Ferret Names
Ferrets are part slinky, part cat burglar and part toddler on espresso, so a boring name simply won’t do. We’ve collected more than 100 ferret names, organized by personality and coat color, so you can find something that fits your hob (male) or jill (female) — plus famous ferrets, food names and pairs for ferrets that come as a duo.
Ferrets were domesticated from the European polecat more than 2,000 years ago, and the name comes from the Latin furittus, “little thief.” That explains why so many owners pick names like Bandit or Pickpocket. For more small-pet ideas, see our hamster names, rat names and cute pet names.
Mischievous names for little thieves
Ferrets famously hoard socks, keys and shoes in secret stashes. These names own that reputation.
| Name | Why it fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bandit | Their dark “mask” looks like a robber’s | Masked sable ferrets |
| Robin Hood | The outlaw who stole from the rich | Generous thieves |
| Pickpocket | For the ferret who raids your pockets | Sneaky ones |
| Houdini | The escape artist | Cage escapees |
| Loki | Norse trickster god | Chaos-makers |
| Rascal | A playful troublemaker | Any ferret |
| Klepto | Short for kleptomaniac | Serial sock thieves |
| Burglar | Break-ins under the couch | Stash builders |
| Heist | A big, planned theft | Ocean’s Eleven fans |
| Smuggler | Hides treasures everywhere | Sneaky jills |
| Ninja | Silent and quick | Stealthy ferrets |
| Gremlin | Mischievous creature | Nighttime troublemakers |
| Mischief | The whole personality | Kits |
| Artful Dodger | Pickpocket from <em>Oliver Twist</em> | Clever hobs |
| Fagin | The gang leader in <em>Oliver Twist</em> | Boss ferrets |
| Rogue | A lovable scoundrel | Jills or hobs |
Long, wiggly and silly names
Ferrets are long, bendy and energetic, and their happy hopping is called the “weasel war dance.”
| Name | Inspiration | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Noodle | Long and floppy | Sleepy ferrets |
| Slinky | The spring toy that walks downstairs | Bouncy ferrets |
| Spaghetti | A long, twisty pasta | Tangled nappers |
| Zippy | Always zooming | Speedy kits |
| Ziggy | Zigzag running | Hyper ferrets |
| Wiggles | Can’t sit still | Kits |
| Squiggle | A wiggly line | Playful jills |
| Bounce | The war dance | Happy ferrets |
| Tube Sock | Long and floppy, their favorite stolen item | Fun hobs |
| Dooker | The happy chuckling sound ferrets make | Chatty ferrets |
| Dash | Short and quick | Sprinting ferrets |
| Pogo | The pogo stick | Bouncing ferrets |
| Twister | The game (and their spine) | Flexible ferrets |
| Sprocket | A small toothed wheel | Busy little machines |
Cute food names for ferrets
Food names are sweet and easy to call. (Ferrets are obligate carnivores, so these treats stay on your plate, not theirs.)
| Name | The food | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mochi | Soft Japanese rice cake | Squishy white ferrets |
| Twix | Chocolate caramel bar | Chocolate-colored ferrets |
| Oreo | Black-and-white cookie | Panda and blaze ferrets |
| Nacho | Cheesy chips | Cinnamon ferrets |
| Biscuit | Pale baked bread | Champagne ferrets |
| Pretzel | Twisty snack | Ferrets that sleep curled up |
| Peanut | Small and round | Tiny jills |
| Mocha | Coffee with chocolate | Chocolate ferrets |
| Cinnamon | Warm reddish spice | Cinnamon-colored ferrets |
| Churro | Fried cinnamon-sugar pastry | Long cinnamon ferrets |
| Waffles | Breakfast treat | Goofy hobs |
| Tater Tot | Small crispy potato | Chubby ferrets |
| Jellybean | Colorful candy | Tiny kits |
| Butterscotch | Golden candy | Champagne ferrets |
| Marshmallow | Fluffy white candy | Albino ferrets |
| Truffle | Chocolate or fungus | Dark-eyed white ferrets |
Ferret names by coat color
The American Ferret Association recognizes colors including sable, black sable, chocolate, champagne, cinnamon, albino and dark-eyed white, plus patterns like panda and blaze.
| Name | Color | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sable | Sable | The most common coat color |
| Smokey | Black sable | Dark gray-brown tones |
| Shadow | Black sable | Dark and quiet |
| Coco | Chocolate | Warm brown coat |
| Hazel | Chocolate | Soft brown |
| Champagne | Champagne | Light tan fur |
| Honey | Champagne | Golden sheen |
| Ginger | Cinnamon | Reddish coat |
| Rusty | Cinnamon | Red-brown fur |
| Snowball | Albino | All white with red eyes |
| Ghost | Dark-eyed white | White with dark eyes |
| Pearl | Dark-eyed white | Creamy white |
| Panda | Panda pattern | White head on a dark body |
| Blaze | Blaze pattern | White stripe down the head |
| Mitts | Mitt markings | White paws |
| Pepper | Silver | Salt-and-pepper fur |
Famous ferrets and weasel-inspired names
Ferrets have popped up in films and folklore. Some of these are other mustelids (the weasel family), which works just as well.
| Name | Where it’s from | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kodo | <em>The Beastmaster</em> (1982) | One of the hero’s two ferrets |
| Podo | <em>The Beastmaster</em> | Kodo’s partner in crime |
| Sam | <em>Kindergarten Cop</em> (1990) | Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ferret sidekick |
| Buck | <em>Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs</em> | The one-eyed weasel |
| Rikki | “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” by Kipling | A mongoose, but a brave little hunter |
| Weasley | The <em>Harry Potter</em> family | Red cinnamon ferrets |
| Badger | Ferrets’ big cousin | Stocky hobs |
| Mink | A close relative | Sleek dark ferrets |
| Stoat | A close relative that turns white in winter | Pale ferrets |
| Polecat | The ferret’s wild ancestor | Sable ferrets |
| Otter | Another mustelid | Water-loving ferrets |
| Wolverine | The largest land-dwelling mustelid | Tough hobs |
Classic and cute names for jills and hobs
A female ferret is a jill; a male is a hob; a baby is a kit; and a group is a “business.”
| Name | Meaning / origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Pip | Short for Philip, “lover of horses” | Hob |
| Milo | Germanic, possibly “merciful” | Hob |
| Felix | Latin “lucky, happy” | Hob |
| Oscar | Irish “deer lover” | Hob |
| Jasper | Persian “treasurer” | Hob |
| Gus | Short for Augustus | Hob |
| Rocky | From rock | Hob |
| Poppy | The red flower | Jill |
| Luna | Latin “moon” | Jill |
| Rosie | The rose flower | Jill |
| Lulu | Pet form of Louise | Jill |
| Tilly | Pet form of Matilda | Jill |
| Nibbles | For a gentle nipper | Either |
| Bubbles | Happy and bouncy | Either |
| Kiwi | Small and fuzzy | Either |
| Scooter | Always on the move | Either |
| Frankie | Pet form of Francis, “Frenchman” | Either |
| Bean | A tiny legume | Either |
Names for ferret pairs
Ferrets are social and usually happiest in pairs or small groups, so plan names together.
| Pair | Theme | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Bonnie & Clyde | Outlaw couple | Two little thieves |
| Salt & Pepa | Hip-hop duo, and colors | Albino + black sable |
| Mario & Luigi | Video-game brothers | Two hobs |
| Sherlock & Watson | Detective duo | Stash hunters |
| Bert & Ernie | <em>Sesame Street</em> | Odd couples |
| Mischief & Mayhem | Chaos twins | Double trouble |
| Tom & Jerry | Cartoon rivals | Two ferrets who chase all day |
| Frodo & Sam | <em>The Lord of the Rings</em> | Adventurous pair |
| Gin & Tonic | Classic cocktail | Albino + sable |
Tips for naming a ferret
- Ferrets have poor eyesight but good hearing, so a name with a distinct sound (Pip, Ziggy) is easier for them to pick up.
- Pair the name with a squeaky toy or treat so your ferret learns to come when called.
- Watch your new kit for a few days: its personality (thief, napper, war-dancer) often suggests the perfect name.
- If you have more than one ferret, pick names that start with different sounds so they don’t get confused.
- Check local law: ferrets are illegal as pets in California and Hawaii and restricted in some cities, including New York City.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good name for a ferret?
Bandit, Noodle, Slinky, Loki, Mochi and Houdini are popular ferret names that suit their sneaky, bouncy personalities.
What is a female ferret called?
A female ferret is a jill, a male is a hob, a neutered male is a gib, a spayed female is a sprite, and a baby is a kit.
What is a group of ferrets called?
A group of ferrets is called a business. Older sources also mention a “fesnyng.” You can find more in our animal group names.
What does the word ferret mean?
It comes from Latin furittus, meaning “little thief,” which fits their habit of stealing and hiding objects.
What was the ferret in Kindergarten Cop called?
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character’s ferret in the 1990 film is named Sam.