485 Unique Western Names for Cowboys & Cowgirls

Howdy, y’all! Are y’all racking your brains trying to come up with cool Western nicknames but keep coming up short? Well, don’t squat with your spurs on–we’re here to help! In this article, we’ve gathered all the best cowboy and cowgirl names inspired by colorful characters of the Wild West, plus helpful tips on how to choose the perfect name for you. We’ve even included names of the most famous (and infamous folks of the American frontier and what they’re known for. Giddyup, partners!

Best Cowboy & Outlaw Nicknames

For Guys: Boone, Chet, Ryder, Sawyer, Tex
For Girls: Cassidy, Cheyenne, Savannah, Sterling
Famous: Belle Starr, Billy the Kidd, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp
Unique: Atticus, Jaxon, Phineas, Remington, Thaddeus
Funny: Bootleg, Lasso, Moonshine, Pigtails, Scooter
Nature-inspired: Bronco, Cypress, Jasper, Redwood

Section 1 of 9:

Cowboy & Western Nicknames for Guys

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These rugged Western-inspired names are perfect for any cowpoke. Whether you’re looking for a name for yourself, your unborn buckaroo, or a character in a Western story, we reckon we’ve got you covered. Scroll down yonder for options that are perfect for the saddle-worn gunslinger in your life!
- Angus
- Arizona
- Austin
- Arlo
- Barlow
- Bart
- Beau
- Billy
- Blake
- Boone
- Brock
- Brody
- Brooks
- Bryce
- Buster
- Butch
- Carson
- Carter
- Cash
- Chance
- Chet
- Chevy
- Clay
- Clint
- Clive
- Cody
- Cole
- Colt
- Colton
- Cooper
- Corbin
- Craig
- Dale
- Dallas
- Dalton
- Dawson
- Denver
- Duke
- Dustin
- Dusty
- Dwight
- Dylan
- Earl
- Easton
- Eli
- Ellis
- Emerson
- Emmett
- Everett
- Finn
- Flynn
- Ford
- Forrest
- Garth
- Garrett
- Gentry
- Gil
- Grady
- Graham
- Grant
- Hank
- Hayden
- Hayes
- Heath
- Hollis
- Houston
- Hudson
- Hunter
- Ira
- Irving
- Isaac
- Jace
- Jackson
- Jeb
- Jefferson
- Jesse
- Jethro
- Jett
- Jim
- Johnson
- Josiah
- Judd
- Kane
- Kendrick
- Kit
- Kurtis
- Landon
- Lane
- Leroy
- Levi
- Logan
- Lucas
- Lyle
- Mack
- Marshall
- Mason
- Maxwell
- Micah
- Mitchell
- Montgomery
- Nash
- Nathaniel
- Nolan
- Norris
- Oren
- Otis
- Owen
- Patton
- Paxton
- Pierce
- Porter
- Quincy
- Quint
- Randy
- Ranger
- Reed
- Reese
- Rhett
- Roscoe
- Roy
- Royce
- Ryder
- Sawyer
- Scout
- Shane
- Shaw
- Sheldon
- Sky
- Skyler
- Sterling
- Sullivan
- Tad
- Tanner
- Tate
- Taylor
- Tex
- Toby
- Trace
- Travis
- Trenton
- Tripp
- Tucker
- Tyrell
- Vance
- Vaughn
- Vernon
- Virgil
- Wade
- Walker
- Wayne
- Wesley
- Weston
- Wyatt
- Yates
- Zachary
- Zak
- Zane

Section 2 of 9:

Cowboy & Western Nicknames for Girls

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These purdy girl names are perfect for any prairie rose or wild filly. History books tend to focus more on the men of the American Wild West, but there were plenty of famous frontier women, as well. Books, movies, and stories are filled with the names of these pistol-packin’ mamas and rodeo queens. Here are some of our faves:
- Abilene
- Abbie
- Ada
- Adelaide
- Aggie
- Alabama
- Annie
- Arizona
- Augusta
- Autumn
- Bailey
- Bellamy
- Belle
- Betsy
- Betty
- Billie
- Birdie
- Blake
- Bonnie
- Calamity
- Callie
- Cassidy
- Charlie
- Cheyenne
- Clara
- Claudette
- Clementine
- Clover
- Corrie
- Daisy
- Dakota
- Dallas
- Dandelion
- Darcy
- Della
- Delta
- Dinah
- Dixie
- Dolly
- Eliaa
- Emmaline
- Etta
- Fannie
- Franny
- Ginger
- Ginny
- Grace
- Greer
- Hadley
- Hannah
- Harper
- Hattie
- Hazel
- Hettie
- Indiana
- Iris
- Jane
- Jessamine
- Jolene
- Josephine
- Josie
- June
- Kit
- Kitty
- Lainey
- Laramie
- Liberty
- Loretta
- Louisa
- Lula
- Lynn
- Mabel
- Mae
- Maggie
- Magnolia
- Maisie
- Maude
- Millie
- Molly
- Montana
- Nellie
- Nevada
- Oakley
- Paisley
- Pearl
- Peyton
- Piper
- Prairie
- Polly
- Riley
- Rio
- Ruby
- Ruthie
- Sacagawea
- Sadie
- Sallie
- Sassy
- Savannah
- Scarlett
- Sedona
- Shasta
- Shiloh
- Sierra
- Sky
- Skylar
- Star
- Sterling
- Summer
- Sutton
- Tallulah
- Tatum
- Taylor
- Texas
- Violet
- Virginia
- Willa
- Wynonna

Section 3 of 9:

Unique Cowboy & Western Nicknames

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For a more distinctive outlaw or wrangler, try one of these names. Many famous names from the Wild West can feel pretty repetitive–for example, the sheer number of Bill/Billy/William variations is astronomical! Check down yonder if you’re looking for Western names that will stand out at your local watering hole.
- Atticus
- Blaze
- Bowen
- Clive
- Colter
- Deacon
- Dixon
- Dutton
- Elias
- Gunner
- Huck
- Jaxon
- Justice
- Keystone
- Knox
- Lincoln
- Loyal
- Lucky
- Maverick
- McCoy
- Montana
- Parker
- Powell
- Quade
- Quest
- Quill
- Quinlan
- Ransom
- Rebel
- Remington
- Reno
- Riggs
- Shiloh
- Sierra
- Silver
- Stetson
- Sundance
- Sutton
- Tecova
- Tracker
- Twister
- Ulysses
- Union
- Upton
- Uriah
- Valentine
- Walker
- Waylon
- Wilbur
- Wilder
- Willard
- Winchester
- Woodsman
- Yancey
- Zander
- Zeke

Section 4 of 9:

Nature-Inspired Cowboy Nicknames

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Try a memorable name inspired by the ultimate gunslinger–Mother Nature. To be a cowboy (or an outlaw) worth your salt in the Wild West, you should feel at home living, working, and traveling in the great outdoors. Nature boasts some of the most memorable Western-inspired nicknames around, so choose one that inspires you.
- Alpine
- Aspen
- Bronco
- Buck
- Canyon
- Cedar
- Cliff
- Cypress
- Falcon
- Forest
- Flint
- Freckles
- Granite
- Hawk
- Jasper
- Lark
- Marsh
- Mason
- Meadow
- Prairie
- Redwood
- Ridge
- River
- Sage
- Stone
- Talon
- Terra
- Thunder
- Timber
- West
- Westwind
- Willow
- Yarrow
- Yearling
- Yellowstone
- Yosemite

Section 5 of 9:

Funny Cowboy & Western Nicknames

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For something a bit more comical, try one of these side-splittin’ options. Being a cowboy was serious business, but some of their nicknames were anything but! If you’re feeling plumb tuckered out by the more standard Western names out there, go with something tongue-in-cheek, partner.
- Big Guns
- Bingo Joe
- Biscuit-Eatin’ Bill
- Bootlegger
- Bounty Hunter
- Buckaroo
- Ol’ Cactus
- Chaps
- Dynamite
- Giddyup
- Gunpowder
- Gunslinger
- Horse Whisperer
- Hustler
- Jellybean
- Lasso
- Moonshine
- Mustang
- Hot Pepper
- Pigtails
- Pony
- Puddles
- Rattlesnake
- Reckless
- Rustler
- Scooter
- Sharpshooter
- Shorty
- Shotgun
- Sidesaddler
- Skedaddle
- Slick
- Snickers
- Spud
- The Tamer
- Tombstone
- Toot the Kidd
- Tornado
- Trailblazer
- Tumbleweed
- Vagabond
- Viper Belly
- Whiskey Pete
- Wrangler
- Yellerjacket
- Zedekiah

Section 6 of 9:

Religious or Biblical Cowboy Nicknames

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Religion played a significant role among folks of the American frontier. If you’ve ever thought certain biblical names have a bit of a country twang to them, you weren’t imagining it! Back in the day, the God-fearing trailblazers of the Old West often gave their children names inspired by or taken straight from the Bible.
- Amos
- Delilah
- Eli
- Elias
- Elijah
- Ezekiel
- Gideon
- Isaac
- Jedediah
- Jeremiah
- Jericho
- Josiah
- Phineas
- Shiloh
- Silas
- Thaddeus
- Tobias
- Uriah
- Zeb
- Zion

Section 7 of 9:

Famous Cowboys & Lawmen

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The Wild West is filled with absolute legends with cool names. If you want to rustle up a name inspired by a real-life folk hero, look no further. Here are some of the most famous cowboys, rangers, gunslingers, and lawmen of the American Wild West (and what they’re famous for):
- Annie Oakley: Expert marksman and rodeo performer.^{[1]
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- Bass Reeves: One of the first Black U.S. Deputy Marshals west of the Mississippi who famous for arresting fugitives.^{[2]
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- Ben Johnson: Cowboy, rodeo champion, and actor.^{[3]
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- Bill Doolin: Started as a cowboy, then became a famous outlaw. Leader of the Wild Bunch gang.^{[4]
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- Calamity Jane (born Martha Jane Canary): Frontier icon, shooter, and rider who shunned gender stereotypes.^{[5]
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- Charles Goodnight: Cowboy, cattle rancher, and trailblazer who founded the Goodnight-Loving Trail.^{[6]
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- Doc Holliday: Dentist turned gambler and gunslinger who was at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.^{[7]
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- Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton: Military scout and sheriff who inspired Oklahoma State’s “Pistol Pete” mascot.^{[8]
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- Fred Whitfield: World Champion African-American rodeo cowboy famous for calf roping.^{[9]
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- Gene Autry: The “Singing Cowboy” on radio, film, and television.^{[10]
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- George Scarborough: Texas cattleman and sheriff who was known for deadly shootouts.^{[11]
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- Jackie Worthington: Legendary female rodeo cowgirl and rancher.^{[12]
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- James “Wild Bill” Hickok: Famous gunfighter, marshal, and scout.^{[13]
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- John Chisum: Southwestern cowboy, cattle baron, and cattle trail pioneer.^{[14]
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- John Hicks Adams: Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California, known for tracking outlaws and stagecoach robbers.^{[15]
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- John "Pink" Higgins: Texan rancher and gunfighter known for feuds and law enforcement work.^{[16]
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- John Hughes: Texas Ranger captain who was famous for tracking and gunfighting (and who may have been the inspiration for the Lone Ranger).^{[17]
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- José Chavez y Chavez: Mexican-American cowboy and tracker who was associated with Billy the Kid's gang.^{[18]
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- Lucille Mulhall: One of the first female rodeo stars; she’s known as the "First Cowgirl."^{[19]
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- Montie Montana: Cowboy, trick rider, and roper.^{[20]
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- Nat Love ("Deadwood Dick"): Former slave who became a legendary cowboy and storyteller.^{[21]
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- Oliver Loving: Cowboy and partner of Charles Goodnight on the Goodnight-Loving Trail.^{[22]
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- Patrick Floyd "Pat" Garrett: Lawman & sheriff known for killing Billy the Kid.^{[23]
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- Slim Pickens: Rodeo cowboy and famous Western film actor.^{[24]
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- Tad Lucas: Rodeo cowgirl known for trick and bronc riding.^{[25]
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- Tex Ritter: Cowboy, country singer, and actor known for his Western-themed songs.^{[26]
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- Tom Mix: Cowboy, silent film star, and rodeo performer.^{[27]
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- Tom Threepersons: Cherokee lawman and Prohibition agent.^{[28]
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  U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  U.S. federal law enforcement agency dealing with crimes related to firearms and alcohol and tobacco products
  
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- Will Rogers: Cowboy, humorist, and performer known for rope tricks and entertaining social commentary.^{[29]
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- William “Bill” Pickett: African-American & Native American cowboy, rodeo performer who invented bulldogging.^{[30]
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- Wyatt Earp: Lawman and legend who was a part of the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.^{[31]
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Section 8 of 9:

Famous Wild West Outlaws

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The Old West is chock full of infamous characters, as well. The American frontier was a dangerous place with ambiguous laws and too few sheriffs to go around. Criminals, vagabonds, saloon dwellers, and varmints–the Wild West was riddled with these colorful characters!
- Belle Starr: Notorious female outlaw, aka the "Bandit Queen," famous for horse theft and harboring criminals.^{[32]
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- Billy the Kid (Henry McCarty): Famous gunslinger who was eventually caught and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett.^{[33]
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- Buckshot Roberts: Gunfighter best known for his final shootout during the Lincoln County War.^{[34]
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- Buckskin Frank Leslie: Gunslinger and saloon owner in Tombstone.^{[35]
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- Butch Cassidy (Robert Leroy Parker): Wild Bunch gang leader who was known for robbing banks and trains.^{[36]
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- Crawford "Cherokee Bill" Goldsby: Outlaw who was hanged for murders in Indian Territory.^{[37]
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  US National Park Service
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- "Dynamite" Dan Clifton: Bank robber who used explosives in heists and was killed by lawmen.^{[38]
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- Emmett Dalton: Well-known member of the Dalton Gang.^{[39]
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  US National Park Service
  Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments
  
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- George "Bittercreek" Newcomb: Member of the Wild Bunch and Dalton Gang who was killed by bounty hunters.^{[40]
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- Harry "Sundance Kid" Longabaugh: Criminal partner of Butch Cassidy.^{[41]
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- Harvey "Kid Curry" Logan: Wild Bunch member known for his excellent aim and violent streak.^{[42]
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- Jack Powers: Gambler and gang leader in California who was accused of robbery and murder.^{[43]
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- Jesse James: Legendary outlaw and Confederate guerrilla who led the James-Younger Gang.^{[44]
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- José Doroteo "Pancho Villa" Arango Arámbula: Revolutionary general and raider who was seen as both a hero and an outlaw.^{[45]
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- Nathaniel "Texas Jack" Reed: Train robber who later became a well-known preacher.^{[46]
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- Billy Clanton: Cowboy and gunfighter who was at the famed Gunfight at the OK Corral.^{[47]
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- Richard H. "Rattlesnake Dick" Barter: California outlaw known for robbing stagecoaches.^{[48]
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- Sandy King: Rustler affiliated with Arizona's outlaw Cowboy faction.^{[49]
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- "Shotgun" John Collins: Stagecoach and train robber known for hold-ups.^{[50]
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- Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum: Outlaw gang leader.^{[51]
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- "Wild Bill" Longley: Texas gunman who killed at least 30 men and was hanged for murder.^{[52]
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- William C. "Outlaw Bill" Moore: Infamous outlaw.^{[53]
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- William "Tulsa Jack" Blake: Wild Bunch gang member and train robber.^{[54]
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- William "Bronco Bill" Walters: Train robber and gang leader in New Mexico.^{[55]
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Section 9 of 9:

Best Tips for Choosing a Cowboy Name

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1
Pick a name that highlights your favorite personality trait. Choosing a cowboy name is all about getting into character–what character traits do you want to embody or exude? Are you a smooth talker, a gritty wrangler, or a savage storyteller? Are you always laughing or making bets? Draw inspiration from a trait that makes you stand out. For example:
- Are you quiet but dangerous? Creepin’ Cooper, Silent Strike, Snakebite Billy, Deadly Jack
- Do you have a temper? Fiery Franny, Hellfire Hollis, Grizzly Gil, Spitfire Sal, Mad Dog
- Are you a clever talker? Slick Dusty, Hustlin’ Hal, Chet the Charmer, Sideways Sammy
- Are you known for your kindness? Gentle Jasper, Tender Tex, True Blue Boone, Wildheart
2
Try something that emphasizes a physical trait. If there’s something about your appearance that you’re known for or that you want to highlight, use that as inspiration for your Western name. Almost any descriptor can have a country twang if you style it just right! For instance:
- If you’re tall and lean: Slim McCoy, Lanky Laramie, Ol’ Beanstalk
- If you’re always smiling: Grinnin’ Grady, Laughin’ Lou, Hank the Hoot
- If you’re a stylish dresser: Brass Buckle Bill, Lee “Fancy Boots” McGee, Dapper Dan
3
Base your name on a particular action or skillset. If you’d rather be known for something that you’re really good at, draw on that for inspiration. This is especially true if you have a skill that the Wild West crowd would have valued–but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a cowboy skill! For example:
- If you’re a great on horseback: Long Trot Leroy, Canterin’ Clive, Sidesaddle Savannah
- If you’re skilled with a gun: Sal “Sharpshooter” McGill, Dead-Eye Darrell, Quickdraw Buck
- If you’re good at poker: Billy “The Ace” Hardwood, Lucky Lyle, All-In Annie, Snake Eyes Sully
- If you’re an outlaw or criminal: Pickpocket Pierce, Snatchin’ Sid, The Ghost, The Payday Kid
4
Yeehaw, y’all–just have fun with it! Cowboys and outlaws aren’t known for being overthinkers. In fact, they tend to be quick on their feet and act on instinct. There’s nothing wrong with putting in time to consider the perfect Western name, of course, but try not to dwell on it too long. You want it to feel natural rather than contrived, partner!