Guinea Pigs can make great pets that live for 4 – 8 years.
When it comes to adopting a guinea pig there is a challenge of coming up with a perfect name.
We’ve put together these lists to help you decide on a name for your guinea pig and to help give you inspiration.
Female Guinea Pig Names
Female guinea pig names typically derive from flowers, sweet treats, celebrities, and their coat color/personality.
You could even name your female guinea pig after characters from your favorite TV show, book, film, or video game.
Here is a list of female guinea pig names in alphabetical order:
Alana
Alice
Amy
Anita
Bessie
Bonnie
Buttercup
Cookie
Cindy
Cola
Dawn
Ella
Ellie
Erin
Eva
Flick
Ginger
Ginny
Goldie
Hazel
Heidi
Hope
Indigo
Jasmine
Josie
Kelly
Kit-Kat
Lily
Lola
Lucy
Luna
Mable
Millie
Mindy
Misty
Nancy
Naomi
Nellie
Opal
Paige
Pearl
Penny
Princess
Queen
Rose
Ruby
Sable
Sandy
Toffee
Thistle
Una
Ursula
Vera
Verity
Willow
Xena
Yasmin
Zara
Zoe
Male Guinea Pig Names
Male guinea pig names can be based on their coat color, personality, as well as characters from TV shows, films, video games, and books.
Here is a list of male guinea pig names in alphabetical order.
Albert
Alfie
Andy
Banjo
Bear
Casper
Copper
Charlie
Chief
Dexter
Dobby
Eddie
Finn
Flash
George
Gizmo
Harper
Harry
Inky
Jack
Jake
Jimmy
King
Lance
Lenny
Marley
Mickey
Mikey
Nibbles
Nugget
Ollie
Oreo
Pepsi
Popcorn
Pickles
Quincy
Ricky
Rocky
Scabbers
Scooby
Teddy
Tofu
Vinny
Waffles
Whiskers
Yo-Yo
Zeus
Cute Guinea Pig Names
Guinea pigs are sweet and adorable pets, so giving them a cute name makes sense!
Here is a list of cute guinea pig names that could be perfect for your pet:
Bailey
Biscuit
Brownie
Buddy
Clover
Coco
Daisy
Fluffy
Fuzzy
Hershey
Marshmallow
Nutella
Poppy
Pippin
Scruffy
Sleepy
Snickers
Snowy
Sunny
Taz
Winnie
Funny Guinea Pig Names
Funny guinea pig names can be great to call your pet as they are hard to forget!
Here is a list of funny guinea pigs name that you could call your guinea pig.
Beans
Bubbles
Cheezit
Cheddar
Chip
Crackle
Danger
Digger
Fry
Funny Gui
Greedy
Gus
Guinness
Hamburger
Hulk
Jaws
Joker
Munchy
New Guinea
Peppa
Piggy
Potato
Ziggy
Tips on How to Choose a Name for Your Guinea Pig
When choosing a name for your guinea pig, it’s important to use one that is simple and not too complicated. You should aim to use a name that has less than 3 syllables to make it easier for your guinea pig to recognize.
If you’re having a bit of trouble picking a name for your guinea pig, then don’t fret!
You could name your guinea pig after their personalities, such as Grumpy, Snoozy, Chewy, and Greedy. Alternatively, you could base your guinea pig’s name on their coat color.
For example, if you own a cream or light-colored guinea pig, then names like Snowy, Creampuff, Fawn, and Vanilla could work well.
If your guinea pig’s coat is jet black, then names like Ebony, Sooty, Charcoal, and Licorice could be perfect.
Naming your guinea pig after a character in your favorite TV show, book, video game, or film can also help you decide on what to call your guinea pig.
If you own multiple guinea pigs, then you could name them after classic food combinations.
Some good examples include PB and Jelly, Salt and Pepper, Bacon and Eggs, Pancakes and Syrup, Cookies and Cream, and Burger and Fries.
Can Guinea Pigs Memorize Their Names?
Guinea pigs can memorize their names if you train them. You need to make sure you are consistent with your guinea pig’s training in order for them to memorize their name.
Using a name with no more than 3 syllables will help your guinea pig remember their name. If you use a very long name, then your guinea pig will have a much harder time memorizing it.
With patience and frequent training, your guinea pig should have no issue understand their name.
If your guinea pig knows their name, then they will also understand recall. Recall is when you say your guinea pig’s name and they come up to you.
This can make it much easier and simpler for you to round up your guinea pig when you need to put them back into their cage after playing, as well as when it is feeding time.
If you successfully teach your guinea pig its name, then this is also a cool trick to show family and friends!
Most people don’t know that guinea pigs can learn their names, so you are sure to wow others when you show them that your guinea pig knows its name!
How Long Will It Take For A Guinea Pig To Learn Their Name?
Depending on how often you train your guinea pig, the time they take to learn or memorize their name will vary.
Some guinea pigs could learn their name in a week, while others could take a month or longer.
If you have not had your guinea pig very long or they are young, then teaching them their name could take a while.
This is because you need to gain your guinea pig’s trust. Make sure your guinea pig is comfortable and at ease around you before you begin training them their name.
This will make training quicker and easier as your guinea pig will already trust you.
To help your guinea pig learn their name faster, make sure you train them frequently. Treats can also be a huge benefit when training your guinea to learn their name.
Can I Rename My Guinea Pig?
If you have adopted your guinea pig from a rescue (or just don’t like the name you previously used for your guinea pig!), then they will probably already be named.
If you dislike the name your guinea pig has, then you’re probably wondering whether you can change it.
Your guinea pig has probably become used to their name, but you can change it to something else if you want to.
However, this process could be long as you will have to teach your guinea pig an entirely new name. It is simpler to just stick with your guinea pig’s current name.
If you are set on changing your guinea pig’s name, then use treats during their training to help them memorize their name.
My Guinea Pig Won’t Respond To Their Name, What Do I Do?
When your guinea pig doesn’t respond to their name, it can be frustrating and disheartening.
Try not to worry, as sometimes it just takes a while for your guinea pig to memorize their name.
You should also make sure your guinea pig’s name isn’t overly long as this can make it difficult for your guinea pig to learn it. Your guinea pig’s name should contain no more than 3 syllables.
If you are using a name for your guinea pig that is longer than 3 syllables, consider shortening it.
For example, if your guinea pig’s name is Peanut Butter, then you could shorten it to PB or Peanut.
If your guinea pig’s name is short and they still don’t respond to it, then you may need to train them more.
Treats are a great tool to help your guinea pig learn their name. Treats can help you gain your guinea pig’s trust.
Get your guinea pig’s attention by saying their name and offer them a treat. Use a gentle tone when saying your guinea pig’s name.
Guinea pigs have sensitive hearing, so if you shout your guinea pig’s name, then it might run away and hide from you.
Once you have your guinea pig’s attention, wait for them to come up to you to investigate the treat you are holding.
When your guinea pig approaches you, reward them with the treat.
Do this step a few times and then slightly increase the distance your guinea pig has to move to receive the treat. Say your guinea pig’s name again and reward them with a treat when they come up to you.
Continue this training by gradually increasing the distance between you and your guinea pig.
This means your guinea pig will have to walk further to receive a treat when you call them over.
Your guinea pig will eventually learn that when you say their name, they will receive a reward.
After some time, you should be able to call your guinea pig over without giving them a treat each time.
If your guinea pig doesn’t seem interested in you or the treat at first, don’t worry. It could take a few more training sessions before your guinea pig feels confident approaching you.
Other Factors To Consider When Teaching Your Guinea Pig Its Name
When you are training your guinea pig their name, make sure you use the same name each time. If you use different nicknames, then it will confuse your guinea pig.
For example, if your guinea pig’s name is Eleanor, but you also call them Ellie, then you will need to decide which one to use when training your pet.
Don’t feed your guinea pig too many unhealthy treats when training them. Store-bought treats are often fatty and sugary, so they must be fed sparingly.
If your guinea pig has a favorite vegetable or fruit, then you could use these instead.
Good fruits and vegetables to feed your guinea pig as a treat include carrots, kale, apples, celery, blueberries, green beans, and bananas.
When feeding your guinea pig fruits and root vegetables, make sure you don’t overdo it. Root vegetables and fruit should be fed in moderation.
Don’t get mad at your guinea pig if they are taking longer than you expected to memorize their name.
Each guinea pig is different, so it’s difficult to calculate how long it will take before they recognize their name.
Remain consistent with your training. If you don’t train your guinea pig often, then it will take much longer before they memorize their name.
If your guinea pig is young or hasn’t been with you long, then it may take a while before they trust you. This can make it harder for them to learn their name.
Make sure you gain the trust of your guinea pig so they feel comfortable around you. This will also make it easier for your guinea pig to memorize their name as they won’t be frightened of you!
How To Teach Multiple Guinea Pigs Their Names
If you own multiple guinea pigs, it might be simpler to train them one at a time. If try teaching your guinea pigs their names all at once, then it can be confusing for them.
They won’t know which name is theirs and when you hold out treats, all of them will probably come running up to you to receive it.
To make training less complicated when you own more than one guinea pig, teach each one individually.
This might mean taking one of your guinea pigs out of their cage and putting them into an enclosed area so you can train them on a 1:1 basis.
If you own an outside run, then this can be a great place to put your guinea during training sessions.
Make sure that wherever you place your guinea pig for training is safe, enclosed, and cannot be accessed by other animals or hazards.
Wires should be out of reach from your guinea pig, as well as anything else that you don’t want your guinea pig chewing.
You should also ensure your guinea pig can’t fall from any long drops or get into any small nooks and crannies.
Related Questions:
How do I gain the trust of my guinea pig? To gain the trust of your guinea pig, you need time and patience. Treats and daily interaction are both great ways to tame your guinea pig.
How often do I need to clean my guinea pig’s cage? You should aim to do a full clean of your guinea pig’s cage every 3-4 days. Regular spot cleaning can cut down on the time you spend cleaning your guinea pig’s habitat.
What do I need to feed my guinea pig? You should provide your guinea pig with hay and guinea pig nuggets daily, as well as fresh vegetables/leafy greens a few times a week. Fruits should be fed in moderation as an occasional treat.
