Some NFL team names are iconic—steeped in history, power, or straight-up coolness. Others leave you scratching your head, wondering what the naming committee was thinking. From fierce to forgettable, not every name hits the mark.
So, we’re ranking all 32 NFL team names from worst to best—because let’s face it, some just do it better than others.
32. Washington Commanders
The most uninspired name in NFL history. After years of controversy, Washington had a golden opportunity to pick something awesome. Instead, they went with “Commanders,” which sounds more like a minor-league soccer team. The fans deserved better.
31. Houston Texans
Imagine being so uncreative that your team name is just the name of the people who live in your state. This has the same energy as calling a team the “Oregon Oregonians.”
30. Cleveland Browns
Naming your team after a guy (Paul Brown) instead of an animal, object, or concept is a choice. To make matters worse, they don’t even lean into the color brown with their uniforms.
29. Indianapolis Colts
Colts make sense in Baltimore (their original home) because of the horse-racing culture. But in Indiana? Not so much.
28. New York Jets
Props for the simplicity, but “Jets” doesn’t really scream fearsome football team. Also, their planes have been grounded for decades.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Why is a team in the desert named after a small red bird that lives in the Eastern U.S.? At least switch to Roadrunners or Scorpions to fit the Arizona vibe.
26. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams name was great when they were in St. Louis. In LA? Feels random. There are zero rams wandering through Hollywood.
25. Carolina Panthers
A decent name, but a little safe. Panthers are cool, but this name isn’t doing anything special.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pirates are fun, but the name Buccaneers feels a little too sophisticated. If they went with the Tampa Bay Marauders, now we’re talking.
23. Los Angeles Chargers
Electricity-themed names have potential, but Chargers sounds too corporate—like a finance company or a phone-charging brand.
22. Atlanta Falcons
A solid name, but a little safe. Falcons are cool birds, but they don’t exactly instill fear.
21. Tennessee Titans
Greek mythology is great and all, but Titans just feels a little vague. If you’re going for ancient power, why not go all-in with Tennessee Gods?
20. Kansas City Chiefs
The name is fine, but it’s also controversial. In fact, there are a lot of football fans that think Kansas City should change their name.
19. Buffalo Bills
It’s cool that they leaned into Buffalo’s identity, but the team is named after a guy, Buffalo Bill Cody, not the animal. If it were actually the Buffalo Buffaloes, that would be elite.
18. New England Patriots
Patriots fits for Boston and the surrounding area, but the name is a little dry. Where’s the creativity? The New England Minutemen would have been way cooler.
17. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers name is historically accurate, referencing the California Gold Rush of 1849. It’s unique, but let’s be honest, no one is afraid of a prospector.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles are majestic, they represent America, and they look great on a helmet. A safe, above-average name that works.
15. Baltimore Ravens
Shoutout to Edgar Allan Poe for making this name possible. It’s gothic, eerie, and unique, but would have been even cooler if they leaned fully into the Nevermore theme.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
The name pays tribute to the city’s industrial history, which is great. But let’s be honest—Steelers doesn’t sound as intimidating as a team named after steel should.
13. Chicago Bears
A classic name, simple and strong. Bears are one of the best animals to name a team after, so Chicago nailed it.
12. Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks aren’t real birds (it’s a nickname for ospreys), but it sounds great and fits Seattle’s Pacific Northwest identity. Plus, the logo is iconic.
11. Detroit Lions
Lions are majestic, powerful, and always kings of the jungle—unlike the team itself. If only the Lions played as fiercely as their name suggests.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Tigers are overused in sports, but Bengals sounds way cooler than just “Tigers.” Bonus points for the best helmet design in the NFL.
9. New Orleans Saints
A totally unique name that fits the city’s culture. It’s elegant, meaningful, and has a built-in chant (Who Dat?).
8. Miami Dolphins
Dolphins might not be intimidating, but they are fast, smart, and athletic, which actually makes them a great metaphor for football.
7. Dallas Cowboys
This name just oozes swagger. Cowboys are iconic, cool, and represent toughness. It’s hard not to like it.
6. Denver Broncos
Wild horses? Absolutely badass. Broncos are fast, strong, and untamed, which is exactly what you want in a football team name.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Vikings are historical warriors, and that automatically makes this name elite. Plus, the horns on the helmets? Perfection.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars are fast, lethal, and underrated—just like Jacksonville should be. The alliteration works, the imagery is strong, and honestly, it’s just a perfect football name.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders just sounds cool. It’s intimidating, it matches their black-and-silver look, and it carries an outlaw swagger.
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2. New York Giants
This name is simple but epic. Giants are massive, powerful, and unstoppable—exactly what a football team should embody.
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1. Green Bay Packers
It’s one of the weirdest names in the NFL, but it works because of tradition. Plus, it gave us the cheesehead culture, which is legendary.
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