Beyond the Clay Pig: The Fascinating History and Colorful Names of the Piggy Bank

Drop a coin into a slot, listen to the satisfying clink, and watch your savings grow. Since childhood, most of us have known this trusty companion as a piggy bank. But have you ever wondered why we call a container shaped like anything from a spaceship to a plain box a “piggy”? And more importantly, what are some of the other names people around the world use for this timeless financial sidekick?

From medieval linguistic quirks to global vernaculars, the story behind the names of our favorite saving tool is surprisingly rich.

Why Do We Call It a “Piggy” Bank? (A Quick Linguistic Detour)

Before looking at alternative names, it helps to clear up the great “pig” mystery. Contrary to popular belief, the name didn’t start with a cute animal theme.

Back in 15th-century England, a dense, orange-colored clay used to make pots, jars, and kitchen dishes was called pygg. People used these inexpensive “pygg jars” to store loose coins, referring to them as “pygg banks” (a bank made of pygg).

Fast-forward a few hundred years: the English language shifted, the word pygg faded into obscurity, and potters in the 19th century began taking literal inspiration from the word, crafting coin containers shaped like actual pigs. The clever pun stuck, and a global icon was born.

Alternative Names for a Piggy Bank

Depending on who you ask, where you live, or what material the container is made of, a piggy bank goes by many different names. Here are the most popular and colorful ones:

1. The Classic & Functional Terms

• Coin Box / Money Box: The most straightforward, literal descriptor. Often used in British English, a money box doesn’t imply any specific shape—it can be a locked wooden chest, a plastic cylinder, or a metal tin.
• Saving Box: A modern, encouraging term frequently used in financial literacy tools for kids, emphasizing the action of saving rather than just storage.
• Money Bank: A general term that bridges the gap between a child’s toy and a serious financial institution.

2. Cultural and Regional Names

• Cochinito (Spanish): In many Latin American countries, piggy banks are affectionately called cochinitos (little pigs) or alcancías. The word alcancía actually has Arabic roots, originating from al-kanzi (meaning “the treasure”).
• Tirelire (French): The French word for a money box, tirelire, is an onomatopoeia—meaning the word mimics the sound of coins clinking together inside the container.
• Salbuku / Chgeum-tong (Korean): In Korea, traditional bamboo savings tubes were historically used, while modern containers are generally referred to as jeongeum-tong (savings containers) or simply piggy banks (dwaeji-jeoggeumtong, literally “pig savings barrel”).

3. Material-Specific Names

• Glass Jar / Mason Jar: For many adults, the ultimate piggy bank isn’t shaped like an animal at all; it’s a recycled pickle or mason jar. Watching the physical pile of cash grow through clear glass provides a powerful psychological boost to savers.
• Vault / Safe: Miniature steel or plastic combination-lock safes are popular novelty items that give kids the thrilling sensation of protecting high-stakes treasure.

Why the Name Matters: The Psychology of Saving

No matter what you call it—whether it’s a ceramic pig, a glass jar, or a high-tech digital counter—these vessels serve a vital psychological purpose.