Piggy Bank Another Name: What Else Are They Called?

The Secret History of the Piggy Bank: Why Do We Call It That?

When we think of childhood savings, one classic image almost always comes to mind: a plump, ceramic pig with a slot on its back, waiting patiently to be fed coins. But have you ever stopped to wonder why a pig? After all, pigs aren’t particularly known for hoarding wealth or financial prudence.

If you have ever searched for a “piggy bank another name,” you might be surprised to learn that this iconic container goes by many different titles around the world—and its whimsical name actually stems from a curious linguistic accident.

What is Another Name for a Piggy Bank?

Depending on where you are in the world, what material the container is made of, or how formal you want to be, a piggy bank can go by several different names:

• Money Box / Savings Box: The most literal and common alternative, especially in British English.
• Penny Bank: A traditional term highlighting its primary use for holding small change.
• Money Pig / Porcellino: In Italy, savings banks shaped like animals are often affectionately referred to as porcellino (little pig).
• Vault / Treasury (Miniature): A playful, grand title often given to heavy-metal or digital digital safes used by kids.
• Cochinita: In parts of Latin America, miniature ceramic pigs used for saving are called cochinitas (little female pigs).

The Fascinating Origin of the “Pig” in Piggy Bank

The story behind the name is one of the greatest linguistic mix-ups in history. It all starts centuries ago in medieval England, long before modern plastics or glazed ceramics were invented.

1. The Power of “Pygg”

Before the 19th century, household kitchenware—including jars, pots, and containers used to store loose coins—was commonly made from a dense, orange-colored clay known as pygg (pronounced “pug”). People would drop their spare coins into these jars for safekeeping, referring to them simply as “pygg jars” or “pygg banks.”

2. A Linguistic Twist of Fate

Fast forward a few hundred years to the 18th and 19th centuries. The English language evolved, and the word pygg fell out of use as a description for clay, replaced entirely by the word clay or pottery.

However, around the Victorian era, English potters began receiving requests for “pygg banks.” Because the word pygg sounded identical to the animal pig, craftsmen took the request literally. They started molding coin containers in the adorable shape of actual piglets.

The pun caught on like wildfire. What started as a material misinterpretation turned into a beloved global tradition.

Evolution of the Money Box Through the Ages

While the ceramic piglet remains a nostalgic favorite, saving money has taken many forms throughout history:

• Ancient Greek and Roman Pots: Long before European pygg jars, ancient civilizations used terracotta containers with narrow slots to store coins. Some Roman vaults even featured locks.
• The Slot-Top Safe: During the Industrial Revolution, cast-iron mechanical banks became popular in homes and banks, often featuring figures that moved when a coin was inserted.
• Digital and Smart Counters: Today, traditional money boxes have evolved into digital jars with LCD screens that automatically calculate your savings as you drop coins through the slot.

Why the Piggy Bank Still Matters Today

No matter what you call it—a money box, a penny bank, or a piggy bank—the humble coin container plays a surprisingly powerful role in modern life. In an era dominated by contactless payments, tap-to-pay cards, and invisible digital transactions, physical savings banks give children (and adults!) a tangible relationship with money.