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Are you looking for a way to share your love of football with your dog? Football dog names–names derived from famous players as well as football terms–can be a fun way to extend your love of the game year around.
Football Terms
Blitz
Bootleg
Bowl
Carry
Champ
Coach
End Zone
Defense
Gridder
Gridiron
Hail Mary
Heisman
Hike
Huddle
Hut Hut
Kick
Kicker
Lineman
Offense
Omaha
Pass
Pigskin
Quarterback
Receiver
Ref or Referee
Replay
Safety
Scrimmage
Snap
Spike
Stadium
Super Bowl
Tackle
Touchdown
Turf
White 80
Yardage
Famous Players
Aikman (Troy Aikman) — The name Aikman is widely known as the surname of NFL legend Troy Aikman who led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories. The name is a combination of two words – “Aic” meaning oak tree and “mann” meaning man.
Bradshaw (Terry Bradshaw) — The name Bradshaw is of English origin and has multiple meanings. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English words “brad,” which translates to broad, and “shaw,” referring to a wooded area or grove. Over time, the meaning of this name evolved from being associated with rural life and nature into being more broadly associated with strength and resilience.
Brady (Tom Brady) — The name Brady has many layers of meaning and origin. It is a name that originally derived from two distinct sources, the Irish surname Ó Brádaigh meaning ‘spirited’ and the Old English Bradan, meaning ‘broad’. The dual roots of this moniker give it a unique presence in today’s world, indicating both strength and expansiveness.
Brees (Drew Brees) — The name Brees is derived from an Old English term meaning “brave,” and it has been used as a given name since the 1700s. In more recent times, the name has become popularized by NFL quarterback Drew Brees, who led the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl victory in 2009.
Butkus (Dick Butkus) — The name Butkus is a popular Slavic surname originating from Lithuania. It is thought to be derived from the Lithuanian word for “boulder” or “rock”–a great name for a Mastiff!
Cam (Cam Newton) — The name Cam is a popular unisex baby name and is of Scottish origin. It has two possible meanings depending on the origin of the name; one meaning is “crooked nose” or “bent nose,” while the other meaning is “brave” or “bold.” (You can also opt for Cammie, Cammy, Camilla, and Camille as dog names.) Cam can also be used as an abbreviation for Cameron which means “crooked stream” in Gaelic.
Dak (Dak Prescott) — The name Dak has origins in multiple cultures and languages. The name can be derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning “law” or “justice”; the root of the name is also related to the Arabic word for knowledge or power. It can also be traced back to Sanskrit and even Latin words meaning “lord” or “leader.” In Africa, Dak is thought to be related to Dagomba words that mean either “to call” or “king.” It’s also seen as having ties with ancient Egyptian names such as Daka and Dakarai. Finally, in Ireland, it’s thought to come from an old Gaelic term meaning powerful or strong-willed.
Deion (Deion Sanders) — The name Deion is of Greek origin, and comes from the word diós meaning ‘of Zeus’. Deion is also said to be derived from the Latin word dei which means god or divine.
Dez (Dez Bryant) — The name Dez is an English name derived from the ancient Latin word desideratum, which means something desired or wished for. It first appeared in the 19th century, and has since become popular throughout the United States. Dez is often used as a shortened version of other names beginning with Des-.
Elway (John Elway) — The name Elway is a unique and interesting name that has been used in the United States since at least the early 19th century. It is believed to be of Scottish origin, probably as a nickname for a person who was an expert horseman and could “elway” his way out of any dangerous situation.
In modern times, the name Elway has become synonymous with American football thanks to Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who played for the Denver Broncos from 1983 to 1998 and became one of the most successful players in NFL history.
Favre (Brett Favre) — No one’s quite sure of the origin of the name Favre although it’s probably French (from the Normandy region) or Swiss. If you go the Swiss route, the name is derived from the given name Fauvre or Fauver, which came from an ancient Germanic word meaning “flee.”
Jerry (Jerry Rice) — This common name dates back to ancient times, originating in France during the Middle Ages as a diminutive of “Geraldin,” or “rule of the spear.”
Lamar (Lamar Jackson) — The name Lamar is derived from the Latin word for “the sea” and is one of the most frequently used given names in America, with its popularity rising from number 616 in 1880 to number 195 by 2018.
Lombardi (Vince Lombardi) — The name Lombardi is a popular Italian surname, linked to ancient Roman and Etruscan cultures. While some claim that the origins of this surname can be traced back to the Latin term Lumbardus meaning brave and bold, others believe that it may have originated from place names in Italy such as Lunardo or Lombardia. Regardless of its exact origins, today when one hears the name Lombardi many think of legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi who was known for his tough-minded approach and for leading the Green Bay Packers to five NFL Championships between 1959-67.
Madden (John Madden) — The name Madden is of Irish origin and has several meanings. It can be translated as “son of a hero” or “bold protector”. The first known use of this name dates back to the 7th century, when it was used as a boy’s given name in Ireland and Scotland. In modern times, however, the name is most often used for both genders.
The original Gaelic form of Madden comes from O’Madadhain (son of Madadh), which means “doglike” or “fierce one”.
Mahomes (Patrick Mahomes) — The name Mahomes is an intriguing moniker that has gained a lot of attention recently, thanks to the success of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is derived from two African languages, Manding and Fula, both spoken in West Africa. The name itself translates to “king” or “chief.”
Manning (Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning) — The name Manning has been used in England for centuries with various spellings such as Maning, Mainning and Mannyng. Fans will know the name from the famous family which has produced three NFL quarterbacks.
Marino (Dan Marino) — Marino is a name of Italian origin derived from the Latin word marinus which translates to mean “of the sea” or “marine.”
Marshawn (Marshawn Lynch) — Marshawn is a name of English origin, derived from the Latin Mars, meaning “God of War.”
Montana (Joe Montana) — Montana was derived from the Spanish verb montar, which means to mount or climb. Another potential meaning comes from Latin roots, where montana refers to anything related to “mountains” or “hills.”
Namath (Joe Namath) — Namath is derived from the Arabic word namat which translates to “gift.” It’s often given as a symbol of love and respect, with a meaning of “You are my gift” or “My gift to you.”
Joe Namath, who played for the New York Jets in the 1960s and 70s, was also known by the nickname “Broadway Joe” and he was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Odell (Odelle Beckham Jr.) — The name Odell first originated in France, although the exact origin is unknown. The name means “wealthy” or “prosperous.” Odell is said to be a derivative of the Germanic word Odo, which can also mean wealthy or prosperous.
Payton (Walter Payton) — The name Payton is a popular unisex name that has been used in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The origin of the name Payton is uncertain, however some sources believe it is derived from an English surname meaning “noble” or “patrician”.
Perry (William Perry) — Often better known as “The Fridge,” William Perry’s name is an ancient one, with roots stretching all the way back to the Latin and Greek languages. Its original meaning was “to pass through,” a reference to its literary use in Virgil’s Aeneid, where it described a ford on the river Tiber.
In England and Wales, for example, Perry is thought to originate from the Old English pyrige meaning pear tree – referring to someone who lived near or owned such a tree. In Ireland it may mean “rock” due to its association with St Peter’s Rock in Wexford county. Elsewhere it can have more unusual connections – for example, in France it could be related to Pierre (Peter) or even Petrus (stone).
Peyton (Peyton Manning) — The name Peyton is of English origin and has a deep meaning behind its roots. It is an old English name initially used to refer to someone who lived in a small village or hamlet–perfect for the small town dog!
Reggie (Reggie White) — The name Reggie is an English name of uncertain origin, although it is often associated with Reginald and its Latin roots, rex meaning “king”. In other languages, the name Reggie may have different meanings. For example, in German it could mean “advice” or “counsel” from the word raten.
Staubach (Roger Staubach) — Staubach is most commonly associated with Roger Staubach, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback affectionately known by fans as “Captain America” due to his heroic performances on the field, leading the team to two Super Bowl wins.
The name Staubach has German origins and is derived from the word Staub, meaning dust. It is believed to have originated with a family of German farmers who lived in a dusty area.
Terrell (Terrell Owens) — Terrell is a popular name with origins in both Irish and French culture. Derived from the Gaelic word for “strong hill”, Terrell has been used as a surname for centuries, before eventually being adopted as a male name.
Trevon (Trevon Diggs) — The name Trevon is most commonly interpreted as derived from the Latin word trevus which means “vibrant”. Additionally, some believe that the name also has its roots in an Old French word trever which refers to someone who lives near a town or settlement.
Tua (Tua Tagovailoa) — The name Tua is a Polynesian name that is growing in popularity, both nationally and internationally. It has roots in the Hawaiian language and can be translated to mean “flowering” or “divinely favored.” In the Hawaiian culture this refers to the idea of being blessed with good fortune and beauty. The word itself has been used for centuries as an expression of respect for those who had achieved success, often in spite of difficult circumstances–a perfect name for a rescue dog who has weathered tough times.
Watt (JJ Watt) — The name Watt is derived from a Scottish surname traced back to Old English words for ‘watch tower’ or ‘guardian’.
“Success isn’t owned, it’s leased. And rent is due every day.” — JJ Watt (a quote that might hold as true for dog training as it does football!)
Names Inspired by Football Teams
49er (San Francisco 49ers)
Bear (Chicago Bears)
Bengal (Cincinnati Bengals)
Bill (Buffalo Bills)
Bronc or Bronco (Denver Broncos)
Brown or Brownie (Cleveland Browns)
Buc or Bucky (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Buff or Buffy (Buffalo Bills)
Cardinal (Arizona Cardinals)
Charger (LA Chargers)
Chief (Kansas City Chiefs)
Colt (Indianapolis Colts)
Commander (Washington Commanders)
Cowboy (Dallas Cowboys)
Dolphin (Miami Dolphins)
Eagle (Philadelphia Eagles)
Falcon (Atlanta Falcons)
Giant (New York Giants)
Jag or Jaguar (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Jet or Jetty (New York Jets)
Lion (Detroit Lions)
Packer (Green Bay Packers)
Panther (Carolina Panthers)
Pat or Patriot (New England Patriots)
Raider (Las Vegas Raiders)
Ram (LA Rams)
Raven (Baltimore Ravens)
Saint (New Orleans Saints)
Seahawk (Seattle Seahawks)
Steeler (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Texan (Houston Texans)
Titan (Tennessee Titans)
Viking (Minnesota Vikings)
More dog names you might like
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