What Are Baby Rabbits Called? A Look Into Different Names

When it comes to baby animals, it can be confusing to know what they are called. For example, baby rabbits have a specific name, but it may not be as well-known as the names for babies of other animals such as kittens or puppies. 

In this article, we will explore the different names for baby rabbits, including their scientific name and various colloquial terms.

Baby Rabbit Names Explained

Scientific Name

The scientific name for a baby rabbit is “leveret.” This term is used to refer to young rabbits of several different species, including the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus). 

Leveret is derived from the Old French word “levere,” which means “young rabbit.”

Colloquial Names

In addition to the scientific term “leveret,” there are several colloquial names that are commonly used to refer to baby rabbits. Some of the most common include:

Bunny

This is perhaps the most well-known term for a baby rabbit. It is a shortened version of the word “rabbit” and is often used affectionately to refer to young rabbits.

Kit

This term is short for “kitten,” and it is often used to refer to young rabbits. It is believed to have originated as a shortened version of the word “kitten,” which was originally used to refer to young cats.

Rabbitling

This term is a combination of the words “rabbit” and “ling,” which means “young animal.” It is a less common term for a baby rabbit, but it is sometimes used to refer to very young rabbits that are still dependent on their mothers for care.

Bunny Rabbit

This term is a combination of the words “bunny” and “rabbit,” and it is often used to refer to baby rabbits.

Baby Bunny

This term is self-explanatory and is often used to refer to very young rabbits.

Jr.

This term is short for “junior” and is often used to distinguish young rabbits from adult rabbits. For example, a young rabbit might be referred to as “Jr.” while an adult rabbit is simply called “Rabbit.”

Conclusion

Baby rabbits are called leverets by scientists, but they are also commonly referred to by a variety of colloquial names including bunny, kit, rabbitling, bunny rabbit, baby bunny, and Jr. 

No matter what you call them, baby rabbits are adorable and make great pets for people of all ages. I have a young rabbit and I call it “Bun”.

Read: Where Do Rabbits Live?