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Rabbit and guinea pig names, including pairs and groups
Rabbits and guinea pigs are social animals and are usually kept in pairs or small groups, so you will often need two or three names at once. Here are lists that go together.
Why small pets often need matching names
Rabbits and guinea pigs are social, and animal welfare charities generally advise keeping them with company of their own kind rather than alone. That means a name is rarely a single decision. Choosing a theme makes the job easier, and a theme also makes it easy to add a third or fourth member later without having to start again.
Because small pets live close to you, often in the lounge or a garden run, they also hear names a lot. Pick names that sound different from each other, so each animal can tell which is meant when you offer a treat.
Matching pairs for rabbits
- Salt and Pepper
- Bubble and Squeak
- Thelma and Louise
- Peanut and Butter
- Hopper and Skipper
- Tea and Biscuit
- Clover and Thistle
- Flopsy and Mopsy
- Pip and Squeak
- Ant and Dec
- Moss and Fern
- Cheese and Pickle
Matching pairs for guinea pigs
- Sausage and Mash
- Fish and Chips
- Bonnie and Clyde
- Nibble and Squeak
- Pickle and Relish
- Pancake and Waffle
- Gin and Tonic
- Popcorn and Peanut
- Truffle and Cocoa
- Sprout and Parsnip
- Wilma and Betty
- Crumpet and Muffin
Names for a trio or a bigger group
Themes that give you plenty of names:
- Breakfast: Toast, Marmalade, Porridge, Kipper, Bacon, Crumpet.
- Vegetable patch: Carrot, Parsnip, Sprout, Leek, Turnip, Radish, Swede.
- Herbs: Basil, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Dill, Mint.
- Cakes: Victoria, Battenberg, Eccles, Madeira, Bakewell, Lemon Drizzle.
- Chess: Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn, Queen, King.
- Tea: Assam, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Breakfast, Chai, Rooibos.
Names by colour and markings
| Look | Rabbit ideas | Guinea pig ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Sooty, Midnight, Inky, Bramble | Liquorice, Pepper, Blackcurrant, Tar |
| White | Snowball, Cotton, Daisy, Ivory | Marshmallow, Pearl, Milk, Dumpling |
| Brown | Hazel, Conker, Mocha, Biscuit | Toffee, Fudge, Cocoa, Brownie |
| Ginger | Ginger, Maple, Marmalade, Rusty | Satsuma, Clementine, Mango, Custard |
| Spotted or patched | Domino, Patch, Dalmatian, Cookie | Cow, Pinto, Oreo, Splodge |
Names for other small pets
Hamsters, gerbils, rats and degus are often kept differently: some hamsters must live alone, while rats need company. Whatever you have, short names with a clear first sound work well. Ideas: Nibbles, Whiskers, Scamper, Pocket, Acorn, Chestnut, Bean, Dot, Zippy, Mouse, Biscuit, Ferris, Pebble.
Names to avoid for small pets
Skip names that sound like words you use all day, such as "come" or "no", and avoid very long names that you will end up shortening. If you are unsure of the sex, pick a neutral name until you have been told by a vet or an experienced keeper. Also remember that you may add more pets later, so leave room in your theme.
Does the name matter to small animals?
Rabbits and guinea pigs can learn to link a name with food or fuss, and many will come to the sound of their name or a rustling bag. Training takes patience and repetition. Say the name, then offer a small piece of a safe treat or fresh herb. Do it every day and give them time. Never chase them or pick them up in a way that frightens them, or the name will come to mean something stressful. See choosing and teaching a name for step-by-step ideas that work across species.
Where to go next
If you want something with more character, try the unusual and British-themed list, which has plenty of ideas that work for little animals too. For bigger pets, there are lists of cat names and dog names.
Frequently asked questions
Should I name rabbits as a pair?
Many people do, because rabbits are social animals and are usually kept in pairs or groups. Choose names that sound different so each animal can recognise its own.
Can guinea pigs learn their names?
Many guinea pigs learn to link a name or a sound with food, and will squeak or come to the front of the cage when they hear it.
What if I do not know if my pet is male or female?
Choose a name that works for either, such as Pip, Nibble, Biscuit or Clover, until a vet or experienced keeper confirms the sex.