What Is Another Name for a Piggy Bank? Synonyms & More

What Is Another Name for a Piggy Bank? (And Why Do They Look Like Pigs?)

For generations, the humble piggy bank has been a childhood staple, serving as the very first introduction to the concepts of saving, budgeting, and financial patience. But while almost everyone knows what a piggy bank is, the object itself goes by many different names depending on where you grew up, how formal the setting is, or what the container is actually made of.

Whether you are writing a story, looking for vocabulary alternatives, or simply curious about linguistic quirks, here is a complete guide to alternative names for the piggy bank, along with the surprising history of why it takes the shape of a farm animal.

Alternative Names for a Piggy Bank

Depending on the context, you can use several different terms to describe a piggy bank:

1. Descriptive and Functional Names

• Money Box: This is the most common British and international alternative. It simply describes the object without assuming a specific shape or material.
• Coin Bank / Saving Box: A straightforward, modern term often used in retail or educational settings.
• Savings Jar: A popular modern, DIY alternative—often made from a repurposed Mason jar—where people can physically watch their cash stack up.

2. Traditional and Regional Terms

• Penny Bank: A vintage term hailing from an era when copper pennies were the primary currency saved by children.
• Tithe Box / Alms Box: Historically, small clay or wooden boxes used to collect donations in churches or communities. While religious in origin, they share the exact same mechanical lineage as modern savings boxes.
• Cochinito (Spanish): In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the traditional clay piggy bank is affectionately called a cochinito (little pig) or alcancía.

The Surprising Origin of the “Piggy” Name

It is one of the greatest linguistic ironies in history: piggy banks were not originally named after the animal.

In late medieval England (around the 15th century), people stored loose money in jars and pots made from an affordable, dense orange clay called pygg.

When people went to the local potter to buy a jar to hold their coins, they would ask for a “pygg jar.” Over the next few hundred years, the English language evolved. The word pygg for the clay fell out of common use, while the word for the animal (pig) remained.

By the 19th century, English potters—likely leaning into the clever pun—started actually shaping the coin pots into the form of pigs. What started as a linguistic coincidence turned into a literal tradition, giving birth to the pink, porcelain, coin-eating pigs we know today.

Modern Evolution: From Clay to Digital

Today, the concept of the piggy bank has evolved far beyond ceramic farm animals. While ceramic and plastic pigs remain beloved nursery decor, the function of the piggy bank has expanded into the digital age:

• Digital Piggy Banks: Interactive counters and smart devices designed for kids that track digital allowances and savings goals.
• “Virtual” Piggy Banks: Features in modern banking apps that let users automatically round up purchases and siphon spare change into a digital savings sub-account.

Fun Fact: No matter what you call it—a money box, a penny bank, or a digital savings goal—the psychological benefit remains the same. Physically or mentally setting aside small amounts of money builds long-term habits that transition seamlessly into adult budgeting.

Summary

If you are looking for a direct synonym, money box is your best bet for general use, while penny bank offers a charmingly retro vibe. But no matter what you call it, the tradition of dropping spare coins into a container remains a timeless milestone of growing up.