Original: Etymology and mythology The name '' porcupine '' comes from Middle French porc d'épine which could be translated as '' thorny '' , '' spined '' , or '' quilled '' '' pork '' or '' pig '' , hence the nickname '' quill pig '' for the animal .
Simplified: The name '' porcupine '' comes from Middle French porc d'épine '' thorny pork '' , hence the nickname '' quill pig '' for the animal .