What Is Another Name for a Piggy Bank?

The Many Names of the Piggy Bank: Why Do We Call It That?

When you think of a traditional container for saving spare coins, chances are a little ceramic pig immediately comes to mind. But have you ever wondered why we call it a “piggy bank” when it isn’t always a pig, and why it has so many different names around the world?

Language, history, and a bit of linguistic confusion have all played a fascinating role in shaping what we call our favorite coin collectors. Let’s take a journey into the history, synonyms, and cultural variations of this iconic household object.

Alternative Names for a Piggy Bank

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

• Money Box / Coin Box: The most literal and widespread alternative. In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, “money box” is often the preferred term for any container designed to hold savings, regardless of its shape.
• Saving Box: A straightforward description emphasizing its primary purpose—accumulating wealth over time, penny by penny.
• Penny Bank: A nostalgic term reminiscent of simpler times when copper pennies were the primary currency dropped into the slot.
• Vault / Miniature Vault: Often used for metal or novelty locking banks designed to look like bank safe doors, appealing to children who want to feel like serious bankers.

The Surprising Origin of the “Piggy Bank”

The story behind the name “piggy bank” is one of the greatest linguistic happy accidents in history. It doesn’t actually start with farm animals; it starts with clay.

During the late Middle Ages in Europe (around the 15th century), metal was expensive, so household kitchenware and storage jars were commonly made from a dense, orange-colored clay called pygg. People used these pygg jars to store loose change, referring to them as “pygg banks” (a “bank” simply being a general term for a shelf or container used for money storage).

Fast forward a few hundred years to the 19th century. The original meaning of the word pygg had faded entirely from everyday memory, and English potters began receiving requests for “pig banks.” Misinterpreting the request, clever artisans started crafting the containers into the literal shape of pigs. The pun was a massive hit, and a delightful tradition was born!

Regional Variations Around the World

While English speakers debate between “piggy bank” and “money box,” other cultures have equally colorful terms and traditions for saving coins:

• Latin America & Spain (Alcancía): Derived from Arabic origins, this word is deeply tied to the traditional earthenware pots used for centuries to hide savings.
• Germany (Sparschwein): Literally translating to “saving pig,” the Germans embrace the pig motif just as strongly as English speakers. In fact, in Germany, giving a Sparschwein as a gift is a traditional symbol of wishing someone good luck and prosperity.
• Japan (Chokinbako): Meaning literally “savings box,” these range from high-tech digital counting banks to traditional ceramic cats (Maneki-neko) believed to bring wealth.

From Clay Pigs to Digital Vaults

Today, the “piggy bank” has evolved far beyond its humble ceramic roots. While classic pink pigs with rubber stoppers on the bottom remain a staple of childhood, modern saving containers include digital coin-counters, biometric password-protected safes, and even apps that act as virtual piggy banks for the cashless generation.