What is the Italian name for the prancing horse on Ferrari's logo?

The Italian name for the prancing horse on Ferrari’s logo is Cavallino Rampante. The phrase literally means “little prancing horse,” and it refers to Ferrari’s famous black horse emblem.

The symbol originated with Italian World War I flying ace Francesco Baracca, who displayed a horse on his aircraft. According to Enzo Ferrari’s account, Baracca’s mother, Paolina, suggested that Ferrari use the horse as a good-luck emblem after meeting him. Ferrari adopted it for his racing team in 1932.

The horse appeared on a yellow background, reflecting the color associated with Modena, Enzo Ferrari’s hometown. The shield version also includes the Italian tricolor and the initials SF for Scuderia Ferrari. Ferrari’s first road car to wear the rectangular Ferrari badge was the 125 S in 1947.

Readers sometimes confuse Cavallino Rampante with Scuderia Ferrari. Scuderia Ferrari is the racing organization; Cavallino Rampante is the name of the prancing-horse symbol itself. The emblem also predates Ferrari’s road-car company as a central brand identity.