Ever find yourself staring at a fuzzy creature in your backyard and wondering if you should call it a bunny, a hare, or maybe something weirder like a "leveret"? Honestly, it's a bit of a linguistic mess. People use another word for rabbit almost interchangeably in casual conversation, but if you talk to a biologist or a serious homesteader, those words start to mean very specific things. Words matter. They change based on how old the animal is, what its ears look like, or even if it's currently sitting in a frying pan.
Rabbits have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. We've hunted them, raised them for fur, and let them take over our living rooms as high-maintenance pets. Because of that long history, the English language has accumulated a massive pile of synonyms. Some are cute. Some are scientific. Others are just plain old-fashioned.
The Bunny vs. Rabbit Debate
Let’s get the most common one out of the way. "Bunny."
It’s the word kids use. It’s the word we use when we see something cute. But where did it actually come from? Interestingly, "bunny" wasn't always the standard diminutive. Back in the 17th century, "coney" (pronounced like money) was actually the primary word for the animal. "Rabbit" originally only referred to the young ones. Over time, "rabbit" took over as the adult term, and "coney" eventually fell out of favor, partly because it sounded a bit too much like some vulgar slang of the era.
Bunny likely stems from "bun," an old Scottish word for a squirrel's tail or a rabbit's tail. It’s basically a nickname based on their most prominent feature. If you're looking for another word for rabbit that carries an emotional weight of "cuteness," bunny is your winner. But don't call a wild jackrabbit a bunny in front of a wildlife biologist unless you want a very long lecture.
What about "Coney"?
You’ll still see "coney" or "cony" in old law books or high-end fashion catalogs (though thankfully less often in fashion these days). In the UK, you might find "Coney Street" in York. It’s a direct link to the Norman French word conis. If you’re reading the King James Bible or Shakespeare, this is the term you'll encounter. It’s a linguistic fossil. It reminds us that our language is constantly shifting. What’s common today—the word rabbit—was once the "slang" for the babies.
👉 See also: Barn Owl at Night: Why These Silent Hunters Are Creepier (and Cooler) Than You Think
Technical Terms You’ll Hear in the Woods
If you’re out in the field, "rabbit" might not be precise enough. This is where it gets slightly confusing because people often use "hare" as another word for rabbit, but they are actually different species.
Think of it like the difference between a goat and a sheep. They look similar from a distance, but their biology is totally different.
- Hares are generally larger, have longer ears, and their babies (leverets) are born fully furred with their eyes open. They are the marathon runners of the lagomorph world.
- Rabbits are smaller, more social, and their babies (kittens or kits) are born hairless and blind. They prefer to hide in burrows rather than outrun predators in a straight line.
The "Jackrabbit" Confusion
Here’s a fun fact: a jackrabbit isn't a rabbit. It’s a hare. The name is actually a shortened version of "jackass rabbit," a nickname given by early settlers who thought the animal’s ears looked like those of a donkey. So, when you call it a jackrabbit, you're technically using a misnomer that stuck so hard it became the official name.
Buck, Doe, and Kit
If you’re getting into the world of breeding or 4-H, you’ll stop using the "B-word" entirely. You’ll use gendered terms.
A male is a buck.
A female is a doe.
A baby is a kit (short for kitten).
Wait, kitten? Yeah. It’s weird. We usually think of kittens as baby cats, but the term has been used for young rabbits since at least the 14th century. When a rabbit gives birth, it’s called "kindling." It has nothing to do with starting a fire, though it sounds like it. It comes from the Middle English kindelen, meaning to bring forth offspring.
✨ Don't miss: Baba au Rhum Recipe: Why Most Home Bakers Fail at This French Classic
Regional Slang and Folk Names
Depending on where you are in the world, you might hear some truly bizarre alternatives.
In some parts of the UK and among older hunters, you might hear the word Maph. It’s obscure, sure, but it’s real. Then there’s Lapin. This is the French word, but it’s used globally in the culinary world and the fur trade. If you see "Lapin" on a menu, you’re eating rabbit. It’s a way to make the meat sound more sophisticated and less like Peter Rabbit.
The "Bugs" Influence
We can't talk about rabbit synonyms without mentioning Wabbit. Thanks to Elmer Fudd, this became a permanent part of the American lexicon. While it's obviously just a mispronunciation, it’s a recognized cultural touchstone.
Then there’s Br'er Rabbit from African American folklore, which cemented the "trickster" archetype for the animal. In these stories, the rabbit isn't just a prey animal; he’s a clever, fast-talking strategist.
Scientific Classification: The Lagomorph
If you want to be the smartest person in the room (or the most annoying), you’ll use the term Lagomorph.
🔗 Read more: Aussie Oi Oi Oi: How One Chant Became Australia's Unofficial National Anthem
Rabbits aren't rodents. People thought they were for a long time because they have those ever-growing front teeth. But in 1912, scientists gave them their own order: Lagomorpha. The main difference? Lagomorphs have four incisors in their upper jaw, while rodents only have two.
Within the rabbit family, the most common one you’ll see in North America is the Cottontail (Sylvilagus). In Europe, it’s the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Almost every domestic rabbit you see—from the giant Flemish Giant to the tiny Netherland Dwarf—descends from that single European species.
Why Do We Have So Many Names?
It comes down to our relationship with them. We name things based on how we use them.
To a hunter, it’s game.
To a chef, it’s lapin.
To a child, it’s a bunny.
To a scientist, it’s a specimen of Oryctolagus.
The diversity of names reflects the rabbit’s versatility in human culture. They are symbols of fertility, icons of trickery, sources of food, and beloved companions.
Actionable Insights for Rabbit Enthusiasts
If you're looking for the right word because you're planning to get a rabbit or just want to be more accurate in your writing, keep these tips in mind:
- Check the ears and legs. If they are exceptionally long and the animal lives in the open desert or plains, call it a hare (or a jackrabbit).
- Use "kit" for babies. If you're talking to a vet or a breeder, using "bunny" makes you sound like an amateur. "Kit" or "kitten" is the professional standard.
- Know your "Lagomorphs." Remember that while all rabbits are lagomorphs, not all lagomorphs (like pikas) are rabbits.
- Be careful with "Coney." In modern English, it’s mostly an architectural or historical term. Unless you're at Coney Island, people might just give you a confused look.
- Identify the "Kindle." If you find a group of baby rabbits in a nest in your yard, you’ve found a kindle. Don't move them! The mother (the doe) only visits a few times a day to avoid leading predators to the spot.
Whether you call them bunnies, bucks, or lagomorphs, these animals have a permanent spot in our language. The next time you see one twitching its nose in the grass, you'll know exactly which another word for rabbit fits the moment. Using the right name doesn't just make you sound smarter—it connects you to the specific history and biology of one of the world's most successful mammals.