Game of Thrones & HOTD Dragon Names

The greatest dragon that ever lived. Balerion's fire could melt stone and his shadow blotted out whole towns. He carried Aegon the Conqueror during the Conquest and lived for over 200 years. His skull was kept in the Red Keep's dragon pit as a trophy — and a warning. The word 'Balerion' has become synonymous with absolute destructive power.

The oldest and largest living dragon during the Dance of Dragons. Originally ridden by Visenya Targaryen during the Conquest. In HOTD, Vhagar is won by Aemond Targaryen after Laena Velaryon's death — a political coup that raises massive tension in the Targaryen family. Her enormous size means she can kill younger dragons in a single encounter.

Daemon Targaryen's iconic mount. Caraxes is distinctive for his elongated, serpentine build — unlike the stockier shape of most dragons. Blood-red, scarred, fast. His bond with Daemon is absolute and famous. Their fatal mutual combat with Vhagar and Aemond Targaryen above the Gods Eye is the defining moment of the Dance of Dragons.

Queen Rhaenyra's dragon, bonded since childhood. Syrax is large and powerful but lacked combat experience — she was kept well-fed, docile, and rarely sent to fight. Her death during the Storming of the Dragonpit — killed by a frenzied mob — was both a shock and a symbol of the war's destruction turning inward.

Rhaenys Targaryen's magnificent mount — widely considered one of the fastest dragons alive. Her brilliant scarlet scales and rose-pink horns made her unmistakable. Her death at Rook's Rest (taken on by both Vhagar and Sunfyre at once) was a turning point in the war — and the death of Rhaenys Targaryen with her.

Aegon II's magnificent dragon — widely described as the most beautiful in living memory. Gold scales, pale gold wing membranes, golden flame with pink highlights. Sunfyre was severely wounded multiple times during the Dance of Dragons, yet refused to die. His survival through multiple serious injuries became legendary, though he died of his wounds within months of the war's end.

One of the largest and oldest dragons during the Dance of Dragons. Long riderless after Jaehaerys I's death, Vermithor was claimed by Hugh Hammer — a dragonseeds (a Targaryen bastard). His enormous size made him one of the most powerful weapons in the conflict. He killed three enemy dragons at Tumbleton before finally being brought down.

Helaena Targaryen's dragon. Pale blue and silver, Dreamfyre was considered graceful and elegant. Her end in the Storming of the Dragonpit is one of the most tragic in the Dance of Dragons — chained in the pit, blinded by a bolt, she went berserk and killed many of the attacking mob before finally being brought down.

Laenor Velaryon's dragon, later claimed by Addam of Hull (a Velaryon bastard). Pale grey, swift. Seasmoke's bond with Laenor was deep; when Laenor 'died' (actually faked his death), Seasmoke refused new riders for years. Addam of Hull's bonding with him was considered proof of his Velaryon/Targaryen blood.

Luke Velaryon's young dragon. Small, white, newly mature. His death at the jaws of Vhagar — ambushed by Aemond Targaryen despite a supposed safe-conduct — is the spark that ignites the Dance of Dragons. The scene in HOTD (Arrax defying Luke's commands and attacking Vhagar) perfectly captures how young dragonriders could not always control their mounts.

Baela Targaryen's young dragon. Small and relatively inexperienced, Moondancer nevertheless attacked the vastly more powerful Sunfyre when Aegon II attempted to escape Dragonstone. She grounded Sunfyre — raking his wing, crippling him — before dying of her burns. Her courage in fighting far above her weight class is legendary.