One of the best things about having pet rats is choosing their names!
I’ve tried to include names that meet different styles. So whether you prefer classic “human” names, pet-sounding names, names that have a theme to match their cage mates, cool names, unique names, cute names, geek names or nature names; hopefully you’ll see some you like here!
It’s great to get inspiration from things that are important to you such as family members, icons, celebrities, movies, literature, history, music, drinks, culture, languages, myths and legends.
You can also seek inspiration from the type of fancy rat you’re naming, such as their coat or eye colour, and their personality. Have as much fun with the names as you like!
White rats, including all-white and white with grey, are considered “light-coloured fancy rats”. For a rat to be albino, they must have pink eyes. I say “pink eyes”, but their eyes aren’t coloured per se, they’re lacking any pigment and the pink hue is from the blood vessels in their eyes.
For the people who find the colour of their peepers a little creepy, this explanation probably doesn’t help! Fortunately, plenty of us find them beautiful!
Interestingly, albino rats were the first rats to be kept as pets, dating back in the 18th century, and have been thoroughly domesticated through breeding since then.
There are a few challenges that come with owning an albino rat, firstly, they have poorer eyesight than non-albino rats. It’s not hugely different, but certainly enough that they are prone to being dazzled and spooked easily. And, secondly, being able to clearly see your little one’s porphyrin looking like blood running down their face is quite unsettling, especially for first time rat parents!
These challenges are massively outweighed by their tendency to be more docile and sweet than other types of fancy rats.
Onto 32 name suggestions for your white and albino pet rat!
Alba
Al-bah
Alba is Latin and means ‘white’, ‘bright’ and ‘fair one’. What makes this name more special, is that in Spanish and Italian, it means ‘sunrise’ or ‘dawn’, and derives from the word ‘alb’ meaning ‘elf and supernatural being’. It is the feminine variant of Albus.
Albus
Al-bus
Harry Potter fans will recognise this one. Professor Albus Dumbledore is a pretty significant character. Then, of course, you have Albus Potter, Harry Potter’s son. But, don’t worry, it’s still a perfect name even if your pet rat is a muggle ratto!
Must like it’s feminine version Alba, Albus is Latin and means ‘white’, ‘bright’ and ‘fair one’.
Albie
Al-bee
Albie can be short for Albert, Albus or Alberto. It’s a very cute and modern name for a cute rat! Does it sound like slang for “Albino” to you too? Albie is Latin and means ‘white’ and ‘bright’.
Akari
Ah-car-ree
Akari is a feminine Japanese name that means ‘light’. Perfect for light-coloured fancy rats.
Bela
Bell-ah
Bela is of Hebrew origin and predominately means ‘devouring’, but also means ‘white’ and ‘bright’. So it’s ideal for your white or albino rat who has a very healthy appetite!
Blanca/Blanco/Blanka
Blank-ah/Blank-oh
Blanca and Blanco are the feminine and masculine Spanish words for ‘white’. In Esperanto, Blanka is the word for ‘white’, if you prefer a strong and pretty ‘k’ in the spelling.
Brie
Bree
Bree is a soft, creamy cheese with a white skin. And it’s delicious! It’s also a soft and pretty name. Perfect for your white softy of a rattie!
Caspar
Kah-spar
This is a beautiful Persian name meaning ‘keeper of treasure’, but many of us know Caspar as the friendly ghost! A fitting name for the white rats who like to stash food away more than their cage mates!
Cloud
Klowd
Is there anything quite as peaceful as watching clouds? This is such a great name for a more peaceful, fluffy white rat, especially if their head seems to be up in the clouds at times!
Coconut
Koh-koh-nut
If you can handle a lot of sweetness, you can handle Coconut! Your white rat has to be super sweet to receive this name, but I think we can all agree that every rat is worthy!
Cotton
Koh-tohn
There are a few meanings for cotton. One is the verb meaning ‘to get along with’, and ‘to cotton’ means to like something. And then you have the soft fibrous material that is sourced from the cotton plant and used to make an array of garments.
Cotton is the perfect name for a likeable and soft white rat, even if you can’t always ‘cotton on’ to what on earth they’re doing!
Daisy
Day-see
A very pretty flower with white petals. Perfect for your little white petal, although they may not always smell as fresh as a daisy!
Daz/Dazzle
Dahz/Dahz-zul
Many of us know the Daz washing detergent brand that can get our whites whiter than white. And it doubles up as a cool sounding name for our very white rats!
Freya
Fray-yah
Freya is the Ice Queen and Snow White’s mum in Snow White and The Huntsman. She has white hair and the ability to manipulate ice. So, if you have a rat with white hair who can warm even the coldest of hearts, this is a perfect fit.
Gwen
Guh-when
This is a Welsh name meaning ‘white’ and ‘holy’. A pretty and strong name for your little angel!
Haukea
Hou-keh-ah
An Hawaiian name meaning ‘white snow’. It is the combination of the words ‘hau’ meaning ‘snow’, and ‘kea’ meaning ‘white’. Perfect if your little pet rat is a winter baby!
Jasmine
Jaz-mehn
Jasmine is an elegant and fragrant flowery plant, and means ‘gift from God’. Another great name for a little angel.
Lilium/Lily
Lee-lee-um/Leel-lee
White lilies are beautiful and majestic and the name sounds so sweet!
Luna
Loo-nah
In Latin, Luna means moon. Perfect for your beautiful nocturnal rat. A notable Luna is Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. It would also be a great name if your ratto’s a loveable looney!
Marshmallow
Marsh-mal-low
A great name for rats who are sweet, fluffy, soft and cuddly.
Milky
Milk-ee
Although rats are lactose intolerant, this is still a super cute name for a rat with a milky-coloured coat.
Misty
Mist-ee
An early walk on a misty morning is one of nature’s many beautiful gifts. So this is a perfect name for your beautiful gift.
Nari
Nar-ee
Nari is the Korean word for Lily. A delicate and sweet name for your little rat.
Nego
Neh-go
Nego is Esperanto for ‘snow’. So, a great and unusual name for a snowy-white rat!
Neve/Nieve
Neeve
Neve is Italian for ‘snow’, while Nieve is Spanish for ‘snow’.
Pearl
Perl
There are few materials more precious than pearls. So, if your white rat is precious to you, which I’m sure they are, then they will wear the name Pearl perfectly.
Pewli
Pooh-lin
A Welsh name meaning ‘little’ and ‘humble’. Albino rats are commonly referred to as PEWs, which stands for Pink-Eyed White. Making this a very cute name for a very cute Albino ratto.
Polar
Poh-lar
A great name if your white rat’s fur is extra fluffy just like a polar bear!
Snow/Snowy/Snowey
Sno/Sno-ee
A classic, wintery name for your white ratty.
Snowball
Sno-ball
I think Snowball is the cutest of the snow-themed names. A curled up white pet rat looks just like a snowball!
Snowflake
Sno–flayke
Today, the word snowflake has a new definition given to people who speak up for what’s right. But, it also happens to be the most beautiful and elegant thing to fall from the sky.
Sugar
Shoo-gah
This is one for the sweetest of rats, or for the rattos who seem to regularly be on some kind of sugar rush!
Tofu
Toe-foo
Tofu is a delicious and healthy white bean curd, and a very very cute pet name!
