The hare and the bunny

The custom of associating a rabbit or bunny with Easter arose in Protestant areas in Europe in the 17th century but did not become common until the 19th century. Britannica Scholars: Easter In the United States the Easter bunny also leaves children baskets with toys and candies on Easter morning. Britannica Scholars: Easter

English accounts from the 17th century report hunting for the Easter hare and eating its meat as part of the holy day's feast. Britannica Scholars: Easter bunny German records of the same era describe children hunting for eggs hidden by the Easter hare (Osterhase). Britannica Scholars: Easter bunny

German immigrants to Pennsylvania in the 18th century are credited with bringing to the United States the tradition of an Easter hare that lays and hides eggs. Britannica Scholars: Easter bunny

In some European countries other animals brought the Easter eggs: in Switzerland the cuckoo, in Westphalia the fox. Britannica Scholars: Easter Britannica Students says that in some European countries other animals brought the Easter eggs: in Switzerland the cuckoo, in northwestern Germany the fox. Britannica Students: Easter

In 1969 the official White House Easter Bunny made its first appearance at the Easter Egg Roll when a staffer of First Lady Pat Nixon donned a giant white rabbit costume. Britannica Scholars: Easter bunny

The older story of the name Easter, and of whether a goddess and a hare belong together, is on the myths page. We do not run those arguments together here as if they were one tale.