It’s not only common in school, youth and recreational sports leagues. A large quantity of professional sports teams are named after a certain animal. You have the Lions and Tigers and Bears for instance — and a plethora of team names based off a bird species! See: Cardinals, Ravens, Hawks, etc.
Those are cool and all, but some of the more popular and iconic sports team names aren’t animal-based whatsoever. With that said, let’s dive into our 10 favorites.
Steelers
Pittsburgh is known as the “Steel City” for obvious reasons. But did anyone really use or know the term “Steelers” before the football team took over the name in 1940? This historic franchise made the name cool.
In the olden days, several NFL franchises simply took the same name as their MLB team. The Pittsburgh NFL franchise went by the “Pirates” from their inaugural 1933 season up to ‘39 before switching the name to “Steelers”.
Worth noting: The Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles merged as the “Steagles” for one season back in 1943, because of a player shortage during World War 2.
The “Steelers” name just has a nice sound to it, and it’s a fancy way to pay homage to the city’s rich steel history. And the logo is one of the most iconic in all of sports. The logo is practically the same as the one used by the American Iron and Steel Institute.
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The Steelers’ logo has three asteroids, and the special meaning is: “Steel lightens your work, brightens your leisure, and widens.”
The blue asteroid represents steel scrap. The orange one is iron ore and the yellow asteroid represents cole. These three materials are used for manufacturing steel.
The Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” dynasty dominated the NFL landscape in the ‘70s, winning four Super Bowls that decade. Their success obviously led to a serious fandom development across the United States, and the Steelers’ history has made this team name and logo all the more historic and meaningful.
Celtics
The Boston NBA franchise has held the “Celtics” name since their establishment in 1946. As local Celtics fans know, the team name is simply a reference to the city’s rich Irish population.
Fun fact: The franchise actually considered the names Unicorns, Whirlwinds and Olympians before settling on “Celtics.” Founder and then-owner Walter A. Brown explained the rationale behind choosing the ever-popular team name:
“The name has a great basketball tradition from the old Original Celtics in New York (1914-1939). And Boston is full of Irishmen.”
The slick team name also led to the creation of Boston’s leprechaun logo, one of the most recognized in the sporting world. And of course, the team mascot is “Lucky the Leprechaun.”
Throw in the green uniforms, and you just have all of this beautiful and artistic incorporation of the city’s Irish history. And of course, the team name “Celtics” can only grow on the average fan when you’re historically one of the two most successful franchises, along with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Saints
The city of New Orleans is renowned for its jazz. Some of you younger basketball fans may not know that the NBA’s Utah Jazz were initially the New Orleans Jazz from 1974-75 to 1978-79 before they relocated. So yeah, that’s why Utah has a team name that doesn’t exactly, well, fit them compared to New Orleans.
“When the Saints Go Marching in” is one of the more popular Jazz tunes, and it’s frequently played in the Big Easy. And so, when the NFL franchise was established in 1967, they opted to name the New Orleans football team the “Saints.”
It was a nod to the “When the Saints go Marching In”, as well as the fact that the franchise was born on November 1st, 1966. And Nov. 1 is “All Saints’ Day”, which is celebrated in Christianity.
Brewers
The Brewers’ franchise played its inaugural 1969 season in Seattle, and they were named the “Pilots.” After relocating to Milwaukee in 1970, the name was changed to “Brewers.” And it’s a doozy alright.
Now, the state of Wisconsin is greatly known for its cheese, which is why it’s called “America’s Dairyland.” And fans of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers are referred to as “cheeseheads.” But Milwaukee is also widely famous for its beer and breweries. It’s why the city has a long collection of beer-based nicknames, including “Beer City”, “Brewtown” and “Beertown.”
So the Brewers’ team name doesn’t need much of an explanation here. It’s obvious as to why they chose it. “Brewers” just goes along so well with “Milwaukee”. And the Brewers have found creative ways to tie the whole beer-themed name into the franchise.
And let’s be real, “Brewers” sure works as a marketing ploy. Which beer drinkers don’t feel like a brewski once they turn a game on or simply here someone mention the team name?
Mavericks
We know what you’re thinking! Isn’t “Mavericks” technically an animal name? After all, the term “Maverick” describes an unbranded cattle. And there’s a “horse” in the logo.
But nope. The Mavericks aren’t named for the animal-based term. The name was selected in a fan contest, with “Express” and “Wranglers” also receiving consideration.
It has been said that the name “Mavericks” was also inspired by the legendary ABC Western television series, Maverick, which aired from 1957 to 1962. It starred James Garner, Jack Kelly and Sir Roger Moore, best known for his performance as James Bond.
The word “Maverick” also defines an independent or unorthodox person. So, you know, the name has multiple definitions, and it just WORKS for a sports team name. Know what we mean? You gotta stand out from the others, hence why Mavericks works so well as a name for Dallas.
Patriots
The Patriots’ constant winning in the 21st century has made them one of the most hated teams in America. But the majority of football fans can probably agree on this: “Patriots” is an awesome team name.
Boston was granted an AFL team in 1959. Founder and then-owner Billy Sullivan held a contest to determine the team name, and “Patriots” was chosen. And quite frankly, why not? As you know, a “Patriot” was a colonist who went against Britain in the American Revolutionary War. Their enemies were the “Loyalists” who stuck by Britain.
And, you know, “Patriot” is also a term for a person who greatly admires their own country. Why not pay tribute to your own nation? And Boston took center stage –see the Boston Tea Party — during America’s fight for independence.
“Pat Patriot”, the team’s official mascot, was also featured on the team’s old logos. Pat Patriot is based off a soldier from the American Revolution.
So everything, absolutely everything, works for the “Patriots” team name. You have the history, the national pride and the beautiful blue, white and red uniforms that reflect the colors of the United States.
There’s good reason to argue that the Patriots are “America’s Team” now over the Dallas Cowboys.
Golden Knights
The state of Nevada finally received their first professional sports team in 2017, when the NHL’s “Vegas Golden Knights” were born.
Owner Bill Foley considered the name “Black Knights”; he attended the United States Military Academy, and their team name is “Black Knights”. Also worth noting that Foley is the chairman of Black Knight Inc.
He also considered the name “Knights”. But the London Knights’ of the Ontario Hockey League already hold that name, and Foley said acquiring the name “ is not economically feasible. Foley also added: “In the U.S., ‘Knights’ are fine. But we can’t use it in Canada.”
And so, Foley ultimately decided to settle on “Golden Knights.” Incredibly cool, crafty and tough.
In a 2016 interview with ESPN, Foley explained how and why he chose the name:
“My whole idea was to create a logo and a name that was powerful, that would epitomize the warrior class. The knights are the epitome of the warrior class, the top of the line in terms of defending the realm, defending the unprotected. This is all part of the culture we want to create with the hockey team. And hockey players are warriors and they’re team players, they’re not individuals, they’re playing together.”
The Golden Knights’ color schemes, team name and logo are widely viewed as some of the best in the NHL. It didn’t take long for this franchise to build a fanbase outside of Sin City, that’s for sure.
And the team has frequently used a knight dressed in gold for pre-game ceremonies. It sure gets rowdy during the postseason! You gotta love it.
Foley had some obstacles to overcome, and being based in Vegas and all, there were too many enticing names to choose from. But “Golden Knights” has grown on a lot of us, and it’s safe to say that he made the right call.
Astros
Established in 1962, the Houston MLB franchise went by the “Colt .45s” for their first three seasons before switching the name to “Astros” in 1965, the same year they moved into the Astrodome.
The “Astros” team name is obviously short for “Astronauts”. It’s a nod to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, which is located in Houston. And But also, why wouldn’t you change the name to something catchy and fancy like “Astros” when you’re playing in the Astrodome? It was simply too good of an opportunity for the baseball team to pass up on.
The late Judge Roy Hofheinz who helped the city of Houston land an MLB franchise, explained why they went from the Colt .45s to the Astros:
“We felt the space idea was more logical because the ballclub is in Houston — Space City, U.S.A., and our Spring Training headquarters is in Cocoa Beach, Fla., at Cape Kennedy — Launching Pad, U.S.A.. The name and insignia will help dispel the image of Texas as a land of cowboys and Indians, and it behooves every citizen in this area to call attention to the 20th century aspects of Texas and Houston.”
The Astros aren’t the only Houston professional sports team with a space-themed team name. There’s also the NBA’s Houston Rockets, who relocated from San Diego in 1971. But with all the space history and ties in Houston, there was no need to change the “Rockets” team name.
Blues
The legendary W.C. Handy — nicknamed “”Father of the Blues” — composed the popular 1914 hit song “Saint Louis Blues.” 53 years later, the city of St. Louis was granted an NHL expansion franchise, and so the team was named the Blues — after Handy’s song. Short and sweet story.
St. Louis is widely known for its blues music history. So it was just the perfect name for the hockey team, and it was a savvy play on Handy’s song.
The hockey team’s main colors are blue, too! Also, at Blues games, it’s common to hear the organist play Handy’s aforementioned “Saint Louis Blues” song. Not only that, but the fans often sing “When the Saints Go Marching In”, except they change the word “Saints” to Blues.”
The Blues’ logo hasn’t changed much since the franchise’s inception in 1967, and rightfully so. Why change something that’s perfect in every way? This team has done a masterful job including the whole “Blues” thing into their hockey team.
Raiders
The Raiders were originally based in Oakland. They moved to LA and played there from 1982 to ‘94 before moving back to Oakland in 1995. The franchise relocated to Las Vegas in 2020, but one thing has remained the same throughout all the moves: The “Raiders” team name.
As it should. The name and logo are too beautiful to change at this point.
Established in 1960, the Raiders were initially going to be called the “Señors”, which finished first in a team name contest. But the name sparked laughter and jokes across the community, so the decision was made to go by “Raiders” instead.
Not that Raiders fans should complain or anything. The pirate theme is just so cool and intimidating for a professional football team. And before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came along, the NFL didn’t have pirate-based football teams.
The black and silver colored uniforms are also some of the best in professional sports. The Raiders were a powerhouse for nearly two full decades from 1967 to 85, winning one AFL Championship and three Super Bowls.
Mark Davis’ decision to relocate the Raiders to Las Vegas was understandably met with plenty of criticism, given the longtime loyalty from the folks in Oakland. But at least credit him for keeping the name and logo intact. When it comes to non-animal team names, few — if any — are better than Raiders. What can we say?
