NBA teams have unique names that often pay homage to the city they are based in or the culture of the region.
Here is a list of the National Basketball Association (NBA) teams and a brief history of how they were named:
Atlanta Hawks Name History
The team was founded in 1946 and was originally known as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.
The team was renamed the Milwaukee Hawks in 1951 when it moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then the St. Louis Hawks in 1955 when it moved to St. Louis, Missouri.
The team was renamed the Atlanta Hawks in 1968 when it moved to its current location in Atlanta, Georgia.
The name “Hawks” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the Native American tribe of the same name.
Boston Celtics Name History
The team was founded in 1946 and has retained its original name.
The name “Celtics” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the city of Boston and its Irish heritage.
Brooklyn Nets Name History
The Brooklyn Nets were originally founded in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans, a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).
The team was named after the state of New Jersey, where it was based. In 1968, the team was renamed the New York Nets and moved to Long Island, New York.
The team joined the NBA in 1976 and played in New Jersey until 2012, when it moved to Brooklyn and adopted its current name.
Charlotte Hornets Name History
The team was founded in 1988 and was originally known as the Charlotte Hornets.
The team was renamed the New Orleans Hornets in 2002 when it moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013.
The team returned to its original name and location in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2014.
The name “Hornets” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the city of Charlotte and its aggressive and feisty style of play.
Chicago Bulls Name History
The team was founded in 1966 and has retained its original name.
The name “Bulls” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the city of Chicago and its reputation as a tough and aggressive city.
Cleveland Cavaliers Name History
The team was founded in 1970 and has retained its original name.
The name “Cavaliers” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the city of Cleveland and its royal and sophisticated image.
Dallas Mavericks Name History
The team was founded in 1980 and has retained its original name.
The name “Mavericks” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the city of Dallas and its independent and rebellious spirit.
Denver Nuggets Name History
The team was founded in 1967 and was originally known as the Denver Rockets.
The team was renamed the Denver Nuggets in 1974.
The name “Nuggets” was chosen to reflect the team’s association with the state of Colorado and its history of gold mining.
Detroit Pistons Name History
The Detroit Pistons were originally founded in 1941 as the Fort Wayne Pistons, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL).
The team was named after the pistons that were used in the auto industry in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where the team was based.
In 1957, the team moved to Detroit and changed its name to the Detroit Pistons.
Golden State Warriors Name History
The Golden State Warriors were founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, a member of the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
The team was named after the Philadelphia Warriors, a professional basketball team that was active in the 1930s.
In 1962, the team moved to San Francisco and changed its name to the San Francisco Warriors.
In 1971, the team moved to the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area and adopted its current name.
Houston Rockets Name History
The Houston Rockets were founded in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets, a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).
The team was named after the city’s association with the space industry, as San Diego is home to several aerospace companies.
In 1971, the team joined the NBA and moved to Houston, adopting its current name.
Indiana Pacers Name History
The Indiana Pacers were founded in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).
The team was named after the pace car that is used in the Indianapolis 500, a famous car race that takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1976, the team joined the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers Name History
The Los Angeles Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, a member of the NBA.
The team was named after the buffalo soldiers, a group of African American soldiers who served in the western United States in the late 1800s.
In 1978, the team moved to San Diego and was renamed the San Diego Clippers.
In 1984, the team moved to Los Angeles and adopted its current name.
Los Angeles Lakers Name History
The Los Angeles Lakers were founded in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL).
The team was named after the state of Minnesota, which is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
In 1960, the team moved to Los Angeles and adopted its current name.
Memphis Grizzlies Name History
The Memphis Grizzlies were founded in 1995 as the Vancouver Grizzlies, an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the grizzly bear, which is native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America, where the team was based.
In 2001, the team moved to Memphis and adopted its current name.
Miami Heat Name History
The Miami Heat were founded in 1988 as an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the hot and humid climate of South Florida, where the team is based.
Milwaukee Bucks Name History
The Milwaukee Bucks were founded in 1968 as an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the Milwaukee Bucks, a professional basketball team that was active in the 1940s.
Minnesota Timberwolves Name History
The Minnesota Timberwolves were founded in 1989 as an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the timberwolf, a species of wolf that is native to Minnesota.
New Orleans Pelicans Name History
The New Orleans Pelicans were founded in 1988 as the Charlotte Hornets, an expansion team in the NBA (see above for more information).
In 2002, the team moved to New Orleans and was renamed the New Orleans Hornets.
In 2013, the team changed its name to the New Orleans Pelicans.
New York Knicks Name History
The New York Knicks were founded in 1946 as a member of the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
The team was named after the Knickerbocker Club, a 19th-century social club in New York City.
Oklahoma City Thunder Name History
The Oklahoma City Thunder were founded in 1967 as the Seattle SuperSonics, a member of the NBA.
The team was named after the supersonic Concorde aircraft, which was developed by a consortium of European countries, including the United Kingdom and France.
In 2008, the team moved to Oklahoma City and was renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The name “Thunder” was chosen to reflect the intensity and energy of the team and the city of Oklahoma City.
Orlando Magic Name History
The Orlando Magic were founded in 1989 as an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the “magic” of the city of Orlando and the surrounding area, which is known for its theme parks and tourist attractions.
Philadelphia 76ers Name History
The Philadelphia 76ers were founded in 1946 as the Syracuse Nationals, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL).
In 1963, the team joined the NBA and changed its name to the Philadelphia 76ers, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776.
Phoenix Suns Name History
The Phoenix Suns were founded in 1968 as an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the Phoenix, a mythical bird that is said to be reborn from its own ashes.
Portland Trail Blazers Name History
The Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 as an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the Oregon Trail, a historic trail that ran from Missouri to Oregon and was used by pioneers in the mid-1800s.
Sacramento Kings Name History
The Sacramento Kings were founded in 1923 as the Rochester Seagrams, a member of the National Basketball League (NBL).
The team was named after the Seagram’s distillery, which sponsored the team.
In 1945, the team joined the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and was renamed the Rochester Royals.
In 1957, the team moved to Cincinnati and was renamed the Cincinnati Royals.
In 1972, the team moved to Kansas City and was renamed the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.
In 1975, the team moved to its current location in Sacramento and adopted its current name.
San Antonio Spurs Name History
The San Antonio Spurs were founded in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals, a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).
The team was named after the chaparral, a type of vegetation that is common in the southwestern United States, where the team was based.
In 1973, the team joined the NBA and was renamed the San Antonio Spurs.
Toronto Raptors Name History
The Toronto Raptors were founded in 1995 as an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the velociraptor, a type of dinosaur that was known for its speed and agility.
Utah Jazz Name History
The Utah Jazz were founded in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz, an expansion team in the NBA.
The team was named after the city’s jazz music scene.
In 1979, the team moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and adopted its current name.
The team has been successful since its inception, reaching the NBA Finals twice.
Washington Wizards Name History
The Washington Wizards were originally founded in 1961 as the Chicago Packers, a member of the NBA.
The team was named after the city’s meatpacking industry.
In 1962, the team changed its name to the Chicago Zephyrs and played in Chicago until 1963, when it moved to Baltimore and was renamed the Baltimore Bullets.
In 1973, the team moved to Landover, Maryland and was renamed the Capital Bullets.
In 1974, the team changed its name to the Washington Bullets to avoid association with any violence.
In 1995, the team changed its name to the Washington Wizards.
All 30 NBA Team Name Origins Explained
FAQs – How NBA Teams Got Their Names
How was the NBA created and what were the names of the early teams?
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
The league was formed by the merger of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the BAA, both of which were professional basketball leagues that had been founded in the late 1930s.
The BAA was formed in 1946 by owners of the major ice hockey arenas in the Northeastern United States, who were looking for a way to generate additional revenue during the winter months.
The league began with 11 teams: the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Stags, the Cleveland Rebels, the Detroit Falcons, the Indianapolis Jets, the Minneapolis Lakers, the New York Knickerbockers, the Philadelphia Warriors, the Pittsburgh Ironmen, the Providence Steamrollers, and the Toronto Huskies.
The BAA was the first professional basketball league to hold its games in arenas rather than small gymnasiums, and it was the first to use the shot clock, which was introduced to speed up the game and increase scoring.
The NBL was formed in 1937 as a regional league with teams in small cities throughout the Midwest.
The league was not as successful as the BAA and struggled to attract top talent.
However, it did introduce the three-point shot, which was later adopted by the NBA. The NBL merged with the BAA in 1949 to form the NBA.
The early NBA teams were named after various things, including the cities or states in which they were based, local landmarks or industries, and historical figures or events.
The Boston Celtics, for example, were named after the “Celtic” style of play that the team’s original owner, Walter A. Brown, hoped to emulate.
The Minneapolis Lakers were named after the state of Minnesota, which is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”
The Chicago Stags were named after the city’s meatpacking industry, and the Cleveland Rebels were named after the American Revolutionary War.
The New York Knickerbockers were named after the Knickerbocker Club, a 19th-century social club in New York City.
Which NBA teams have changed their names?
Several NBA teams have changed their names over the years.
Here is a list of teams that have changed their names, along with their previous names:
- Atlanta Hawks (previously Tri-Cities Blackhawks)
- Charlotte Hornets (previously New Orleans Hornets)
- Chicago Bulls (previously none)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (previously none)
- Denver Nuggets (previously Denver Rockets)
- Golden State Warriors (previously Philadelphia Warriors, San Francisco Warriors)
- Houston Rockets (previously San Diego Rockets)
- Indiana Pacers (previously none)
- Los Angeles Clippers (previously Buffalo Braves, San Diego Clippers)
- Milwaukee Bucks (previously none)
- New Orleans Pelicans (previously Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets)
- New York Knicks (previously none)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (previously Seattle SuperSonics)
- Orlando Magic (previously none)
- Philadelphia 76ers (previously Syracuse Nationals)
- Phoenix Suns (previously none)
- Portland Trail Blazers (previously none)
- Sacramento Kings (previously Rochester Seagrams, Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City-Omaha Kings)
- Utah Jazz (previously New Orleans Jazz)
- Washington Wizards (previously Chicago Packers, Chicago Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets, Capital Bullets, Washington Bullets)
What NBA teams no longer exist?
Several NBA teams have ceased operations or relocated to different cities over the years.
Here is a list of teams that no longer exist:
- Anderson Packers
- Baltimore Bullets (now Washington Wizards)
- Baltimore Claws
- Buffalo Braves (now Los Angeles Clippers)
- Chicago Stags
- Cleveland Rebels
- Dallas Chaparrals (now San Antonio Spurs)
- Denver Nuggets (ABA)
- Detroit Falcons
- Indianapolis Jets
- Pittsburgh Ironmen
- Providence Steamrollers
- San Diego Rockets (now Houston Rockets)
- Sheboygan Red Skins
- St. Louis Bombers
- Toronto Huskies
- Washington Capitols
- Waterbury Brasscos
What was the first NBA team name?
The first team to be formed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) was the Boston Celtics, which was founded in 1946 as a member of the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
The team was named after the “Celtic” style of play that the team’s original owner, Walter A. Brown, hoped to emulate.
The Celtics have been a successful and iconic team in the NBA since their inception, winning a record 17 NBA championships.
What were the names of the original NBA teams?
The original NBA teams were:
- Boston Celtics
- Chicago Stags
- Cleveland Rebels
- Detroit Falcons
- Indianapolis Jets
- Minneapolis Lakers
- New York Knickerbockers
- Philadelphia Warriors
- Pittsburgh Ironmen
- Providence Steamrollers
- Toronto Huskies
These teams were all members of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which was founded in 1946.
The BAA was the first professional basketball league to hold its games in arenas rather than small gymnasiums, and it was the first to use the shot clock, which was introduced to speed up the game and increase scoring.
The BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to form the NBA.
What is the most unsuccessful NBA team?
It is difficult to determine which NBA team is the “most unsuccessful,” as success in sports can be measured in different ways.
Some people might consider a team to be unsuccessful if it has a losing record or has never won a championship.
Others might consider a team to be successful if it has a strong following or a rich history, even if it has not had much on-court success.
That being said, some teams in the NBA have had less success than others in terms of championships and playoff appearances.
The Charlotte Hornets, for example, have never won an NBA championship and have made it to the NBA Finals only once in their history.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans (formerly the New Orleans Hornets) have also never won an NBA championship and have made it to the NBA Finals only once each.
The Brooklyn Nets (formerly the New Jersey Nets) have won two NBA championships, but both of these championships were won when the team was based in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and not the NBA.
What would be a good NBA team name for Seattle?
Seattle does not currently have an NBA team. However, the city used to have an NBA team called the Seattle SuperSonics, which played in the league from 1967 to 2008.
If Seattle were to get an NBA expansion team, it could potentially be named the SuperSonics again, or it could choose a different name entirely.
The city’s WNBA team is known as the Seattle Storm (in reference to the city’s rainy weather), its NHL team formed in 2021 is the Seattle Kraken (after the mythical sea creature).
A new NBA team could be called the Seattle Gulls (after the seabirds that are common in the area) if it chooses something outside the SuperSonics (Sonics for short).
Ultimately, the choice of a team name would depend on the preferences of the team’s ownership group and the city of Seattle.
Conclusion – How NBA Teams Got Their Names
The history of NBA teams and their names is a fascinating one. Many teams have changed their names over the years to reflect changing trends, or even relocated cities after leaving behind a long and storied past.
Some of the original teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) trace their roots back to the Basketball Association of America, which was founded in 1946.
These original teams included the Boston Celtics, Chicago Stags, Cleveland Rebels, Detroit Falcons, Indianapolis Jets, Minneapolis Lakers, New York Knickerbockers, Philadelphia Warriors, and more.
Other current NBA franchises are relatively new additions to the league that adopted new names when they joined – for example, the Miami Heat was previously known as the Floridians before joining the NBA in 1988.
No matter how a team got its name, all of them are an important part of the history of professional basketball.
Their names help to tell the stories of their players, coaches and fans, and serve as a reminder that no matter what our differences may be, we can come together on the court for a common goal: to bring glory to our teams and make it through another season.
