Discover the 104 Best Names for Your Pet Rat

Grey and white dumbo rat with a stuffed rat doll in a dress
iStock.com/Irina Ilina

Written by Nina Phillips

Published: December 6, 2023

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If you’re looking to get a pet rat, one of the first things you have to do is decide on a name. There are a lot of names to choose from, but these 104 are sure to help you pick the very best one for your new little rodent companion.

25 Endearing Rat Names

Two brown rats peeking out from a hiding place

Rats are often cute and quirky and need the perfect name to represent that.

Have the most adorable little rat and want to make sure you find the perfect name? These names fit the funniest and the cutest of rats.

  1. Sweetie
  2. Sneakers
  3. Snickerdoodle
  4. Snuggles
  5. Pip
  6. Patches
  7. Squeak
  8. Nibbles
  9. Rat Damon
  10. Cheesewiz
  11. Julius Cheesar
  12. Snitches
  13. Ratstein
  14. Samuel Whiskers
  15. Nigel Ratburn
  16. Cheeseball
  17. Ratrick Swayze
  18. Rat Lauer
  19. Ratzilla
  20. The Great Ratsby
  21. Ratman
  22. Catnip
  23. Ratticus Finch
  24. Ratsafarian
  25. McCheesy

7 Myth-Based Rat Names

Phorcys

Rats weren’t always associated with destruction and disease in mythology.

If you love myths, you may want a myth-based rat name. These give your rat a name to ensure they live on in history. Some are unique and some have connections with rats you might not have ever realized. Either way, it’s the perfect way to celebrate your rat and your love of myths.

  1. ColoColo (An evil rat-like beast from Mapuche mythology)
  2. Ganesh (A Hindu god often shown riding a rat)
  3. Mooshika (The rat that Ganesha rides)
  4. Arimanius (a Greek deity that favored rats)
  5. Gertrude (A saint or abbess who is depicted with rats and mice running around her)
  6. Daikoku (A Japanese patron of wealth and farmers often surrounded by rats)
  7. Karni Mata (A reincarnation of Durga, a Hindu goddess, the patroness of rats)

24 Food Names for Your Rat

New York, United Stated; 11 23 2017: Rat seen eating seeds in Central Park

Rats are hungry little critters, so why not give them a name to do with food?

Do you like food? If so, you and your rat have something in common. Show how you and your rat bond with these 24 cute food names for your rat.

  1. Muffin
  2. Popcorn
  3. Caramel
  4. Nacho
  5. Biscuit
  6. Basil
  7. Peanut
  8. Pretzel
  9. Sushi
  10. Noodle
  11. Coconut
  12. Pepper
  13. Cookie
  14. Cornflake
  15. Cheerio
  16. Bagel
  17. Parsley
  18. Berry
  19. Lemon
  20. Almond
  21. Marshmallow
  22. Plum
  23. Celery
  24. Oats

32 Famous Rat Names

Cartoon Mouse Sleeping (Best Books About Mice)

There are depictions of rats and mice in movies, TV shows, and books.

If you want your rat to be a shining star and serve as a nod to some of your favorite rats from TV, books, and movies, one of these names is sure to be just what you’re looking for. Some of these names are made for mice but still work well for a rat.

  1. Rattus P. Rattus (From The Ferals)
  2. Ratbert (From Dilbert)
  3. Nicodemus (From The Secret of NIMH)
  4. Ratigan (From The Great Mouse Detective)
  5. Splinter (From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
  6. Templeton (From Charlotte’s Web)
  7. Stuart (From Stuart Little)
  8. Maisy (From Maisy Mouse)
  9. Mr. Gangles (From The Green Mile)
  10. Rizzo (From The Muppet Show)
  11. Fievel (From An American Tail)
  12. Tanya (From An American Tail)
  13. Remy (From Ratatouille)
  14. Reepicheep (From The Chronicles of Narnia)
  15. Roquefort (From Aristocats)
  16. Olivia (From The Great Mouse Detective)
  17. Scabbers (From Harry Potter)
  18. Brisby (From The Secret of NIMH)
  19. Pinky (From Pinky and the Brain)
  20. Roddy (From Flushed Away)
  21. Bridget (From An American Tail)
  22. Rite (From Flushed Away)
  23. Brain (From Pinky and the Brain)
  24. Gadget (From Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers)
  25. Bianca (From The Rescuers)
  26. Pikachu (From Pokemon)
  27. Gus (From Cinderella)
  28. Jaq (From Cinderella)
  29. Speedy Gonzales (From Looney Tunes)
  30. Roscuro (From The Tale of Despereaux)
  31. Bernard (From The Rescuers)
  32. Mortimer (From Disney)

16 Names for Rat Pairs

two rats on someone's leg

When you buy two rats, a set of names sometimes works best for your lovely pets.

Rats do well when there’s more than one of them as they are social animals. These names work well for those buying a bonded pair of rats to show how close and connected the two little rodents are.

  1. Bonnie and Clyde
  2. Snap and Crackle
  3. Wynken and Blynken
  4. Cheese and Crackers
  5. Tom and Jerry
  6. Ben and Jerry
  7. Salt and Pepper
  8. Wine and Cheese
  9. Chip and Dale
  10. Romeo and Juliet
  11. Scritch and Scratch
  12. Sugar and Spice
  13. Cookies and Cream
  14. Batman and Robbin
  15. Mac and Cheese
  16. Fuzzy and Wuzzy

What’s in a Name?

As strange as it seems, having the right name for your pet makes the relationship between you and your pet stronger. You’re more likely to say a name that you like, which creates a deeper bond between you and your pet.

Rats are also smart. They may start to associate their name with you calling for them. This will let you and your pet get closer and have a way to communicate with each other, no matter how simple the communication is.

How to Know Which Name Is Right?

It’s not always easy to pick the right name for your pet. Perhaps you already had a name planned out, but it didn’t quite fit the rat you ended up buying. Other times, the name just doesn’t taste right on the tongue.

It’s not easy to come up with a name, especially when there are so many out there to choose from. The best option is to play around with several. In the first few days, take time to pick out your favorite names and try calling your rat by them.

You’ll eventually come across a name that feels right. Who knows, you may even find a name that isn’t on your carefully curated list based on their looks or personality. You may have regal rat names only to call your pet Berry due to their love for berries. Or perhaps they are curious little escape artists that benefit from a name like Indie (based on Indiana Jones).

Give it time and keep your mind open. Just like many pets, rats are intelligent and have their own personalities. As you get used to your rat and what makes them unique, you’ll find a name that fits them.


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About the Author

Nina is a writer at A-Z Animals, FIDIS Travel, and Giant Freakin Robot. Her focus is on wildlife, national parks, and the environment. She has been writing about animals for over three years. Nina holds a Bachelor's in Conservation Biology, which she uses when talking about animals and their natural habitats. In her free time, Nina also enjoys working on writing her novels and short stories. As a resident of Colorado, Nina enjoys getting out in nature, traveling, and watching snow hit the mountains from her enclosed porch.

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