What Is Another Name for a Piggy Bank? Synonyms Explained

What Else Do You Call a Piggy Bank? Exploring Fun Names and the Surprising History of Saving Money

When you think of saving up your spare coins for something special, what do you picture? For most people, it is a little ceramic pig with a slot on its back. But have you ever wondered why we call it a piggy bank in the first place, or what other names people use around the world?

Let’s dive into the fascinating history, alternative names, and creative ways people talk about their favorite places to stash cash.

Alternative Names for a Piggy Bank

Depending on where you live or who you are talking to, a piggy bank goes by several different names:

• Money Box: This is one of the most common alternatives, especially in British English. It is a general term for any container used to store coins.
• Coin Bank / Savings Box: These are straightforward, functional names often used when the container isn’t shaped like an animal.
• Pigs, Porkers, or Swine: In casual conversation, people might affectionately refer to their literal pig-shaped banks by funny nicknames.
• The “Rainy Day” Fund: While this usually refers to an abstract savings account, people often use the term metaphorically for physical jars or boxes meant for emergencies.

Why Is It Called a “Piggy” Bank?

The story behind the name is actually a wonderful linguistic accident!

Centuries ago in England (long before plastic or even mass-produced ceramics), household kitchenware was often made of an affordable, dense orange clay called pygg. People used jars made of this pygg clay to store loose coins, calling them “pygg jars” or “pygg banks.”