Hides and houses
Shelves and ledges
Foraging and toys
Cage accessories
Kits and bundles
Fairy forest
Spooky mischief
Sweetie stash
Game mode
Forest floor
Castles and cathedrals
Pick a mood, choose one rat, a pair or a trio, and tap the button for a name. There are nine moods with 30 names each, from gothic and sweet to space and storybook, plus 25 ready-made pair names and 15 trio names. Save the ones you like to a shortlist on this device and share a name with a link.
How the name generator works
Every name on the list sits in a mood: gothic, sweet, nature, game, classic, funny, myth and legend, space or storybook. Pick a mood and the generator draws a name at random from it, never the same one twice in a row. Leave it on "Any" to mix every mood together.
Naming a pair or a trio? Choose "A pair" or "A trio" and you get two or three names from the same mood that sit well together. With "Any", about half the time you get one of the ready-made sets instead, such as Bubble and Squeak or Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. Tap Save on any name you like and it goes on your shortlist, which stays on this device. Share sends a link that opens the page on that exact name.
All 270 names, plus the pair and trio sets, are under "See every name, by mood", so you can read through them yourself.
Tips for naming rats
- Say it out loud. Rats can learn to respond to their names, the RSPCA says, and short names with one or two clear sounds are easiest to call.
- Make each name sound different. In a group, names that start with different sounds help each rat know who you mean.
- Wait a few days. Watch your rats settle in first. A cheeky climber or a sleepy cuddler often suggests a name of their own.
- Plan for company. Rats live in pairs or groups, so a theme makes it easy to name newcomers later.
Teach your rat their name
The RSPCA says rats learn quickly, remember what they've learned and can be taught to respond to their names using rewards. Say the name once, then reward your rat when they look at you or come over, using a little of their normal daily food. Keep sessions to a few minutes and never chase or punish. Over a week or two, most rats start turning towards their name.
Common questions
What is a good name for a pet rat?
A good rat name is short, easy to say and different from the names of the other rats in the group. Ideas include food names such as Biscuit, Mochi and Custard, nature names such as Moss and Clover, and gothic names such as Salem and Raven. Pick a mood above for ideas.
Can rats learn their names?
Yes. The RSPCA says rats can be taught to respond to their names, along with tricks such as high fives, using reward-based training. Say the name, then reward your rat from their daily food when they look at you or come over. Short, regular sessions work best.
What are good names for two rats?
Pairs that belong together work well: Salt and Pepper, Bubble and Squeak, Fish and Chips, Tea and Biscuit, Pip and Squeak, Holmes and Watson, Sun and Moon or Pixel and Byte. Choose "A pair" above for more, or pick two names from one mood, such as two space or two storybook names.
What are good names for three rats?
Try a set of three that tells a story: Athos, Porthos and Aramis; Sage, Rosemary and Thyme; Rock, Paper and Scissors; Hex, Spell and Potion; or Moon, Star and Comet. Choose "A trio" above for more ideas, or let the generator pick three names from the same mood.
What are good gothic rat names?
Gothic rat names suit black, dark or mysterious rats: Raven, Salem, Moth, Hex, Velvet, Cinder, Nyx, Onyx, Hemlock, Vesper, Edgar, Poe, Lenore and Nightshade are all on our list. Pick "Gothic" above to draw one at a time, or open the full list to see all 30.
What are funny names for a rat?
Funny rat names often play on the word rat or give a tiny rat a grand title: Ratticus, Ratsputin, Count Ratula, Sir Squeaks, Lord Whiskerton, Captain Wiggles or Professor Sniff. Food names such as Gnocchi, Nugget and Meatball work well too. Pick "Funny" above for more.
Before your rats come home
- More rat name ideas
- Rats as pets
- Male or female rats
- First-time rat owner guide
- How to train pet rats
- Rat cage accessories
