Beyond the Pig: The Surprising History and Many Names of the Piggy Bank

When you think of a container meant to hold your spare change, one classic image almost certainly comes to mind: a plump, ceramic pig with a slot on its back and a rubber stopper on its belly. But have you ever wondered why we call it a “piggy bank” when it’s often shaped like a dinosaur, a soccer ball, or a digital safe? And what do people around the world call these beloved repositories of wealth?

As it turns out, the history of the piggy bank is a linguistic happy accident, and its alternative names span centuries, continents, and cultures.

1. The Linguistic Mix-Up: Why a Pig?

To understand the other names for a piggy bank, we first have to understand how the pig got involved in the first place.

Back in 15th-century England, households stored loose coins in jars and pots made from an affordable, dense orange clay known as pygg. People referred to these pots as “pygg jars” or “pygg banks.” Over time, language shifted. By the 18th century, the word pygg evolved into pig, and English potters—likely leaning into a delightful pun—began shaping these coin containers into literal pigs.