What is Another Name for a Piggy Bank? Synonyms & Terms

What’s in a Name? Exploring the Alternative Names and History of the Piggy Bank

When you think about saving your spare change, a classic pink, ceramic pig immediately comes to mind. But did you know that the iconic “piggy bank” goes by many different names around the world? Whether you call it a quirky receptacle for loose coins or a serious tool for building financial habits, this household staple has a surprisingly diverse vocabulary.

Common Alternative Names for a Piggy Bank

Depending on where you live or who you are talking to, a piggy bank might be referred to by several other names:

• Money Box: This is the most common alternative term, widely used in British English and other English-speaking regions. It strips away the animal imagery entirely, focusing purely on the object’s function.
• Coin Bank / Savings Bank: These are more formal terms often used in retail or educational settings to describe any container designed to store and protect coins.
• The “Kitty”: Often used informally to describe a shared money box or central pool of cash collected by a group for a specific purpose (like a class trip or a group gift).
• Pirly Pig: A fascinating historical Scottish term. In older Scots dialect, a pirly meant to poke or thrust, and these small clay coin containers were affectionately dubbed pirly pigs.

A Brief Look Into History and Etymology

Long before digital banking apps and tap-to-pay cards existed, humans needed a safe place to hoard physical currency.

• Ancient Roots: Ancient Greeks and Romans used ceramic vessels, jars, and offering boxes called thesauroi to safeguard their savings.
• The Linguistic Twist: A popular historical theory suggests that the name “piggy bank” started as a linguistic coincidence. Centuries ago in England, household pots and jars were made from an affordable orange-colored clay called pygg. Over time, as the word pygg fell out of common use, English speakers began associating it with the animal pig, eventually leading potters to mold the containers into actual pig shapes.

Beyond the Pig: Creative Designs Through the Ages

While the pig shape became the ultimate symbol of thrift, money boxes have taken on countless imaginative forms throughout history:

• Globes and Books: Popular in the 19th and 20th centuries to encourage worldly curiosity or studying.
• Safes and Cash Registers: Miniature metal vaults that made saving feel like an official bank job.
• Cultural Symbols: In various cultures, animals like boars or lucky cats (like the Japanese Maneki-neko) have been used as traditional vessels for prosperity and good fortune.

Whether you call it a money box, a coin bank, or a classic piggy bank, these timeless containers remain a fun and tangible way to watch your savings grow.