How to name a football team

Choosing the right name for your football team is about more than just words on a badge. A team name represents identity, unity, and belonging, it’s what players wear with pride and supporters rally behind. A great team name can unite players and leave a lasting impression both on and off the pitch. Whether you’re forming a grassroots team, launching a new academy, or rebranding an established club, getting the name right is a crucial first step in helping define who you are and what you stand for.

A good team name needs to reflect your values, connect with your local community, and stand the test of time as your team grows and evolves. Typically, team names represent the location of the team, however, there are exceptions such as Celtics, Rangers, and Rovers which more reflect the heritage and values of the club. In this guide, we will break down the key considerations for creating a team name such as tradition, creativity, location, and identity,  to help you create a strong football team name that sets the tone for your club’s culture both on and off the field. Covering everything from popular football club names to the meanings of football team suffixes, we’re here to help give you the best starting point possible for creating your own club name.

How to choose a football club name

Coming up with a team name can be difficult, as there are many elements you need to consider to ensure you create a name that is unique, easy to pronounce and best represents the identity of your club. Below we have broken down the key considerations you need to be aware of when thinking of ideas.

Define your identity

The first step in coming up with a team name is to define your identity. Start by thinking about what defines your team - are you focused on tradition, community involvement, or competitiveness? Your team name should align with your values and the culture you want to build within the squad.

For example, a team that values heritage and tradition might choose a classic name such as Town FC, Athletic, or Rangers. A club built around community and togetherness may favour names like United or incorporate a local landmark or neighbourhood. By defining your identity early on, you give your team name purpose and direction, making it easier to choose a name that players feel connected to and proud to represent.

Consider your location 

Many football teams draw inspiration from their local area, whether that’s a town, neighbourhood, landmark, or historical reference. Using a geographic connection can help build pride and strengthen the community feel for the club. Most professional football clubs in England take their name from the area they’re based in, which has already proven that a location-based team name is a great way to stir up local pride and gives your team a sense of authenticity.

Keep it simple and memorable

A strong team name should be easy to say, simple to remember, and quick to recognise. Avoid overly complicated words or long phrases that are difficult to chant, print on kits, or use across social media and branding. Think about the longevity of the name, choosing something that will grow with your team over time - what works for a youth team today should still feel relevant as the club develops. Avoid any trends or jokes that may feel dated after a few seasons.

Team names that include jokes or trends are better suited to casual 5-a-side teams - examples of which you can find in our dedicated 5-a-side team name blog.

Check availability and regulations

Before finalising your name, it’s important to make sure it isn’t already in use within your league or region. Many competitions have naming guidelines, so it’s important to confirm whether your chosen name meets official requirements and avoids confusion with existing teams.

Visual and branding potential

Your team name should work well alongside your badge, colours, and kit design. Think about how it will look on a shirt, on signage, and across digital platforms. Consider if it will be easy to read, if the colours will clash, and whether the name will fit inside a crest or logo. A strong name makes branding easier and more impactful.

By taking the time to consider these elements, you are on your way to choosing a football team name that best represents your club with pride and helps build a strong identity from the very first kick-off.

How to choose a football team suffix

A football team suffix is the final part of your club’s name that plays a big role in shaping identity and tradition. Whether it’s FC, United, Rovers, or Wanderers, the right suffix can add meaning, credibility, and character to your team name. Common football suffixes often reflect a club’s structure, history, or philosophy, with each having a specific meaning. While there are over 20 different football suffixes used in football across the UK, we’ve put together a list of the most popular and famous football suffixes to help provide inspiration on which option is best for your team name:

• United - One of the most popular football suffixes, ‘United’ is commonly used to signify that the club is formed as the result of a union of two clubs, representing the community feel of the club
• FC (Football Club) - This is another common suffix that is both classic and professional, signifying it's a team dedicated to the sport, indicating a traditional club structure rather than a franchise
• City - Another commonly used suffix,‘City’ and ‘Town’ are used to represent their home location such as Manchester City and Luton Town
• Wanderers - Along with ‘Rovers’ this suffix is traditionally added to clubs that don’t have an established home ground. There are exceptions to this, with some clubs using this suffix now having a home ground but choosing to keep this suffix as part of their history
• Academic - Clubs that take these football suffixes have their roots in academic institutions such as a university. Hamilton Academical or ‘The Accies’ is an example of a club with this football suffix in Scotland
• Collieries - Most commonly found in clubs within the North of England, this suffix represents the region’s rich mining history, giving a nod to the history of their town
• Days of the week - Football suffixes that are days of the week are very uncommon, with the most notable example in football today being Sheffield Wednesday, with the origin of this choice used to mark it as different from Sheffield United, the rival club from this city
• Albion - This suffix is the archaic term for UK and is used by clubs including West Bromwich Albion and Brighton & Hove Albion, and is simply used to represent the home country of the club
• Caledonian - Similar to the suffix ‘Albion’ being used by English clubs, ‘Caledonian’ is commonly used by Scottish football clubs to signify their own Scottish highlands heritage, the most famous example of this being Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.

The suffix you choose should align with your club - a community-focused team may suit United, while a competitive or elite-level side may prefer something traditional like FC. The suffix should feel natural when spoken and reflect your club’s values. Keep in mind that some suffixes work better depending on your team’s age group or level. Youth teams often keep things simple, while adult or semi-professional teams may benefit from a more established-sounding suffix. If you plan to grow the club, make sure to choose a suffix that won’t limit you in the future.

Before finalising your name, make sure the suffix is allowed within your league and not already in use by a nearby team. This avoids confusion and ensures your club name is officially recognised.

Establish your new football club name with Avec Sport

Once you’ve chosen your new football club name, your next step is to design a team kit for your members. Our collection of football team kits are available in a range of colours to suit your club’s identity which can all be personalised with your team crest, name, and any sponsors you have.