Rodents have been a part of human life for centuries, whether it be as pests or beloved pets. As such, many cultures have developed names that are inspired by these small mammals.
While it’s not common to name a child after a rodent, there are plenty of names that have meanings related to mice, rats, or rodents.
Personally I would never name my child after mouse or rat casually and will advise the same for everyone else, except for when used as a pun or nickname.
Mouse and rat are considered very lowly creatures, and it would be inappropriate to name a child after them as it may lead to teasing and bullying.
But that does not mean there can’t be good names inspired by these animals. Further they are great additions to names for novel or story characters.
In this article, we will explore some of the most interesting and unique names that have meanings related to mice, rats, or rodents.
Girls Names That Mean Mouse, Mice, Rat
1. Maus
Origin: German
Meaning: Mouse
This name is derived from the German word for mouse, making it a unique and uncommon name for a girl. It can also be spelled as “Maus”, which adds a more playful and whimsical touch to the name.
2. Ratoncita
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Little Rat
Ratoncita is the diminutive form of the Spanish word for rat, “rata”. It can be a cute and endearing name for a little girl.
3. Krysa
Origin: Czech and Slovak
Meaning: Mouse
This name may sound unusual to English speakers, but it is a popular name in Czech and Slovak cultures. It is derived from the word “krysa”, which means mouse or rat.
4. Kestrel
Origin: English
Meaning: A small, swift bird of prey (also known as a Sparrowhawk)
While this name does not directly mean mouse, it is inspired by the habits and movements of mice and rats. Kestrels are known for their swift and agile movements, just like these small rodents.
5. Shu
Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Rat or Mouse
In Chinese culture, the rat is seen as a symbol of intelligence and resourcefulness. As such, the name Shu can be a powerful choice for a girl, as it represents these traits.
6. Miki
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Hopeful Child or Beautiful Tree
While this name does not have a direct meaning related to rodents, it is derived from the word “mikizuki”, which means crescent moon and is often associated with mice in Japanese folklore.
7. Fievel
Origin: Yiddish
Meaning: Bright One or Shining One
This name gained popularity after the release of the animated film “An American Tail” where the main character is a mouse named Fievel.
8. Remy
Origin: French
Meaning: Oarsman or Remedy
This name has gained popularity in recent years due to the lovable rat protagonist in the movie “Ratatouille”. It is a strong and charming choice for a girl’s name.
9. Hamtaro
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Little Hamster
Hamtaro is a popular character in Japanese manga and anime, known for his adventurous spirit and cute antics. This name can be a fun and unique choice for a girl.
10. Mosley
Origin: English
Meaning: From the Mouse Meadow
While this name is not directly related to mice or rats, it has a subtle connection as it is derived from an Old English surname meaning “from the mouse meadow”.
11. Chuhiya
Origin: Hindi
Meaning: Mouse
Chuhiya is a cute and playful name for a girl, as it means mouse in Hindi. It can also be spelled as “Chuhia” or “Choohea”.
12. Krysa
Origin: Polish
Meaning: Mouse or Rat
Similar to the Czech and Slovak version, this name is derived from the word “krysa” which means mouse or rat in Polish. It can be a unique and unexpected choice for a girl’s name.
13. Rizzo
Origin: Italian and English
Meaning: Curly-haired or Little Branch
In Italian, “rizzo” means curly-haired or frizzy. In the famous musical “Grease”, Rizzo is a character known for her sharp wit and rebellious nature.
14. Squeak
Origin: English
Meaning: High-pitched Cry or Sound
While this name may not have a direct meaning related to mice or rats, it is often associated with their high-pitched squeaks. It can be a fun and playful choice for a girl’s name.
15. Voleska
Origin: Slavic
Meaning: Little Vole (a type of small rodent)
This name may not be as commonly known, but it is a beautiful and unique choice for a girl. It is derived from the word “vol” which means vole in Slavic languages.
16. Miško
Origin: Croatian and Slovene
Meaning: Little Mouse or Bear Cub
In Croatian and Slovene, “miško” is a diminutive form of the word for mouse, “miš”. It can also be a cute nickname for a little girl.
17. Nezumi
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Mouse or Rat
Similar to the Chinese name Shu, Nezumi is also derived from the word for mouse or rat in Japanese. It can be a strong and unique choice for a girl’s name.
18. Toeba
Origin: Native American
Meaning: Mouse or Rat
This name comes from the Miwok tribe in California, where “toeba” means mouse or rat. It can be a meaningful and culturally significant choice for a girl’s name.
19. Rattie
Origin: English
Meaning: Like a Rat or Little Rat
This name may be a bit unconventional, but it can be a cute and endearing choice for a girl. It is derived from the word “rat” with the diminutive suffix “-ie”.
20. Topo
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Mouse or Mole
In Italian, “topo” means mouse or mole, making it a unique and uncommon name for a girl. It can also be spelled as “Topeau” or “Topi”.
Boy Names That Mean Mouse, Mice, Rat
1. Mickey
Origin: English
Meaning: Who is like God?
This name gained popularity due to the iconic Disney character Mickey Mouse. It can be a playful and charming choice for a boy’s name.
2. Ratul
Origin: Bengali and Hindi
Meaning: Like a Mouse or Rat
This name is derived from the word “rat” which means mouse or rat in Bengali and Hindi. It can be a strong and unique choice for a boy’s name.
3. Mordax
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Bold or Fierce (also the name of a type of rat)
In addition to being the name of a type of rat, Mordax also has a strong and powerful meaning in Latin. It can be a unique and meaningful choice for a boy’s name.
4. Mousa
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Mouse or Rat
This name may not be as commonly used, but it has a strong meaning in Arabic as it is derived from the word for mouse or rat. It can also be spelled as “Musa” or “Moosa”.
5. Whisker
Origin: English
Meaning: Bristly Hairs on the Face of an Animal
While this name may not have a direct meaning related to rodents, it can be associated with their signature whiskers. It can be a unique and quirky choice for a boy’s name.
6. Jerry
Origin: Hebrew and English
Meaning: Strong or Exalted by God
This name gained popularity after the animated show “Tom and Jerry” where a cheeky mouse named Jerry outwits a cat. It can be a playful and strong choice for a boy’s name.
7. Gizmo
Origin: English
Meaning: Small Gadget or Mechanism
While this name is not directly related to rodents, it can be associated with their curious and resourceful nature. It gained popularity after the movie “Gremlins” where one of the main characters is a friendly pet mouse named Gizmo.
8. Musakka
Origin: Turkish
Meaning: Little Mouse or Rat
In Turkish, “musakka” is derived from the word for mouse, “fare”. It can be a unique and charming choice for a boy’s name.
9. Stuart
Origin: English
Meaning: Steward or Guardian
This name may not have a direct meaning related to rodents, but it gained popularity due to the charming little mouse character in E.B. White’s book “Stuart Little”. It can also be spelled as “Stewart” or “Steuart”.
10. Praetor
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Leader or Ruler (also the name of a type of rat)
In addition to being the name of a type of rat, Praetor also carries a strong meaning in Latin as it was a title given to Roman magistrates. It can be a powerful and unique choice for a boy’s name.
11. Scurry
Origin: English
Meaning: To Move Quickly or Hastily
While this name may not have a direct meaning related to rodents, it can be associated with their fast and agile movements. It can be a unique and energetic choice for a boy’s name.
12. Nibbler
Origin: English
Meaning: One who Bites or Gnaws
This name may not be as commonly used, but it is a fun and playful choice for a boy’s name. It can also be associated with the way rodents nibble on food.
13. Nibbles
Origin: English
Meaning: Small Bites or Nips
Another name for Jerry’s adorable nephew in Tom and Jerry. It can be a cute and endearing choice for a boy’s name, especially for those who love the classic cartoon.
14. Gustavo
Origin: Spanish and Portuguese
Meaning: Staff of the Goths (also the name of a type of rat)
In addition to its strong meaning, Gustavo is also the name of a type of rat found in South America. It can be a unique and powerful choice for a boy’s name.
15. Squeaky
Origin: English
Meaning: High-Pitched Noise or Sound
While this name may not have a direct meaning related to rodents, it can be associated with their high-pitched squeaks. It can be a fun and playful choice for a boy’s name.
16. Rizzo
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Curly Haired (also the name of a rat in The Muppets)
In addition to being the name of a beloved character in The Muppets, Rizzo also has a cool and unique meaning in Italian. It can be a quirky and memorable choice for a boy’s name.
17. Speedy
Origin: English
Meaning: Moving or Acting Quickly
This name gained popularity due to the speedy mouse character in the Looney Tunes cartoon. It can be a fun and energetic choice for a boy’s name.
18. Splinter
Origin: English
Meaning: Thin Piece of Wood or Bone (also the name of a rat in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
In addition to being the name of a wise and fatherly rat in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Splinter also has a unique meaning that can be associated with rodents.
19. Roquefort
Origin: French
Meaning: Strong and Pungent Cheese (also the name of a type of rat)
In addition to being a delicious cheese, Roquefort is also the name of a type of rat found on the island of Madagascar. It can be an offbeat and unique choice for a boy’s name.
20. Templeton
Origin: English
Meaning: Farm with a Temple (also the name of a rat in Charlotte’s Web)
In addition to being the name of a greedy and sneaky rat in Charlotte’s Web, Templeton also has a strong and unique meaning. It can be a bold and memorable choice for a boy’s name.
21. Scabbers
Origin: English
Meaning: Someone who Gets into Trouble or is a Scoundrel (also the name of a rat in Harry Potter)
In addition to being Ron Weasley’s pet rat in the Harry Potter series, Scabbers also has a mischievous and cunning meaning. It can be a fun and unique choice for a boy’s name.
22. Ratigan
Origin: English
Meaning: Descendant of Raed (also the name of a rat in The Great Mouse Detective)
In addition to being the cunning villain in The Great Mouse Detective, Ratigan also has a strong and powerful meaning. It can be a unique and bold choice for a boy’s name.
Conclusion
As we can see, there are many unique and meaningful names that are associated with rodents.
While naming a child after a mouse or rat may not be the best idea, there are plenty of unique and interesting names that have meanings related to these small animals.
Whether it’s a name inspired by their physical features, personalities, or simply a popular character, these names are sure to make a statement.
So when looking for a unique and meaningful name for your little one, don’t overlook the world of rodents!
They may just have the perfect name waiting for you.
