I had so much fun writing about the origins of each NBA team name, I had to look into doing the same for the other major sports. The problem is that the NBA team names are by far the most unique. It seems that often in the NFL and sometimes in MLB and the NHL, the names are mostly animals, some with little connection to the cities in which they play. There are, however, some cool names that might be fun to learn the origin of (e.g. Pittsburgh Pirates or Cleveland Browns).

So here is my report on the origins of each MLB team name. Most of the findings come from the book The Power of a Name by Clancy Dixon and Wikipedia (so I can't guarantee 100% accuracy). You should look at the first source for more info. I am just summarizing everything for easy dissemination. Enjoy!


Arizona Diamondbacks: A newspaper had a name-the-team contest with Diamondbacks winning. Team president Jerry Colangelo liked the suggestion so much because 'it had some bite to it'.

Atlanta Braves: Originally the Cincinnati Red Stockings and then the Boston Red Stockings and Bean Eaters, they renamed themselves the Braves in 1912 after the Delaware Indians, a Boston political party.

Baltimore Orioles: There were many teams in Baltimore that used the Orioles nickname (including the New York Yankees when they played there). When the St Louis Browns moved the Baltimore in 1954, they took that name.

Boston Red Sox: They had no official nickname from 1901-1907 (some claim they were called the Pilgrims or Americans, but many historians disagree). When the National League Boston Red Stockings changed from red to white uniforms (as they weren't called the Red Stockings very often anymore), the American League team adopted red as their new team color and wore a giant red sock logo on their uniforms. This owner adopted the name Red Sox.

Chicago Cubs: Originally the White Stockings, they had a plethora of nicknames and Cubs won out over the others. It is also said that the name came from a sportswriter when the team was made up of a bunch of young players.

Chicago White Sox: When the team moved from St Paul, Minnesota to Chicago in the late 1800s, it took the name White Stockings (a name once used by the Cubs), which was  changed to White Sox after the Chicago Tribune editors shortened it in their articles.

Cincinnati Reds: Unrelated to the original Cincinnati Red Stockings (which became the Braves of Boston and then Milwaukee and Atlanta), a new Red Stocking team was formed, whose name was shortened to the Reds.

Cleveland Indians: Once the Cleveland Naps (after Nap Lajoie), they needed a new nickname when he retired. The local newspapers came up with Indians, most likely as a play on the Boston Braves name.

Colorado Rockies: Obviously, Colorado is situated in the Rocky Mountains. The name was used earlier by the local NHL team (that would become the New Jersey Devils).

Detroit Tigers: Name adopted by a semi-pro team in the late 1800s that would join the American League.

Florida Marlins: The owner thought of the name when he caught a swordfish while fishing and realized, 'Nothing tests you like a marlin.' The name was also used for an earlier minor league team.

Houston Astros: Originally the Colt .45s, they were renamed the Astros after the Johnson Space Center

Kansas City Royals: Named after the American Royal, a livestock and horse show held in Kansas City every year.

Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim): Named after the nickname of Los Angeles, 'The City of Angels'

Los Angeles Dodgers: Had a bunch of names before the fans settled on the Trolley Dodgers, which referred to pedestrians that frantically looked both ways before crossing the Brooklyn streets that had lots of trolleys.

Milwaukee Brewers: Originally the Seattle Pilots, they were renamed the Brewers when they moved to Milwaukee, a city rich in beer brewing history.

Minnesota Twins: As the Minnesota Lakers of the NBA relocated to California due to poor attendance in part because of resentment by St Paul residents, the baseball team owner wanted to name the new team (former Washington Senators) the Twin City Twins, but it was rejected as too generic. So he named the team the Minnesota Twins, the first time a team was named after an entire state.

New York Mets: Name the team contest came up with the Bees, Burros, Continentals, Skyscrapers, Jets, Skyliners and Mets. The owners selected Mets because it was similar to the Metropolitans, an earlier New York baseball club.

New York Yankees: Formally the Highlanders, the old name was not appropriate when they moved from Hilltop Park to the Polo Grounds in 1913. The newspapers began calling them the Yankees soon thereafter, and the name stuck.

Oakland Athletics: The team began as an amateur club from the Athletic Club of Philadelphia, so a natural nickname was the Athletics.

Philadelphia Phillies: Originally the Philadelphia Philadelphias (you read that right), the name was shortened to the Phillies.

Pittsburgh Pirates: In the late 1800s, the Pittsburgh Alleghenys swooped in and stole star Philadelphia Athletic Lou Bierbauer when he was left off of a reserve list. The Philadelphia fans protested, calling the action 'piratical'. The Alleghenys soon renamed themselves the Pirates as a joke, and the name stuck soon thereafter. 

San Diego Padres: Named after the minor league team of the same name, which got their name from the Padres (Priests) of the Roman Catholic Mission San Diego de Alcala (found in San Diego in the 1700s).

San Francisco Giants: Originally the New York Gothams, legend has it that the manager came into the lockerroom after a satisfying win and proclaimed, 'My big fellows! My giants!'. The name stuck.

Seattle Mariners: Name the team contest came up with Mariners because Seattle is associated with the sea and sailors.

St Louis Cardinals: Once the Browns and Perfectos, they adopted the Cardinal name when they moved to New Sportsman's Park (nicknamed Cardinal Field) when a new St Louis Browns team was formed in 1902.

Tampa Bay Rays: A survey came up with Devil Rays, Manta Rays, Toads and Snowbirds, with Devil Rays winning among the ownership group.

Texas Rangers: Named after the law enforcement agency

Toronto Blue Jays: Name the team contest came up with Blue Jays as a candidate, which was selected by the owner, Labatt Breweries, because it was similar to its most popular beer, Labatt's Blue.

Washington Nationals: Named after the former Minnesota Twins official name for several decades (although everyone still called them the Senators). There was interest in naming them the Senators, but the Texas Rangers still owned the name from when they played in Washington. Furthermore, politicians were against that name because DC residents don't have congressional representation.