Sports team names often have a compelling history behind them.
Some allude to proud tradition; some are meant to sound intimidating; and some are purposely goofy and friendly.
I would guess that most fans often overlook the meaning of their favorite team’s name. I know I do.
So when I decided to really look into the meaning and nature of team names, I found some to be plain stupid, silly, and even offensive.
The Stupidest Team Name:
The Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim
In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo claimed the area of southern California for Spain. Over time, Los Angeles would become one of the most diverse and largest cities in the country.
With the Spanish influence, it’s no surprise Los Angeles was named in tribute to Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles (Our Lady the Queen of the Angels) or popularly known as the Virgin Mary.
At first glance, there doesn’t seem to any problem with the name Los Angeles Angels. It’s perfectly logical for Roman Catholics to name a city after one of their most sacred saints.
But there’s something fishy about the name “The Los Angeles Angels”.
I may have struggled to keep a C in Spanish class in high school, but I do know “Los Angeles” is Spanish for “the Angels.”
That’s correct. The Los Angeles team name directly translates to “The Angels Angels.” What boggles my mind is that people named the team seeming to know what they were doing but didn’t really care that the translation was redundant.
Further adding to the stupidity is that the team now plays in Anaheim but has decided to keep the Los Angeles in the team name.
I know this poor naming choice isn’t going to keep anyone awake at night, but I still think it’s kinda stupid.
The Most Insensitive Team Name:
The Washington Redskins
If there’s one group in America that got the sharp end of the sword, it was the indigenous people of the Americas.
Yesterday was Columbus day, honoring we were told was a brave hero who “founded” a land millions of people knew before him. I’d categorize him under the label of “initiator of mass genocide.”
The Native Americans had and still have it bad.
They’re more prone to disease, addiction, and they have higher suicide rates, than the rest of the U.S. population. So naming a football team after a derogatory reference to the pigment of Native Americans seems like salt in the wound.
There have actually been attempts to change to the name, but, obviously none have been successful.
The name is definitely offensive and demeaning. You’ll never see a team named the “Washington Cross Eyes ” or the “Washington Dark Skins,” so why do we put up with “redskins?”
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On a side note, my beloved Chicago Blackhawks are just as guilty. It doesn’t have to do with the name though, but rather the logo.
My dad bought me this exact item for Christmas last year. I love it, but I couldn’t help but notice how, over the years, the organization made the logo look less and less like a Native American.
At least the Blackhawk on the logo has become happier over the years.
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The Least Intimidating Team Name:
Anaheim Ducks
I swear, I am not picking on Anaheim. But since I was a kid, I always thought their name was funny.
They got rid of “The Mighty Ducks” moniker and changed their logo (which I thought was a mistake), but they are still named after a species of animal I tossed bread to as a child.
Look at that thing. Scary.
I also have a weird feeling that the Mighty Ducks movie franchise has something to do with my labeling of the Anaheim Ducks as the least intimidating team name.
It’s hard to feel intimidated about a team when their associated with an awfully amazing Disney Channel movie.
Emilio Estevez’s performance in this franchise should’ve been labeled as the ‘performance of the decade.’
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What professional sports team names do you find especially interesting? This post highlights names that are stupid, insensitive, and non-intimidating…but feel free to counter my choices with those you find clever or especially strong.
The comment section awaits your thoughts.
About Tyler Juranovich
Ive always had a problem with the Utah Jazz. I know they started life as the New Orleans Jazz, which was a pretty cool name, but when the team moved to Utah they shouldve changed the name of the team. Utah isnt exactly known as a hotbed of jazz music.
how about jets, football giants? do not even play in the same state. which state gets the tax when players are payed? my guess bulk goes to n.j.
this is dumber then a fan trying to catch a ball and interfering with a player on his own team.
Any color of Sox. Or, in fact, any color (I’m looking at you Cinci and St. Louis)
And to clarify about the Angels: they have always played in Anaheim, they just added the Los Angeles part recently to try to sell merchandise to a larger fan base.
No, you are wrong. The Los Angeles Angeles started out in the City of LA playing in Dodger Stadium (they called it “Chavez Ravine”) in 1962 through 1967. They moved to Anaheim in 1968 or thereabouts. The major league Angels adopted the long time team name of the PCL minor league team that played in Los Angeles and were owned by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.
“I am a red-skin.” – French Crow, the principal chief of the Wahpekute band of Santee Sioux.
The term “redskin” arose from literal translation of Native American language. Neither Indians or people of European descent considered the term offensive.
http://anthropology.si.edu/goddard/redskin.pdf
Sorry, sir, but this article is weak. When the Angels moved from LA to Anaheim, the city of Los Angeles wouldn’t let them keep the name. They became the California Angels for decades. It is a marketing and TV package that ‘inspired’ the Angels to add Los Angeles to their name.
Redskins and all Indian names show our lack of sophistication. However, it is the Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop that is truly disgusting.
You people are too damn sensitive. These names were used out of respect, just like the vikings, cowboys, buccaneers, and patriots
Please do an article on college names so we can all
talk about Beavers!!