Money goes by many names. From slang terms that emerged on the streets to cultural expressions that span continents, the way we refer to our currency reveals much about our relationship with wealth. This comprehensive collection brings together over 300 nicknames for money from around the world, across different eras, and from various cultural contexts. Whether you're looking to expand your vocabulary, find inspiration for creative writing, or simply enjoy the rich tapestry of language surrounding finance, this collection has something for everyone.
Common Money Nicknames
These widely recognized terms for money are used in everyday conversation across English-speaking countries.
- Cash
- Dough
- Bread
- Bucks
- Greenbacks
- Moolah
- Cheddar
- Benjamins
- Paper
- Scratch
- Loot
- Dinero
- Coin
- Funds
- Cabbage
- Chips
- Clams
- Ducats
- Frogskins
- Gravy
- Green
- Lettuce
- Lucre
- Moola
- Nugget
- Plaster
- Simoleons
- Smackers
- Smackeroos
- Spondulicks
- Tender
- Wad
- Wampum
- Bones
- Bacon
- Bankroll
- Beans
- Big ones
- Bills
- Cake
Money Nicknames Around the World
Money talks in every language. Here's how different cultures refer to their currency.
| Country/Region | Currency | Nickname |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Dollar | Greenback, Buck, Dead Presidents |
| United Kingdom | Pound | Quid, Nicker, Sovereign |
| Australia | Dollar | Dollarydoos, Lobster (20$), Pineapple (50$) |
| Canada | Dollar | Loonie, Toonie, Beaver Bucks |
| Japan | Yen | En, Okane |
| Mexico | Peso | Varos, Lana, Feria |
| India | Rupee | Taaka, Paisa, Rupiya |
| Brazil | Real | Grana, Bufunfa, Micharia |
| France | Euro | Balle, Fric, Pognon |
| Germany | Euro | Kohle, Knete, Kies |
| Italy | Euro | Grana, Soldi, Quattrini |
| Russia | Ruble | Babki, Kapusta, Bablo |
| China | Yuan | Kuai, Mao |
| South Africa | Rand | Bucks, Rocks, Randelas |
| New Zealand | Dollar | Kiwi, Dosh |
Money Nickname Generator
Need a fresh way to refer to your cash? Try our nickname generator!
Money Nicknames with Meanings
Ever wonder where these money terms came from? Here's the story behind some popular nicknames.
- Bread
- Refers to money as a basic necessity, like bread for sustenance.
- Greenbacks
- Originated during the American Civil War when currency was printed with green ink on the back.
- Clams
- Native Americans once used clam shells as currency.
- Dough
- Like bread, refers to money as something essential that helps you "rise" in society.
- Simoleons
- A combination of the British coin "sovereign" and the French coin "napoleon."
- Cheddar
- Refers to the color of cheese resembling gold or the color of money.
- Benjamins
- Refers to $100 bills which feature Benjamin Franklin's portrait.
- Cabbage
- Refers to the green color of U.S. currency, resembling cabbage leaves.
- Lettuce
- Similar to cabbage, refers to the green color of money.
- Scratch
- Originated from "starting from scratch" in a race, meaning beginning with nothing.
- Bacon
- From "bringing home the bacon," meaning earning money to support a family.
- Bones
- Possibly derived from dice (made of bones) used in gambling.
- Ducats
- Named after a gold coin used in medieval Europe.
- Frogskins
- Refers to the green color of U.S. currency, resembling frog skin.
Slang Money Terms by Era
Money slang has evolved over the decades. Explore how people talked about cash throughout history.
- Clams
- Simoleons
- Mazuma
- Jack
- Kale
- Dough
- Scratch
- Gravy
- Lettuce
- Spondulicks
- Frogskins
- Geetus
- Moolah
- Rubes
- Shinplasters
- Bread
- Cabbage
- Greenbacks
- Loot
- Moola
- Shekels
- Tender
- Wampum
- Dinero
- Fins (five dollar bills)
- Sawbucks (ten dollar bills)
- C-notes (hundred dollar bills)
- Long green
- Folding stuff
- Smackers
- Bread
- Scratch
- Loot
- Dough
- Coin
- Ducats
- Gelt
- Lucre
- Mazuma
- Shekels
- Simoleons
- Spondulicks
- Wampum
- Bankroll
- Boodle
- Cheddar
- Benjamins
- Scrilla
- Paper
- Dead presidents
- Cake
- Cheese
- Chips
- Cream
- Ends
- Grip
- Loot
- Stacks
- Skrilla
- Bones
- Bands
- Racks
- Guap
- Gwap
- Chips
- Cheddar
- Paper
- Benjamins
- Bucks
- Dough
- Bread
- Moolah
- Scrilla
- Stacks
- Fetti
- Cheese
- Cake
- Bacon
- Bankroll
- Bread
Denominations and Their Nicknames
Different bill values have their own unique slang terms.
- Single
- Buck
- One spot
- Washington
- Ace
- Bill
- Bone
- Simoleon
- Greenback
- Single
- Fin
- Fiver
- Five spot
- Lincoln
- Nickel
- V-note
- Cincer
- Finnif
- Half a sawbuck
- Blue note
- Sawbuck
- Ten spot
- Hamilton
- Tenner
- Dixie
- X
- Dime note
- Deuce
- Tener
- Dix
- Jackson
- Double sawbuck
- Twenty spot
- Double dime
- Andrew
- Yuppie food stamp
- Lobster (Australia)
- Score
- Dub
- Double X
- Grant
- Fifty
- Half a C-note
- Ulysses
- Frog
- Pineapple (Australia)
- Medio
- Fitty
- Half a yard
- Five-oh
- C-note
- Benjamin
- Franklin
- Yard
- Bill
- Hundo
- Large
- Century note
- Big one
- Benji
Funny and Creative Money Nicknames
Some money nicknames are just plain fun or creatively descriptive.
Slang for Being Broke
When the money's gone, we have plenty of ways to describe our empty wallets.
- Broke
- Skint
- Flat broke
- Busted
- Tapped out
- Strapped
- Cleaned out
- Penniless
- Destitute
- Impoverished
- Bankrupt
- Insolvent
- Financially embarrassed
- On the rocks
- Hard up
- Cash poor
- Pinched
- Strapped for cash
- Feeling the pinch
- Counting pennies
- Living on fumes
- Running on empty
- Down and out
- In the red
- Underwater
- Broke as a joke
- Poor as a church mouse
- Not a pot to piss in
- Can't rub two nickels together
- Empty pockets
- Light in the wallet
- Thin in the wallet
- Wallet's on a diet
- Wallet's got anorexia
- Wallet's in a depression
- Wallet's in a recession
- Wallet's in a coma
- Wallet's on life support
- Wallet's flatlining
- Wallet's DOA
- Wallet's MIA
- Wallet's AWOL
- Wallet's gone fishing
- Wallet's on vacation
- Wallet's retired
- Wallet's empty as a politician's promise
- Wallet's lighter than air
- Wallet's thinner than paper
- Wallet's emptier than a desert
- Wallet's drier than the Sahara
Conclusion
The rich vocabulary we use to describe money reflects its central role in human society. From the playful "cheddar" to the historical "greenbacks," these nicknames add color and character to our financial conversations. They evolve with culture, technology, and societal changes, creating a fascinating linguistic tapestry that continues to grow. Whether you're flush with cash or feeling the pinch, there's always a creative way to talk about your financial situation. The next time you're discussing money matters, try sprinkling in some of these colorful terms – you might just make the conversation about finances a little more entertaining!