54 Football-Inspired Baby Names for the Biggest Little Fans

These football-inspired names will score plenty of extra points with fans.

Fact checked by Karen Cilli

Some families reserve Saturdays and Sundays for college and professional football. The sport is now on TV every night of the week these days—and unlike some traditionalists, football-loving families aren’t complaining.

Expecting another teammate (or more)? Choosing a moniker can be a challenge. Some families may opt to name a child after a beloved relative or seek a name that starts with a specific letter like A. However, a football-inspired name could make for a winning choice for fanatics.

Don’t worry—professional players won’t mind that you took the name off the shirt on their backs. However, you don’t have to snag a football-inspired moniker straight from a current or former collegiate or professional roster. History-making women in front offices and sidelines, mascots, and even team names serve as inspiration for standing ovation-worthy choices for a new bundle of joy.

From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to groundbreaking women, these are the best baby names for football fans.

Travis

This name is perfect for fans of the Super Bowl-winning tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce (or his famous girlfriend, Taylor Swift).

Kelsey

Inspired by the pronunciation of the last name “Kelce,” this moniker is great for football-loving families expecting a little girl.

Taylor

No, not Swift. Lawrence Taylor (aka L.T.) was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Super Bowl champion for the New York Giants. The linebacker is considered one of the best to play the position.

Lawrence

This name serves as another way to recognize L.T. The meaning, “bright one, shining one,” may feel exceptionally sentimental to parents.

Jason

Speaking of football-loving families, the Kelces seem to have usurped the Mannings for the sport’s first family. The feel-good story of Super Bowl LVII was the Kelce “sibling rivalry,” as Travis’ Chiefs played the Eagles, where brother Jason is a center. Jason has a ring himself from Super Bowl LII, played in 2018.

Sarah

Overseas, soccer is actually called football. Sarah Fuller proved you could do both and made history in the process. On Nov. 28, 2020, Fuller became the first woman to play in a Power 5 conference football game when she kicked off the Commodores game vs. Missouri. Two weeks later, she became the first woman to score a point when she went 2-for-2 on extra points vs. Tennessee. Sarah is also the name of Sarah Thomas, the NFL’s first female referee.

Tom

Even non-football fans can probably guess who this one is about. Tom Brady’s 23-season NFL career includes seven Super Bowl titles, three MVP awards, numerous endorsements with lifestyle brands like Ugg, and the distinction as the greatest player ever.

Brady

If Tom seems too traditional, Brady is another way to honor the GOAT.

Patrick

Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, has become the toast of the NFL after winning a pair of Super Bowls. Mahomes was named the MVP of both Super Bowls, becoming just the second Black quarterback to win the honor in 2019.

Peyton

Whether you’re a fan of Peyton Manning from his playing days or a current Manningcast ESPN gig during Monday Night Football games with his brother, Eli, Peyton is a true winner.

Payton

You could use the “Payton” spelling in honor of Walter Payton, a former Bears running back considered one of the league’s best ever.

Raven

The Baltimore team name will stand out on a kindergarten class roster full of children named “Emma” and “Olivia.”

Andrew

Andrew Luck was a first-round pick for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012 after producing an All-American career at Stanford. He broke the league’s record for most passing yards by a rookie (4,374 yards) but retired in 2019 after a barrage of injuries. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

Aaron

Aaron Rodgers is the lightning-rod (and currently injured) Jets quarterback who led the Green Bay Packers to Super Bowl glory in 2010.

Rodger

If you’re a Rodgers fan looking for a name that begins with “R,” Rodger is a natural fit. You can also spell it Roger, too.

Beckham

You could say the soccer player David Beckham inspires this name, but fans of the American version of football may choose it for NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr.

Cam

Cam Newton won a Heisman Trophy and national championship in his junior year at Auburn University. The quarterback was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2011 and won the NFL MVP Award in 2015.

Landry

This name honors former NFL player and coach Tom Landry, who also suited up for the New York Yankees in 1949.

Eli

This ELIte name honors the two-time Super Bowl-winning former Giants quarterback.

Ellie

Alternatively, parents can use this name, perhaps for a little girl, that’s inspired by “Eli.” The name means torch, light, sunray, noble, and exalted.

Jerry

Jerry Rice is best known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played wide receiver and was a crucial part of a trio of Super Bowl-winning teams. He is enshrined in the Professional and College Football Hall of Fames. Cowboys fans can use this name to honor owner Jerry Jones.

Joe

There’s no shortage of NFL greats you can honor with this name, particularly quarterbacks: Joe Namath, Joe Montana, and Joe Theismann, to name three.

Steve

Steve Young took the torch from Joe Montana in San Francisco and won three Super Bowl rings and a pair of MVP awards.

Jet

Fans of the New York Jets will adore this slick moniker for a tiny tyke.

Troy

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current broadcaster Troy Aikman continues to leave a mark on the game in the booth. Troy Polamalu was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection at safety for the Steelers.

Jim

The line, “Hello Friends, Jim Nantz," has greeted fans watching NFL games on CBS for decades. This name honors the man behind the mic.

Austin

Miles Austin signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of non-football power Monmouth University in New Jersey. He went on to be named to a pair of Pro Bowls.

Miles

This name is another way to recognize Miles Austin (or the number of miles players run to prepare for the season when no one is watching).

Tiki

Tiki Barber was a three-time Pro Bowler for the New York Giants and is in the franchise’s Ring of Honor. Since retiring, he’s been a broadcaster, Food Network judge, and New York City marathon finisher.

Reggie

Known as the “Minister of Defense,” former Packers defensive end Reggie White is widely considered one of the best players of all time. The 13-time Pro Bowler led the Packers to Super Bowl glory in 1997.

Tony

Tony Romo, the one-time Dallas Cowboys quarterback, is now a fixture in the broadcast booth. It’s short for Antonio, which means “priceless” or “flower.”

Amy

Amy Trask made history in 1997 when she was appointed CEO of the Raiders, becoming the first woman to hold the position for an NFL team.

Terry

Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers—a record at the time—and has been a co-host on Fox NFL Sunday since 1994.

Russell

Russell Wilson’s ability to run and throw the football has made him a blast to watch during his NFL career, which includes time spent with the Seahawks and Broncos. He was named Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2020 and is a Super Bowl champ.

Charles

Charles Woodson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. He won a Super Bowl title with the Packers in 2010. Charles can feel like a regal name (see: King Charles III in the U.K.) and means “free man.”

Saint

Kardashian references aside, this name is inspired by the New Orleans team.

Art

Art Rooney is considered one of the most legendary owners of all time, having founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933. He was the executive for four Super Bowl-winning teams and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Art” is short for Arthur, which means “strong man.”

Robert

Patriots fans will love this moniker inspired by owner Robert Kraft, who has engineered six Super Bowl championship-winning teams. “Robert” means “bright fame,” which Kraft has undoubtedly achieved.

Bart

Bart Starr led the Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls ever played, making this moniker ideal for football history buffs.

Damar

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills has served as an inspiration for even non-football fans for how he’s handled himself since suffering cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game in early 2023.

Kim

Kim Pegula is one of the principal owners of the Buffalo Bills, along with her husband, Terry. Kim  means “gold” or “metal.” Pegula was born in South Korea, where Kim is also a popular surname.

Matthew

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in 2009. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 and led the team to a Super Bowl win. Matthew means “gift of God.”

Erin

Erin Andrews has been a fixture on the sidelines since joining ESPN in the early aughts. She’s now a member of the team at Fox Sports. The pretty Irish name means “peace.”

Susan

This name honors Suzy Kolber, the former (and long-time) host of numerous NFL-focused shows on ESPN. She was the host of Monday Night NFL Countdown from 2015-2023 and was commended for her handling of the Hamlin cardiac arrest, which occurred on live TV.

Kathryn

Kathryn Smith is the former special teams quality control coach for the Buffalo Bills and is the first full-time female coach in league history.

Drew

This gender-neutral name is inspired by former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, considered one of the best signal-callers of the modern era.

Donna

One last Kelce reference for the Swifties out there. Donna Kelce is the matriarch of the sport’s unofficial First Family.

Michael

Fans can draw from numerous inspirations when giving a little one this name: Former tackle Michael Oher, Hall-of-Famer-turned-broadcaster Mike Ditka, and Michael Strahan, who was a defensive end and is enjoying a second act as Good Morning America host.

Emmitt

Emmitt Smith’s 15-year NFL career is most remembered for his three Super Bowl wins with the Dallas Cowboys.

John

This classic name could be inspired by former Denver Broncos great John Elway or John Heisman, for whom the Heisman Trophy that annually honors the best player in college football is named.

Alan

Alan Page was a leader of the “Purple People Eater,” a nickname for the Minnesota Vikings defensive line at the time, and was the first defensive player to win MVP.

Elizabeth

History-making broadcaster Elizabeth “Beth” Mowins became the first woman in decades to call a nationally televised NFL game in 2017. Elizabeth means “God’s promise” or “God’s oath.”

Daniel

Dan Marino spent 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and is considered the best quarterback never to win a Super Bowl.

Barry

Barry Sanders played in the NFL for a decade, all with the Detroit Lions. He was named league MVP in 1997.

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