Each MLB team has its own unique history and origin story, detailing how it got its name and why.
Here is a brief overview of the origins of the names of all 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams:
Arizona Diamondbacks Name History
The team was founded in 1998 and was named after the diamondback, a venomous snake native to the southwestern United States.
The name “Diamondbacks” was chosen to reflect the team’s tough and resilient nature.
Atlanta Braves Name History
The team was founded in 1871 and was originally known as the Boston Red Stockings.
The team was renamed the Boston Braves in 1912 and moved to Milwaukee in 1953, before moving to Atlanta in 1966.
The name “Braves” was chosen to reflect the team’s fierce and aggressive style of play.
Baltimore Orioles Name History
The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Milwaukee Brewers.
The team was renamed the Baltimore Orioles in 1954.
The name “Orioles” was chosen in honor of Maryland’s official state bird, the Baltimore oriole.
Boston Red Sox Name History
The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Boston Americans.
The team was renamed the Boston Red Sox in 1908.
The name “Red Sox” was chosen to reflect the team’s red socks, which were part of the team’s official uniform.
Chicago Cubs Name History
The team was founded in 1870 and was originally known as the Chicago White Stockings.
The team was renamed the Chicago Colts in 1890 and then the Chicago Cubs in 1903.
The name “Cubs” was chosen to reflect the team’s youth and energy.
Chicago White Sox Name History
The team was founded in 1900 and was originally known as the Chicago White Stockings.
The team was renamed the Chicago White Sox in 1904.
The name “White Sox” was chosen to reflect the team’s white socks, which were part of the team’s official uniform.
Cincinnati Reds Name History
The team was founded in 1869 and was originally known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings.
The team was renamed the Cincinnati Reds in 1890.
The name “Reds” was chosen to reflect the team’s red socks, which were part of the team’s official uniform.
Cleveland Indians Name History
The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Cleveland Bluebirds.
The team was renamed the Cleveland Indians in 1915.
The name “Indians” was chosen in honor of Louis Sockalexis, a Native American player who played for the team in the late 1800s.
Colorado Rockies Name History
The team was founded in 1993 and was named in honor of the Rocky Mountains, which are a prominent feature of the region.
The name “Rockies” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the state’s natural beauty and rugged terrain.
Detroit Tigers Name History
The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Detroit Tigers.
The team has retained its original name since its founding.
The name “Tigers” was chosen to reflect the team’s aggressive and powerful style of play.
Houston Astros Name History
The team was founded in 1962 and was originally known as the Colt .45s.
The team was renamed the Houston Astros in 1965.
The name “Astros” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the city’s role as the center of the US space program.
Kansas City Royals Name History
The team was founded in 1969 and was named in honor of the American Royal, a livestock show, rodeo, and horse show held annually in Kansas City.
The name “Royals” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the city’s western heritage and tradition.
Los Angeles Angels Name History
The team was founded in 1961 and was originally known as the Los Angeles Angels.
The team has retained its original name since its founding.
The name “Angels” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the city of Los Angeles, which is known as the “City of Angels.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Name History
The team was founded in 1883 and was originally known as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.
The team was renamed the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1891 and then the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958.
The name “Dodgers” was chosen to reflect the locals’ resourcefulness and ability to dodge or evade the Brooklyn electric trolley cars in the 1890s.
Miami Marlins Name History
The team was founded in 1993 and was originally known as the Florida Marlins.
The team was renamed the Miami Marlins in 2012 when it moved to its current location in Miami, Florida.
The name “Marlins” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the state’s rich maritime history and the abundance of marine life in the region.
Milwaukee Brewers Name History
The team was founded in 1969 and was originally known as the Seattle Pilots.
The team was renamed the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970 when it moved to its current location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The name “Brewers” was chosen to reflect the city’s strong tradition of brewing beer.
Minnesota Twins Name History
The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Washington Senators.
The team was renamed the Minnesota Twins in 1961 when it moved to its current location in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The name “Twins” was chosen to reflect the team’s dual presence in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, which are known as the Twin Cities.
New York Yankees Name History
The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Baltimore Orioles.
The team was renamed the New York Yankees in 1903 when it moved to its current location in New York City.
The name “Yankees” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Oakland Athletics Name History
The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Philadelphia Athletics.
The team was renamed the Oakland Athletics in 1968 when it moved to its current location in Oakland, California.
The name “Athletics” was chosen to reflect the team’s focus on athleticism and physical fitness.
Philadelphia Phillies Name History
The team was founded in 1883 and was originally known as the Philadelphia Quakers.
The team was renamed the Philadelphia Phillies in 1890.
The name “Phillies” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the city of Philadelphia, which is known as the “City of Brotherly Love.”
Pittsburgh Pirates Name History
The team was founded in 1887 and was originally known as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.
The team was renamed the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1890.
The name “Pirates” was chosen to reflect the team’s aggressive and unpredictable style of play.
San Diego Padres Name History
The team was founded in 1969 and was named in honor of the Spanish Franciscan friars who founded the city of San Diego.
The name “Padres” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
San Francisco Giants Name History
The team was founded in 1883 and was originally known as the New York Gothams.
The team was renamed the San Francisco Giants in 1958 when it moved to its current location in San Francisco, California.
The name “Giants” was chosen to reflect the team’s size and physicality on the field.
Seattle Mariners Name History
The team was founded in 1977 and was named in honor of the city’s strong maritime tradition.
The name “Mariners” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
St. Louis Cardinals Name History
The team was founded in 1882 and was originally known as the St. Louis Brown Stockings.
The team was renamed the St. Louis Cardinals in 1900.
The name “Cardinals” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the Catholic Church and the redbird, which is the state bird of Missouri.
Tampa Bay Rays Name History
The team was founded in 1998 and was originally known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
The team was renamed the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
The name “Rays” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the region’s marine environment and the abundance of rays in the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas Rangers Name History
The team was founded in 1961 and was originally known as the Washington Senators.
The team was renamed the Texas Rangers in 1972 when it moved to its current location in Arlington, Texas.
The name “Rangers” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the Texas Ranger Division, a law enforcement agency in Texas.
Toronto Blue Jays Name History
The team was founded in 1977 and was named in honor of the blue jay, a species of bird native to North America.
The name “Blue Jays” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the region’s natural beauty and wildlife.
Washington Nationals Name History
The team was founded in 1969 and was originally known as the Montreal Expos.
The team was renamed the Washington Nationals in 2005 when it moved to its current location in Washington, D.C.
The name “Nationals” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the nation’s capital and its role as the representative of the entire country.
How It Was Named | MLB Teams
FAQs – How Each Baseball Team Got Its Name
What are the ways some classic MLB teams got their names?
The Baltimore Orioles were named after the official state bird of Maryland and the team’s original affiliation with a minor league club of the same name in 1901.
The Boston Red Sox traces its roots back to 1901 when the American League was established as a major league baseball organization.
Inspired by the popular red stockings worn by players of the National League’s Boston Beaneaters, owner John I. Taylor chose to call his team “Red Sox”.
The Chicago Cubs are one of the two MLB teams that have been playing since their establishment in 1876, known then as the White Stockings before being renamed the Cubs in 1907.
The Cincinnati Reds were founded as the Red Stockings in 1881 and adopted the name “Reds” in 1890 after their color scheme was changed to all-red uniforms.
The Cleveland Indians were originally called the Cleveland Bluebirds before they changed their name in 1915 to reflect the popularity of Native Americans at that time.
The Colorado Rockies are named after the Rocky Mountains, which have a strong cultural significance for locals.
The Detroit Tigers owe their name to a former Detroit mayor who suggested it during a meeting with team owners in 1895, inspired by the Detroit Light Guard military unit which was nicknamed “the tigers”.
What are some MLB team names from the 1800s (19th century)?
Major League Baseball (MLB) was founded in 1903, so there were no MLB teams in the 1800s (19th century).
However, there were several professional baseball teams that were active in the 19th century, and many of them have since become part of MLB.
Here is a list of some of the MLB team names that can be traced back to the 1800s:
- Baltimore Orioles: The team was founded in 1901, but can trace its origins back to the 1800s when it was known as the Baltimore Orioles.
- Chicago Cubs: The team was founded in 1870 and was originally known as the Chicago White Stockings. The team was renamed the Chicago Colts in 1890 and then the Chicago Cubs in 1903.
- Cincinnati Reds: The team was founded in 1869 and was originally known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The team was renamed the Cincinnati Reds in 1890.
- New York Yankees: The team was founded in 1901, but can trace its origins back to the 1800s when it was known as the Baltimore Orioles.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: The team was founded in 1887 and was originally known as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. The team was renamed the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1890.
- St. Louis Cardinals: The team was founded in 1882 and was originally known as the St. Louis Brown Stockings. The team was renamed the St. Louis Cardinals in 1900.
What was the first MLB team name?
The first Major League Baseball (MLB) team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings, which was founded in 1869.
The team was a charter member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players, which was the first professional baseball league in the United States.
The team was later renamed the Cincinnati Reds in 1890.
The name “Red Stockings” was chosen to reflect the team’s red socks, which were part of the team’s official uniform.
The Cincinnati Red Stockings were also the first professional baseball team to adopt a uniform, which helped to establish the team as a professional organization and set the standard for other professional baseball teams to follow.
What baseball teams no longer exist?
There have been many professional baseball teams that no longer exist, either because they folded, merged with other teams, or changed their name.
Below is a list of some professional baseball teams that no longer exist:
- Baltimore Terrapins (Federal League, 1914-1915)
- Boston Americans/Red Sox (American League, 1901-present)
- Brooklyn Bridegrooms/Dodgers (National League, 1884-1957)
- Buffalo Bisons (National League, 1879-1885)
- Cleveland Bluebirds/Spiders/Naps/Indians (National League, 1879-present)
- Columbus Buckeyes (American Association, 1883)
- Dallas Greenbriers/Steers/Texans (National Association, 1875-1876)
- Denver Bears/Zephyrs (American Association, 1955-1992)
- Detroit Wolverines (National League, 1881-1888)
- Kansas City Cowboys (National League, 1884)
- Milwaukee Creams/Brewers (American Association, 1891-1901; American League, 1902-present)
- New York Giants (National League, 1883-present)
- Philadelphia Athletics (American League, 1901-1954)
- Pittsburgh Alleghenys/Pirates (American Association, 1882-1887; National League, 1887-present)
- St. Louis Brown Stockings/Cardinals (National Association, 1875-1877; National League, 1882-present)
- Washington Nationals/Senators (National Association, 1872-1875; American League, 1901-1960; National League, 1969-present)
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there have been many other professional baseball teams that have come and gone over the years.
Is MLB older than NFL?
Yes, Major League Baseball (MLB) is older than the National Football League (NFL).
MLB was founded in 1903, while the NFL was founded in 1920.
MLB is the oldest professional sports league in the United States and is considered the premier professional baseball league in the world.
The NFL is a professional American football league and is the most popular sports league in the United States.
Which MLB teams have changed their names?
Several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have changed their names over the years, either because they moved to a new city, merged with another team, or simply decided to rebrand themselves.
Here is a list of some MLB teams that have changed their names:
- Boston Red Sox: The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Boston Americans. The team was renamed the Boston Red Sox in 1908.
- Chicago Cubs: The team was founded in 1870 and was originally known as the Chicago White Stockings. The team was renamed the Chicago Colts in 1890 and then the Chicago Cubs in 1903.
- Cincinnati Reds: The team was founded in 1869 and was originally known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The team was renamed the Cincinnati Reds in 1890.
- Cleveland Indians: The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Cleveland Bluebirds. The team was renamed the Cleveland Indians in 1915.
- Los Angeles Angels: The team was founded in 1961 and has retained its original name.
- Milwaukee Brewers: The team was founded in 1969 and was originally known as the Seattle Pilots. The team was renamed the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970 when it moved to its current location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- New York Yankees: The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Baltimore Orioles. The team was renamed the New York Yankees in 1903 when it moved to its current location in New York City.
- Oakland Athletics: The team was founded in 1901 and was originally known as the Philadelphia Athletics. The team was renamed the Oakland Athletics in 1968 when it moved to its current location in Oakland, California.
- San Francisco Giants: The team was founded in 1883 and was originally known as the New York Gothams. The team was renamed the San Francisco Giants in 1958 when it moved to its current location in San Francisco, California.
- Tampa Bay Rays: The team was founded in 1998 and was originally known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The team was renamed the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
- Texas Rangers: The team was founded in 1961 and was originally known as the Washington Senators. The team was renamed the Texas Rangers.
Conclusion – How MLB Teams Got Their Names
Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have long histories that can be traced back to the 1800s.
Each team has a unique and interesting story of how they got their name.
The Cincinnati Red Stockings, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals were all founded in the late 1800s with names drawn from references to colors or locations.
Other teams such as the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals have undergone several name changes over time.
In general, MLB teams are named after colors, animals, places, people, or a combination thereof, although there is no single set formula for determining a team’s name.
Regardless of how these teams got their names, these iconic titles remain an important part of baseball history and tradition today.
