Forex traders love nicknames. Over decades, currency pairs have acquired colorful names that you'll hear in trading rooms, forums, and educational content. Knowing these nicknames helps you understand market commentary and communicate with other traders.
Major Pair Nicknames
EUR/USD - "Fiber"
Origin: Refers to the fiber optic cables that transmit modern exchange rate data, replacing the old "cable" telegraph system. Some say it emphasizes the pair's "fiber" or strength as the most traded pair.
Usage: "Fiber is testing resistance at 1.1000"
GBP/USD - "Cable"
Origin: The most famous forex nickname. Dates to the mid-1800s when exchange rates were transmitted between London and New York via transatlantic telegraph cables laid on the ocean floor.
Usage: "Cable is looking bullish today"
Fun Fact: The first successful transatlantic cable was completed in 1866.
USD/JPY - "Gopher" or "Ninja"
Origin: "Gopher" may come from the sound of "go for" (dollars vs yen). "Ninja" references Japan. Less commonly used than other nicknames.
Usage: "Gopher hit 150 overnight"
AUD/USD - "Aussie"
Origin: Simply the shortened name for Australian dollar.
Usage: "Aussie is rallying on iron ore prices"
USD/CAD - "Loonie"
Origin: Named after the loon bird depicted on the Canadian one-dollar coin.
Usage: "Loonie is tanking with oil prices"
Note: Sometimes the CAD itself is called the Loonie.
NZD/USD - "Kiwi"
Origin: Named after New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, which appears on NZ coins.
Usage: "Kiwi gained after the RBNZ meeting"
Note: Like CAD, sometimes NZD itself is called the Kiwi.
USD/CHF - "Swissie"
Origin: Simply refers to the Swiss franc.
Usage: "Swissie is strengthening on safe-haven flows"
Cross Pair Nicknames
EUR/GBP - "Chunnel"
Origin: References the Channel Tunnel connecting England and France, symbolizing the UK-EU connection.
Usage: "Chunnel broke support after Brexit news"
Note: Less commonly used than major pair nicknames.
EUR/JPY - "Yuppy" or "Euppy"
Origin: Combination of Euro and Yen sounds.
Usage: "Yuppy collapsed during the sell-off"
GBP/JPY - "Dragon," "Beast," or "Geppy"
Origin:
- "Dragon" and "Beast" reference its aggressive, volatile nature
- "Geppy" combines GBP and JPY sounds
Usage: "The Dragon ate my stop loss"
Note: This pair's volatility inspired the fierce names.
AUD/JPY - "Aussie Yen"
Origin: Simply combined names. Not as colorful but widely used.
Usage: "Aussie Yen is a pure risk trade"
Currency Nicknames
Individual Currencies
| Currency | Nickname | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| GBP | Sterling, Quid | Historic British terms |
| USD | Buck, Greenback | American slang |
| CAD | Loonie | The loon bird on coins |
| AUD | Aussie | Shortened form |
| NZD | Kiwi | National bird |
| CHF | Swissie | Shortened form |
| EUR | Euro | No common nickname |
| JPY | Yen | No common nickname |
Historic Names
British Pound (GBP):
- "Sterling" - original name
- "Quid" - slang for pound
- "Sterling silver" once backed the currency
US Dollar (USD):
- "Greenback" - from Civil War era green-backed notes
- "Buck" - possibly from buckskin trading
- "Dollar" from the German "thaler"
Commodity Currency Names
"Comdolls"
Definition: Collective term for commodity currencies
Includes:
- AUD (Aussie)
- CAD (Loonie)
- NZD (Kiwi)
Usage: "Comdolls are all down on risk-off"
"Petrocurrency"
Definition: Currencies heavily influenced by oil
Examples:
- CAD (Loonie)
- NOK (Norwegian Krone)
- RUB (Russian Ruble)
Usage: "Petrocurrencies rallied with crude"
Regional Group Names
"European Majors"
EUR, GBP, CHF pairs against USD
"Antipodeans"
AUD and NZD pairs - referring to Australia and New Zealand's geographic position "opposite" Europe
"Scandy Pairs"
Nordic currencies: SEK, NOK, DKK
Slang for Price Action
"Taking a Bath"
When a currency drops sharply
"On the Bid"
Buyers are active and supporting the price
"Offered"
Selling pressure, price falling
"Bid Up"
Strong buying pressure
Why Nicknames Matter
Professional Communication
Traders use these terms:
- In trading rooms
- On financial media
- In research reports
- During conversations
Knowing them helps you:
- Follow market commentary
- Understand analysis
- Communicate professionally
Historical Context
Nicknames connect to:
- Financial history
- Cultural references
- Market traditions
Understanding origins enriches your market knowledge.
Quick Reference Table
| Pair | Nickname | Memory Aid |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Fiber | Modern digital cables |
| GBP/USD | Cable | Transatlantic telegraph |
| USD/JPY | Gopher | "Go for" dollars/yen |
| AUD/USD | Aussie | Australia |
| USD/CAD | Loonie | Loon bird on coin |
| NZD/USD | Kiwi | Kiwi bird |
| USD/CHF | Swissie | Swiss franc |
| EUR/GBP | Chunnel | Channel Tunnel |
| GBP/JPY | Dragon/Beast | Volatile nature |
Key Takeaways
- "Cable" (GBP/USD) is the most famous nickname, from telegraph cables
- "Loonie" (USD/CAD) comes from the loon bird on Canadian coins
- "Kiwi" (NZD/USD) references New Zealand's national bird
- "Dragon" or "Beast" (GBP/JPY) reflects its volatile nature
- Knowing nicknames helps you follow market commentary
- Many names have interesting historical origins
What's Next?
Learn how to choose the right currency pairs for your trading style.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.