What Is a Baby Fox Called?

We all know that baby pigs are piglets, and that little cats are called kittens, but many people don't know what a baby fox is called.  For foxes, like for many animals, there are special names for baby and adolescent animals. Baby foxes are called kits, cubs or pups.

Foxes are unique in that there are three names that are accepted within the English language for their babies as opposed to just one name for baby foxes:

• Kit
• Cub
• Pup

These are the names you would consider calling the young animals when they are still with their mother, and it is interesting to note that these three names are similar to the names used for other animals as well.

For example, a baby cat is known as a “kitten,” or a “kitty” which is very similar to “kit.”  Also, a baby bear is known as a “cub,” which is the same as what a baby fox is called.  Furthermore, a “pup” is a lot like “puppy,” which is what we call small dogs. 

It can be fun for young children to identify the differences between big animals and their children, and having cute names makes it easier to think that these animals are cute and worth learning about.  

Origin of the Name of a Baby Fox

Nobody is exactly sure where these names for baby foxes come from.  After all, they are similar to other names for baby animals, so it only makes sense that they would be similar.  These three names don’t sound like “fox” in the slightest, but they are similar enough to other words that maybe they originated from other places.  

Sometimes the names for baby animals is more simple, such as calling a pig a piggy or piglet – usually, you can just add “-let” or “y” to the word and it suddenly sounds like a baby name.

With foxes and other animals, such as cows, the process of making a nickname or a baby name becomes more difficult.  Cow becomes calf, for example – and remember, the father cow has a separate name as well (namely, a bull.) 

Pet Names:  Where Baby Names Originate

Within the English language, we typically like to call small things by cute names that are different than the normal noun.  Remember that diminutive names often signify that something is adorable or precious, and that by having little, cute words, a speaker is able to deliver a softer attitude and convey affection for something.

It is certainly interesting to consider the names of baby animals, such as baby foxes and how they are called in the English language.  Within different regions of the world where English is spoken, the words used to talk about baby animals change as well.

Ask someone who lives in the United Kingdom, or Australia, what the name of a baby fox is – and you’ll get an entirely different answer depending on their dialect.  To learn more about what baby foxes are called, speak with an animal specialist such as a zoologist or veterinarian who can advise you further on the subject.