262 NFL Teams Named After Animals

When it comes to sports teams, many franchises take their names from the animal kingdom. In fact, some of the most popular NFL teams are named after real or mythical creatures, showcasing the strength, agility, and power these animals symbolize. This article explores a wide range of animal-themed NFL team names, organized into various categories for easy reading.

The History Of Animal-Themed Team Names In The NFL

Animal-themed team names have a rich history in the NFL, originating from the desire to symbolize strength, agility, and power. From the Chicago Bears to the Detroit Lions, these names are rooted in the American tradition of associating animals with certain traits.

Over time, teams have adopted creatures that represent their region’s spirit or characteristics, creating a lasting connection between fans and the teams.

These names continue to evolve, with some teams embracing mythical creatures to further engage their fan base.

Top 5 Most Popular Animal-Themed NFL Teams

The Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons stand out as the most iconic animal-themed NFL teams. Each of these franchises has a massive fan following, and their names reflect both strength and resilience.

These teams use animal symbolism to create a unique identity that fans can rally behind, making them a central part of the NFL landscape and contributing to their longevity.

The Significance Of Animal Symbolism In Sports

Animal symbolism in sports goes beyond just creating an interesting team name. It taps into deeply ingrained human emotions, like power, speed, and fearlessness.

Teams like the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals use these traits to build an identity that aligns with the NFL‘s values of competition and dominance.

Fans associate the qualities of these animals with their favorite teams, further solidifying the connection between the animal and the athletes on the field.

Impact Of Animal Team Names On Fan Culture And Merchandise Sale

Animal-themed team names have a significant influence on fan culture and merchandise sales. The connection between a team and its animal mascot creates a sense of pride and belonging, which fans express through jerseys, hats, and other memorabilia.

Animal Team Names

The world of NFL team names includes a wide variety of animals, from ferocious predators to majestic creatures. These names help create an identity for the team and connect with fans on a deeper level. Here’s a list of teams inspired by animals:

Atlanta Falcons
Chicago Bears
Carolina Panthers
Detroit Lions
Miami Dolphins
Philadelphia Eagles
Buffalo Bills
Dallas Cowboys
Los Angeles Rams
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
Washington Commanders
Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants
New Orleans Saints
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Kansas City Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders
San Francisco 49ers
Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks
San Diego Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars
New York Jets
Oakland Raiders
Houston Texans
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cardinals
Atlanta Hawks
Miami Marlins
Oakland A’s
Arizona Coyotes
Buffalo Sabres
Carolina Hurricanes
Washington Capitals
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Indians
Orlando Magic
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Clippers
Sacramento Kings
Dallas Mavericks
Minnesota Timberwolves
Charlotte Hornets
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors
Chicago Bulls
Toronto Raptors
Brooklyn Nets
Milwaukee Bucks
Detroit Pistons
Washington Wizards
Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Miami Heat
Los Angeles Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder

Animal Sports Teams

Sports teams named after animals are a popular choice across various sports leagues, not just in the NFL. These animals represent power, speed, and strength. Below are additional examples from multiple sports:

Arizona Diamondbacks (Baseball)
Chicago Cubs (Baseball)
Boston Red Sox (Baseball)
Detroit Tigers (Baseball)
Chicago White Sox (Baseball)
New York Yankees (Baseball)
Seattle Mariners (Baseball)
St. Louis Cardinals (Baseball)
Los Angeles Angels (Baseball)
Tampa Bay Rays (Baseball)
Cleveland Indians (Baseball)
Colorado Rockies (Baseball)
New York Mets (Baseball)
Oakland Athletics (Baseball)
Texas Rangers (Baseball)
Toronto Blue Jays (Baseball)
Milwaukee Brewers (Baseball)
Minnesota Twins (Baseball)
San Francisco Giants (Baseball)
Miami Marlins (Baseball)
Atlanta Braves (Baseball)
Philadelphia Phillies (Baseball)
Washington Nationals (Baseball)
Cincinnati Reds (Baseball)
San Diego Padres (Baseball)
Baltimore Orioles (Baseball)
Kansas City Royals (Baseball)
New Jersey Devils (Hockey)
Nashville Predators (Hockey)
Vancouver Canucks (Hockey)
Carolina Panthers (Football)
Buffalo Bills (Football)
Detroit Lions (Football)
Atlanta Falcons (Football)
Los Angeles Rams (Football)
Denver Broncos (Football)
Green Bay Packers (Football)
Chicago Bears (Football)
Minnesota Vikings (Football)
Tennessee Titans (Football)
Seattle Seahawks (Football)
Philadelphia Eagles (Football)

Sports Teams Named After Animals

Across different sports, animals often make their way into team names. Whether it’s a powerful predator or a clever creature, these animals bring a sense of ferocity and pride. Here are more examples of teams that have embraced the animal kingdom in their names:

New York Jets (Football)
Buffalo Sabres (Hockey)
Boston Bruins (Hockey)
Calgary Flames (Hockey)
Chicago Blackhawks (Hockey)
Detroit Red Wings (Hockey)
Florida Panthers (Hockey)
Montreal Canadiens (Hockey)
Ottawa Senators (Hockey)
Philadelphia Flyers (Hockey)
Pittsburgh Penguins (Hockey)
Tampa Bay Lightning (Hockey)
Washington Capitals (Hockey)
Arizona Coyotes (Hockey)
Minnesota Wild (Hockey)
St. Louis Blues (Hockey)
Toronto Maple Leafs (Hockey)
Dallas Stars (Hockey)
Columbus Blue Jackets (Hockey)
New Jersey Devils (Hockey)
San Jose Sharks (Hockey)
Los Angeles Kings (Hockey)
Nashville Predators (Hockey)
Houston Rockets (Basketball)
Los Angeles Lakers (Basketball)
Oklahoma City Thunder (Basketball)
Sacramento Kings (Basketball)
Toronto Raptors (Basketball)
Cleveland Cavaliers (Basketball)
Boston Celtics (Basketball)
Washington Wizards (Basketball)
Charlotte Hornets (Basketball)
Brooklyn Nets (Basketball)
Denver Nuggets (Basketball)
Dallas Mavericks (Basketball)
Golden State Warriors (Basketball)
Chicago Bulls (Basketball)
Atlanta Hawks (Basketball)
Phoenix Suns (Basketball)
Miami Heat (Basketball)
Detroit Pistons (Basketball)
Orlando Magic (Basketball)
New Orleans Pelicans (Basketball)

Mythical Creatures

Some sports teams don’t just stop at real animals—they go a step further and choose mythical or legendary creatures for their names. These creatures, often tied to folklore, represent unique qualities and heroic traits.

Arizona Phoenix (Football)
New England Minutemen (Basketball)
Washington Wizards (Basketball)
Oklahoma City Thunder (Basketball)
San Antonio Spurs (Basketball)
Los Angeles Lakers (Basketball)
Philadelphia 76ers (Basketball)
San Francisco Dragons (Lacrosse)
Buffalo Storm (Lacrosse)
Houston Bandits (Lacrosse)
Carolina Flash (Lacrosse)
New York Titans (Lacrosse)
Toronto Rock (Lacrosse)
Orlando Titans (Lacrosse)
Vancouver Ravens (Lacrosse)
Baltimore Thunder (Lacrosse)
Tampa Bay Storm (Lacrosse)
Atlanta Blaze (Lacrosse)
Chicago Machine (Lacrosse)
Los Angeles Aviators (Lacrosse)
Calgary Roughnecks (Lacrosse)
Kansas City Outlaws (Lacrosse)
Denver Outlaws (Lacrosse)
Portland Lumberjax (Lacrosse)
Toronto Argonauts (Football)
Philadelphia Soul (Football)
Los Angeles Avengers (Football)
Cleveland Gladiators (Football)
Arizona Rattlers (Football)
Orlando Predators (Football)
New Jersey Gladiators (Football)

African Wildlife

Some NFL teams, especially those in the NFL’s international market, have taken inspiration from the majestic and diverse wildlife of Africa. These names embody the strength and resilience of Africa’s most powerful creatures.

Detroit Lions
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
Miami Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles
New Orleans Saints
Minnesota Vikings
Buffalo Bills
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys
Los Angeles Rams
Denver Broncos
Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Commanders
Kansas City Chiefs
Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants
San Francisco 49ers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans
Los Angeles Chargers
Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks
Houston Texans
New York Jets
Oakland Raiders
St. Louis Rams
Chicago Cardinals
San Diego Chargers
Arizona Coyotes
Miami Marlins
San Francisco Giants
Seattle Mariners
Minnesota Twins

Conclusion

NFL teams named after animals are more than just creative labels—they reflect the qualities that these animals represent. From the strength of a lion to the agility of a falcon, these names have become symbols of team pride and identity. Whether they’re inspired by real animals or mythical creatures, the connection between sports and the animal kingdom continues to thrive, creating memorable team names that resonate with fans.

Pro Tips

When naming your team or sports organization, think about the traits you want to embody—speed, strength, or agility.
Consider using both real and mythical animals to create a unique and memorable name.
Don’t be afraid to incorporate local wildlife into your team’s branding.
Think about the history and cultural significance of the animal you’re using.
Keep your team’s name short and catchy so it’s easy to remember!