What was the name of the rat in the cartoon “Crocodile Gena”? - briefly
The rat’s name is «Шурик».
What was the name of the rat in the cartoon “Crocodile Gena”? - in detail
The rat that appears alongside the mischievous old lady in the animated series featuring Gena the crocodile is identified simply as «Крыса», which translates to “the rat.” The character does not receive an individual proper name; it is consistently referred to by this generic designation in both the original Russian scripts and English adaptations.
The rat serves as Shapoklyak’s companion, accompanying her in several episodes, most notably in the stories where she attempts to thwart Gena and Cheburashka. Its role is limited to providing comic relief and reinforcing Shapoklyak’s image as a trouble‑making figure. The animal is portrayed as small, brown, and capable of basic gestures such as stealing food or delivering messages for its owner.
In the source material authored by Eduard Uspensky, the rat is deliberately left unnamed to emphasize its function as a sidekick rather than a central character. Consequently, all official merchandise, episode guides, and fan references list the creature under the generic label «Крыса» without an additional personal name.