169 Reindeer Names: Cute, Funny & Christmas Ideas
Looking for reindeer names? We’ve gathered 169 ideas for Christmas crafts, stuffed animals, ornaments, and story characters, from Santa’s familiar team to cute names like Cocoa and funny ones like Captain Carrot.
If you just need Santa’s reindeer names, they’re Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph. For a reindeer of your own, browse the categories below, then grab the free printable name list to keep your favorites handy.
Need a little reindeer to name? Our felt reindeer ornament is a sweet place to start. Choose a name before you hang it on the tree, or write its name on a small gift tag. You can also use our disguise a reindeer printable to create a character, then pick a name that matches its costume.
What Are Santa’s Reindeer Names?
The familiar Christmas lineup has nine reindeer when you include Rudolph:
- Dasher
- Dancer
- Prancer
- Vixen
- Comet
- Cupid
- Donner
- Blitzen
- Rudolph
The poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, often called The Night Before Christmas, names eight reindeer and uses the spelling Donder. You’ll also see that name written as Donner. Rudolph is the later, red-nosed addition, so the answer to “eight or nine?” depends on which story you mean.
Our Favorite Reindeer Names
For a quick pick, try Cocoa for a cuddly friend, Jingle for a festive ornament, Captain Carrot for a funny character, or Moonbeam for a magical flying reindeer. Ruby works well with a red nose, and Pip is easy for younger kids to say. These favorites are included in the lists below.
Cute Reindeer Names
Naming a soft stuffed animal or a little felt ornament? These cute reindeer names are cozy, sweet, and easy to call across the room. Cocoa suits a brown reindeer, while Button is a lovely fit for a tiny one.
- Cocoa
- Toffee
- Button
- Biscuit
- Snuggles
- Pudding
- Pompom
- Muffin
- Nibbles
- Peanut
- Cuddles
- Truffle
- Waffles
- Honeybun
- Marshmallow
- Cookie
- Peaches
- Taffy
- Sprinkles
- Dumpling
Funny Reindeer Names
A reindeer with wonky antlers deserves a name with a little personality. Try saying these funny reindeer names out loud and let the kids pick the one that makes them laugh. Captain Carrot is a good choice for a snack-loving character!
- Sir Snacks-a-Lot
- Hoof Hearted
- Antler McWiggles
- Clumsy Claus
- Professor Jinglepants
- Captain Carrot
- Hoofin Around
- The Great Rein-dini
- Sleigh Potato
- Tinsel Toes
- Mr. Mistletoes
- Snickerdoodle Snoot
- Wrong-Way Wally
- Count Snackula
- Wobblehoof
- Fluff on the Roof
- Carrot Bandit
- Jingle Belly
- Prance Armstrong
- Snow Problem
Christmas Reindeer Names
These Christmas reindeer names borrow from decorations, holiday treats, and things you might spot around the tree. Jingle and Holly are easy favorites, while Star Topper would suit a reindeer who always wants to be in charge.
- Jingle
- Holly
- Noel
- Tinsel
- Merry
- Jolly
- Carol
- Garland
- Mistletoe
- Peppermint
- Candy Cane
- Gingerbread
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Figgy
- Pudding Pop
- Silver Bells
- Star Topper
- Yule
- Christmas Eve
Building a whole North Pole cast? Pair your reindeer with a character from our Christmas elf names. Let the kids decide who packs the sleigh and who keeps sneaking the cookies.
Winter Reindeer Names
For a snowy story setting, try a name inspired by winter weather or evergreen woods. Flurry feels light and playful; Glacier sounds like a reindeer who takes their time. These also work for winter crafts after Christmas is over.
- Snowflake
- Flurry
- Frost
- Icicle
- Blizzard
- Snowball
- Polar
- Glacier
- Winter
- Alpine
- Aspen
- Evergreen
- Pinecone
- Juniper
- Cedar
- Birch
- Tundra
- Snowdrift
- Northwind
- Frostfern
Girl Reindeer Names
Here are some girl reindeer names for a story character, ornament, or stuffed friend. Ruby is sweet for a red-nosed reindeer, and Ivy pairs nicely with a green scarf. These categories are just starting points; use any name you like.
- Ruby
- Clara
- Stella
- Ivy
- Belle
- Lucy
- Maisie
- Poppy
- Rosie
- Daisy
- Millie
- Elsie
- Freya
- Nora
- Pearl
- Hazel
- Willow
- Flora
- Bonnie
- Lottie
Boy Reindeer Names
These boy reindeer names range from familiar favorites to cozy, old-fashioned choices. Jasper and Finn suit adventurous characters, while Chester might be the reindeer who stays behind to make hot chocolate for everyone.
- Jasper
- Finn
- Oliver
- Theo
- Archie
- Felix
- Oscar
- Leo
- Toby
- Milo
- Benny
- Rusty
- Otis
- Alfie
- Henry
- Louie
- Chester
- Rufus
- Walter
- Max
Baby Reindeer Names
A tiny reindeer needs a name that is just as sweet. Pip, Bean, and Acorn are fun for mini ornaments, while Pocket would be adorable for a small stuffed reindeer that goes everywhere with your child.
- Pip
- Bean
- Tiny
- Little Bell
- Dottie
- Bitty
- Bubbles
- Peep
- Tater Tot
- Teeny Toes
- Fuzzy
- Nugget
- Mini Moose
- Little Sprout
- Acorn
- Petal
- Chickpea
- Pipsqueak
- Little Nuzzle
Magical Reindeer Names
Making up a flying reindeer of your own? These magical names are invented story ideas inspired by stars, snowy skies, and make-believe adventures. Wishkeeper could deliver little wishes, while Cloudskip might still be learning how to land.
- Moonbeam
- Stardust
- Aurora
- Starwhisker
- Velvet Sky
- Cometglow
- Silverglide
- Moonracer
- Wishkeeper
- Nightglimmer
- Cloudskip
- Starlace
- Frostwish
- Winterspell
- Skydancer
- Emberlight
- Crystalhoof
- Twilight
- Northstar
- Dreamdrift
How to Choose a Name for Your Reindeer
Start with three favorites and say each one out loud. A name can sound different when you’re introducing a puppet or telling a story! Then think about what makes your reindeer special.
- Look at the colors. Cocoa suits brown felt, Ruby matches a red nose, and Snowflake works for a white paper reindeer.
- Pick a personality. Is your reindeer shy, speedy, sleepy, or always hungry? Match the name to that one little detail.
- Keep it easy to use. A short name like Pip or Finn is handy for a name tag. A longer name like Professor Jinglepants can become part of the joke.
- Let your child have the last word. The name does not need to be clever or Christmas-themed to feel right.
Fun Ways to Use These Reindeer Names
A name is a simple way to turn a finished craft into a character. You don’t need a whole lesson plan; a few minutes of pretend play or writing is plenty.
- Name a craft. Make our reindeer toilet paper roll craft, write its name on a paper tag, and give it a job at the North Pole.
- Add a reading buddy. Make a reindeer bookmark and let your child introduce it before you start a Christmas book.
- Hold a class vote. Offer three names for a classroom reindeer, tally the votes, and see which one wins.
- Write a tiny adventure. Choose a name, a favorite snack, and one problem. Younger children can draw the scene and tell you what happened; older kids can write a few sentences.
Try this story starter: “My reindeer, ____, was practicing for Christmas Eve when a present fell out of the sleigh. Inside was ____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph are the familiar nine. Donner also appears as Donder in versions of A Visit from St. Nicholas.
There are eight named reindeer in A Visit from St. Nicholas. The familiar lineup becomes nine when you include Rudolph.
Cocoa, Button, Snuggles, Toffee, and Pip are sweet choices. You can match the name to the stuffed animal’s color, size, or personality.
Captain Carrot, Antler McWiggles, Sleigh Potato, Tinsel Toes, and Professor Jinglepants are playful choices for a reindeer craft or character.
Grab the Free Reindeer Names Printable
Grab your free reindeer names printable here! You’ll get one US Letter page with Santa’s reindeer and eight categories of name ideas arranged in four easy-to-read columns. There’s also a space to write your chosen name.
Print the page and let the kids circle their top picks. Use your printer’s “fit to page” setting if the edges look too close to the margins.
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Once your reindeer has a name, give it a friend and a little Christmas adventure. Our snowman names are fun for a snowy sidekick. For another holiday character, take a look at our gingerbread man names.
