Each NFL team has its own unique history and story behind its name.
In this article, we provide a brief overview of the origins of the names of all 32 NFL teams:
Arizona Cardinals Naming History
The team was founded in 1898 and was originally known as the Morgan Athletic Club.
The team was renamed the Racine Normals in 1922, and then the Chicago Cardinals in 1922.
The team moved to St. Louis in 1960 and then to Arizona in 1988.
The name “Cardinals” was chosen because the team’s original owner, Chris O’Brien, owned a used car dealership called the Morgan Automobile Company, and the car’s logo was a cardinal.
Atlanta Falcons Naming History
The team was founded in 1966 and was named by a contest held by the team’s original owner, Rankin Smith.
The name “Falcons” was chosen because it was thought to represent courage, pride, and determination.
Baltimore Ravens Naming History
The team was founded in 1996 and was named in honor of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven.”
Baltimore was chosen as the team’s home city because it has a strong literary tradition, and the name “Ravens” was thought to be a fitting tribute.
Buffalo Bills Naming History
The team was founded in 1960 and was named after Buffalo Bill Cody, a famous Wild West showman.
Carolina Panthers Naming History
The team was founded in 1995 and was named after the black panther, a fierce and agile predator.
The name was chosen to reflect the team’s tenacity and strength on the field.
Chicago Bears Naming History
The team was founded in 1920 and was originally known as the Decatur Staleys.
The team was renamed the Chicago Bears in 1922.
The name “Bears” was chosen in honor of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, which was also owned by the team’s founder, George Halas.
Cincinnati Bengals Naming History
The team was founded in 1968 and was named after the team’s original owner, Paul Brown.
Brown was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns at the time, and the name “Bengals” was chosen to reflect his association with the city of Cincinnati.
Cleveland Browns Naming History
The team was founded in 1946 and was named after its original owner, Paul Brown.
Brown was a successful coach in the All-American Football Conference, and the name “Browns” was chosen to reflect his association with the city of Cleveland.
Dallas Cowboys Naming History
The team was founded in 1960 and was named in honor of the cattle ranchers and cowboys who played a significant role in the history and culture of the state of Texas.
Denver Broncos Naming History
The team was founded in 1960 and was named in honor of the western cowboy, a symbol of the region’s pioneer spirit.
The team’s original owner, Bob Howsam, named the team the Broncos because he wanted a name that reflected the team’s rugged and independent nature.
Detroit Lions Naming History
The team was founded in 1930 and was originally known as the Portsmouth Spartans.
The team was renamed the Detroit Lions in 1934.
The name “Lions” was chosen because it was thought to represent the strength, courage, and ferocity of the team.
Green Bay Packers Naming History
The team was founded in 1919 and was named after the Indian Packing Company, which was the team’s original sponsor.
The team’s founders chose the name “Packers” because it was thought to reflect the team’s hardworking and scrappy nature.
Houston Texans Naming History
The team was founded in 2002 and was named to reflect the team’s home state of Texas.
The name “Texans” was chosen to honor the state’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Indianapolis Colts Naming History
The Indianapolis Colts are an American football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team was founded in 1953 and was originally known as the Baltimore Colts.
The team was named after the area’s history of horse breeding (the Preakness stakes is in the Baltimore area). The team moved to Indianapolis in 1984 and retained the name.
Jacksonville Jaguars Naming History
The team was founded in 1995 and was named after the jaguar, a fierce and powerful predator found in the region.
The name “Jaguars” was chosen to reflect the team’s strength and determination on the field.
Kansas City Chiefs Naming History
The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the Dallas Texans.
The team was renamed the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963.
The name “Chiefs” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the Native American culture of the region.
Las Vegas Raiders Naming History
The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the Oakland Raiders.
The team was renamed the Los Angeles Raiders in 1982 and moved to Las Vegas in 2020.
The name “Raiders” was chosen to reflect the team’s aggressive and unpredictable style of play.
Los Angeles Rams Naming History
The team was founded in 1936 and was originally known as the Cleveland Rams.
The team moved to Los Angeles in 1946 and then to St. Louis in 1995, before returning to Los Angeles in 2016.
The name “Rams” was chosen because the team’s original owner, Homer Marshman, owned a company that sold the Fordham Rams line of automobiles.
Miami Dolphins Naming History
The team was founded in 1966 and was named after the dolphin, a symbol of speed, intelligence, and grace.
The name “Dolphins” was chosen to reflect the team’s agility and skill on the field.
Minnesota Vikings Naming History
The team was founded in 1961 and was named in honor of the Viking explorers and warriors of Norse mythology.
The name “Vikings” was chosen to reflect the team’s toughness and strength on the field.
New England Patriots Naming History
The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the Boston Patriots.
The team was renamed the New England Patriots in 1971 when it moved to Foxborough, Massachusetts to better reflect its representation of the broader New England region.
The name “Patriots” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the history and culture of the region.
New Orleans Saints Naming History
The team was founded in 1966 and was named in honor of the city’s rich musical and cultural heritage.
The name “Saints” was chosen to reflect the team’s commitment to excellence and its pursuit of victory.
New York Giants Naming History
The team was founded in 1925 and was named in honor of the New York Giants baseball team (moved to San Francisco in 1954), which was also owned by the team’s founder, Tim Mara.
The name “Giants” was chosen to reflect the team’s size and physicality on the field.
New York Jets Naming History
The team was founded in 1959 and was originally known as the Titans of New York. The team was renamed the New York Jets in 1963.
The name “Jets” was chosen to reflect the team’s modern and innovative approach to the game.
Philadelphia Eagles Naming History
The team was founded in 1933 and was named in honor of the bald eagle, a symbol of strength and power.
The name “Eagles” was chosen to reflect the team’s tough and aggressive style of play.
Pittsburgh Steelers Naming History
The team was founded in 1933 and was named in honor of the city’s strong tradition of steel production.
The name “Steelers” was chosen to reflect the team’s toughness and resilience on the field.
San Francisco 49ers Naming History
The team was founded in 1946 and was named in honor of the California Gold Rush of 1849.
The name “49ers” was chosen to reflect the team’s connection to the gold miners nicknames.
Seattle Seahawks Naming History
The team was founded in 1976 and was named after the Seattle Seahawks bird, a species of eagle that is native to the region.
The name “Seahawks” was chosen to reflect the team’s fierce and agile style of play on the field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Naming History
The team was founded in 1976 and was named in honor of the pirate history of the region.
The name “Buccaneers” was chosen to reflect the team’s aggressive and unpredictable style of play.
Tennessee Titans Naming History
The team was founded in 1959 and was originally known as the Houston Oilers, after the oil refining that Houston is known for.
The team was renamed the Tennessee Oilers in 1997 and then the Tennessee Titans in 1999.
The name “Titans” was chosen to reflect the team’s strength and power on the field.
Washington Commanders Naming History
The team was founded in 1932 and was originally known as the Boston Braves.
The team was renamed the Washington Redskins in 1933 and then the Washington Football Team in 2020.
The team’s original name, “Braves,” was chosen to reflect the team’s tough and aggressive style of play, while the name “Redskins” was chosen to honor the team’s Native American heritage.
The name “Washington Football Team” was chosen in 2020 after the team retired the name “Redskins” due to controversy and pressure from various groups.
It was later changed to Commanders for the start of the 2022 season to represent the military and veterans in the Washington region.
The name “Commanders” was chosen to reflect the team’s strength, resilience, and commitment to excellence on the field.
The team has also unveiled new uniforms that pay tribute to the City of Washington DC, its people, and their values.
This is an exciting time for football fans in Washington DC and all over the country as a new era of professional football begins with this iconic franchise.
How It Was Named | NFL Teams
FAQs – NFL Team Name History
What were the original names of NFL franchises?
The original NFL franchises were established in the 1920s and 1930s, and many of them still exist today.
Here is a list of the original NFL franchises and their names:
- Arizona Cardinals (originally known as the Morgan Athletic Club and then the Chicago Cardinals)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Baltimore Ravens (originally known as the Cleveland Browns)
- Buffalo Bills (originally known as the Buffalo All-Americans and then the Buffalo Bisons)
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears (originally known as the Decatur Staleys)
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Dallas Cowboys
- Denver Broncos (originally known as the Denver Broncos Stampede)
- Detroit Lions (originally known as the Portsmouth Spartans)
- Green Bay Packers
- Houston Texans (originally known as the Dallas Texans)
- Indianapolis Colts (originally known as the Baltimore Colts)
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kansas City Chiefs (originally known as the Dallas Texans)
- Las Vegas Raiders (originally known as the Oakland Raiders)
- Los Angeles Rams (originally known as the Cleveland Rams)
- Miami Dolphins
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots (originally known as the Boston Patriots)
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Giants
- New York Jets (originally known as the Titans of New York)
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans (originally known as the Houston Oilers)
- Washington Football Team (originally known as the Boston Braves and then the Washington Redskins)
What were some NFL team names from the 1920s?
The NFL (National Football League) was founded in 1920 and had several teams as part of its inaugural season.
Here is a list of some of the NFL team names from the 1920s:
- Akron Pros
- Buffalo All-Americans
- Canton Bulldogs
- Chicago Cardinals
- Chicago Tigers
- Cleveland Indians
- Columbus Panhandles
- Decatur Staleys
- Detroit Heralds
- Hammond Pros
- Muncie Flyers
- New York Giants
- Rock Island Independents
- Rochester Jeffersons
- Tonawanda Kardex
Please note that many of these teams no longer exist, or have undergone name changes and/or relocation.
Some of these teams, such as the Buffalo All-Americans, Chicago Cardinals, and New York Giants, are still in existence today as part of the NFL.
How many NFL teams were in the 1920s?
There were 22 NFL teams in the 1920s.
The NFL (National Football League) was founded in 1920 and had several teams as part of its inaugural season.
The league continued to grow and expand over the course of the decade, with new teams joining and some teams folding or merging with other teams.
By the end of the 1920s, the NFL had established itself as the premier professional football league in the United States.
What were the 14 original NFL teams?
The 14 original NFL teams were established in the 1920s and 1930s, and many of them still exist today.
Here is a list of the 14 original NFL teams:
- Akron Pros
- Buffalo All-Americans
- Canton Bulldogs
- Chicago Cardinals
- Chicago Bears (originally known as the Decatur Staleys)
- Cleveland Indians
- Columbus Panhandles
- Dayton Triangles
- Detroit Heralds
- Green Bay Packers
- Muncie Flyers
- New York Giants
- Rochester Jeffersons
- Rock Island Independents
Please note that many of these teams no longer exist, or have undergone name changes and/or relocation.
But as mentioned, some of these teams, such as the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants, are still in existence today as part of the NFL.
Which NFL teams have changed their names?
Several National Football League (NFL) 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 NFL teams that have changed their names:
- Arizona Cardinals: The team was founded in 1898 and was originally known as the Chicago Cardinals. The team was renamed the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960 and then the Arizona Cardinals in 1988 when it moved to its current location in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Atlanta Falcons: The team was founded in 1966 and has retained its original name.
- Baltimore Ravens: The team was founded in 1996 and was originally known as the Cleveland Browns. The team was renamed the Baltimore Ravens in 1996 when it moved to its current location in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Carolina Panthers: The team was founded in 1995 and has retained its original name.
- Dallas Cowboys: The team was founded in 1960 and has retained its original name.
- Denver Broncos: The team was founded in 1960 and has retained its original name.
- Indianapolis Colts: The team was founded in 1953 and was originally known as the Baltimore Colts. The team was renamed the Indianapolis Colts in 1984 when it moved to its current location in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: The team was founded in 1995 and has retained its original name.
- Kansas City Chiefs: The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the Dallas Texans. The team was renamed the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963 when it moved to its current location in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Los Angeles Chargers: The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the Los Angeles Chargers. The team relocated to San Diego, California in 1961 and retained its original name until it returned to Los Angeles in 2017.
- Los Angeles Rams: The team was founded in 1936 and was originally known as the Cleveland Rams. The team was renamed the Los Angeles Rams in 1946 when it moved to its current location in Los Angeles, California. The team later moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1995 and returned to Los Angeles in 2016.
- Miami Dolphins: The team was founded in 1966 and has retained its original name.
- Minnesota Vikings: The team was founded in 1961 and has retained its original name.
- New England Patriots: The team was founded in 1959 and was originally known as the Boston Patriots. The team was renamed the New England Patriots in 1971 when it moved to its current location in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
- New Orleans Saints: The team was founded in 1967 and has retained its original name.
- New York Giants: The team was founded in 1925 and has retained its original name.
- New York Jets: The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the New York Titans. The team was renamed the New York Jets in 1963.
- Oakland Raiders: The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the Oakland Raiders. The team relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1982 and returned to Oakland in 1995.
- Philadelphia Eagles: The team was founded in 1933 and has retained its original name.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: The team was founded in 1933 and has retained its original name.
- San Francisco 49ers: The team was founded in 1946 and has retained its original name.
- Seattle Seahawks: The team was founded in 1976 and has retained its original name.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The team was founded in 1976 and has retained its original name.
- Tennessee Titans: The team was founded in 1960 and was originally known as the Houston Oilers. The team was renamed the Tennessee Oilers in 1997 when it moved to Nashville, Tennessee. The team was renamed the Tennessee Titans in 1999.
- Washington Football Team: The team was founded in 1932 and was originally known as the Boston Braves. The team was renamed the Boston Redskins in 1933 and then the Washington Redskins in 1937 when it moved to its current location in Washington, D.C. The team was renamed the Washington Football Team in 2020, then the Commanders in 2022.
Conclusion – How NFL Teams Got Their Names
NFL teams have undergone many changes over the years, from their original founding in the 1920s to their current-day status as some of the most renowned and beloved sports franchises in the world.
The names of these teams have changed along with them – some of which still bear their original names today, while others have gone through several iterations before settling on a modern-day name that fans recognize and love.
No matter what name they use or how long they’ve been around, each NFL team is an integral part of American football culture, and all can claim unique histories that make them special.
