A club's name is usually composed of two or more of the following elements, in most cases in the language of the club's home country:
Official names often also contain common component (prepositions, conjunctions, etc.) (See List of common club name components section).
In Europe, many (if not most) clubs are named after their towns or cities (e.g. "Deportivo La Coruña", "Liverpool FC", "Hamburger SV"), In South America, clubs are more likely to have names that don't bear the city's name. Some clubs, like Hansa Rostock or Torpedo Moscow may have both.
It is not uncommon for a club to be known in common usage by a name other than its official name, or the name on the badge.
In a few cases there are even common misconceptions about the official name of the club. A common example being Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic, where their proper official names are simply Rangers F.C. and Celtic F.C. Another misunderstanding is Belfast Crusaders where the proper name is just Crusaders F.C.
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Armed forces |
For sport clubs affiliated with the armed forces of a country. See also CSKA. |
 Azerbaijan |
MOIK Baku |
 Belize |
Belize Defence Force |
 Bhutan |
Royal Bhutan Army FC |
 Botswana |
Botswana Defence Force XI |
 Cambodia |
Army Division of Logistics, Royal Cambodian Air Force, Royal Navy |
 Ecuador |
El Nacional |
 England |
Royal Engineers A.F.C. |
 Hungary |
Budapest Honvéd FC |
 Malaysia |
Angkatan Tentera Malaysia FA |
 Myanmar |
Army |
 North Korea |
Haeju Army |
| North Korea |
4.25 Sports Group |
 Pakistan |
Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy |
 Romania |
Steaua Bucharest |
 Singapore |
Singapore Armed Forces Football Club, Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
Defence Force |
| Arsenal |
Factories creating weapons |
 Argentina |
Arsenal de Sarandí |
| England |
Arsenal |
 Honduras |
Arsenal Roatán |
 Russia |
FC Arsenal Tula |
 Ukraine |
FC Arsenal Kyiv |
| Beer |
|
 Eritrea |
Asmara Brewery |
 Ethiopia |
Harrar Beer Botling |
 Peru |
Sporting Cristal |
 Serbia |
FK ČSK Pivara |
| Ukraine |
FC Obolon Kyiv |
| Carpentry |
|
 Italy |
Mobilieri Ponsacco |
 Estonia |
TVMK (Tallinna Vineeri-ja Mööblikombinaat) |
| Cobre- |
Spanish for copper, after association with copper mining |
 Chile |
Club de Deportes Cobreloa, Club Deportes Cobresal |
| Peru |
Cobresol F.B.C. |
| Company name |
Club names containing the name of a company. These clubs were either founded as works teams by a company for its employees (e.g. PSV), bought by a company (e.g. the three Red Bull teams), or incorporate a corporate sponsor's name (e.g. Technogroup). |
Argentina |
Quilmes |
 Austria |
Red Bull Salzburg |
 Brazil |
Red Bull Brasil |
 Colombia |
La Equidad |
| England |
Vauxhall Motors, Rolls Royce Leisure, Billingham Synthonia (An ICI fertiliser brand), Sunderland Nissan, Cammell Laird |
 Germany |
Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Wacker Burghausen, Carl Zeiss Jena |
 Greece |
Skoda Xanthi |
 India |
Air India, Amity United FC, Chirag United SC, Dempo SC, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC,Indian Bank Recreational Club, JCT FC, Kingfisher East Bengal FC, Hindustan Football Club, Mahindra United, Oil India Ltd. FC, ONGC FC,VIVA KERALA |
 Indonesia |
Semen Padang |
| Italy |
Cisco Roma |
 Japan |
Honda Motor, Honda Locks, Mitsubishi Mizushima, Sony Sendai, TDK |
| Peru |
Inti Gas Deportes, Total Clean |
 South Korea |
Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Busan I'Park, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |
 Mexico |
Cruz Azul |
 Moldova
( Transnistria) |
Sheriff Tiraspol |
 Netherlands |
Philips Sport Vereniging |
| Russia |
Lada Togliatti, FC Torpedo-RG, FC Torpedo-ZIL |
 ROC ( Chinese Taipei) |
Tatung |
 Turkey |
Türk Telekomspor |
 Turks and Caicos Islands |
KPMG United |
 USA |
Red Bull New York |
 Wales |
Airbus UK, Technogroup Welshpool Town |
| Electrical |
Bargh: Persian for Electricity |
 Iran |
Bargh Shiraz F.C., Bargh Tehran F.C. |
| Ecuador |
Emelec (The club was founded by the E.M.E.L.E.C. Company.) |
| ROC ( Chinese Taipei) |
Taipower |
| United States |
Houston Dynamo (Refers to Houston's energy-based industrial economy) |
| Germany |
1. FFC Turbine Potsdam(The club was initially supported by the local energy supplier.) |
| Douanes |
French term for Customs and Taxation enforcement, clubs sponsored by these entities |
 Niger |
AS Douanes (Niamey) |
 Senegal |
AS Douanes (Dakar) |
 Togo |
AS Douanes (Lomé) |
 Morocco |
Racing de Casablanca was renamed Association des Douanes Marocains (ADM) from 1969-1980s |
| Industrial Revolution |
formed during the late Victorian Industrial boom |
England |
Middlesbrough Ironopolis F.C. |
| Industrial |
|
 Spain |
UD Gijón Industrial |
| Metallurgy |
Foolad, Zob Ahan, and Mes: Persian for Steel, Steelworks, and Copper. Vasas: "Vas- és Fémmunkások" Hungarian for "Iron and Steel Workers" |
Iran |
Foolad F.C., F.C. Zob Ahan, Mes Kerman F.C. |
| Hungary |
Budapesti Vasas Sport Club |
 Latvia |
FK Liepājas Metalurgs |
| Russia |
Metallurg Krasnoyarsk, Metallurg Lipetsk, Metallurg-Kuzbass Novokuznetsk |
| Ukraine |
Metalurh Donetsk, Metalurh Nikopol, Metalurh Zaporizhia, Stal Alchevsk, Metalist Kharkiv |
 Poland |
Stal Mielec |
| Germany |
Stahl Eisenhüttenstadt |
 Norway |
Stålkameratene |
| United States |
Bethlehem Steel F.C. |
 Uzbekistan |
FK Metallurg Bekobod |
| Mining |
Górnik: Polish for miner
Zagłębie: Polish for coalfield
Minero: Spanish for miner
Colliery: Coal mine
Shakhtar: Ukrainian for miner |
England |
Atherton Collieries, Bentley Colliery, Harworth Colliery Institute, Pontefract Collieries, Thoresby Colliery Welfare, Thorne Colliery, Welbeck Colliery Welfare |
| Blackwell Miners Welfare, Calverton Miners Welfare, Gedling Miners Welfare, Holbrook Miners Welfare, Rainworth Miners Welfare, Staveley Miners Welfare |
| Peru |
Atlético Minero |
| Poland |
Górnik Łęczna, Górnik Polkowice, Górnik Wieliczka Górnik Zabrze, Zagłębie Lubin, Zagłębie Sosnowiec |
 Venezuela |
Atlético Club Mineros de Guayana |
| Ukraine |
Shakhtar Donetsk |
| Municipal |
Indicates a club formed by workers of, or associated with, a city hall or otherwise related local government unit. |
 El Salvador |
Once Municipal |
 Guatemala |
CSD Municipal |
| Peru |
Deportivo Municipal |
 Uganda |
Kampala City Council |
| Navy |
Malavan: Persian for Sailor |
Iran |
Malavan F.C. |
| Patriots |
Named for Patriot Missile System in United States Army at Ft. Bliss |
United States |
El Paso Patriots |
| Petroleum |
Naft: Persian for Petrol |
 Angola |
Académica Petróleo Kwanda Soyo, Atlético Petróleos do Huambo, Atlético Petróleos do Namibe, Atlético Petróleos Luanda |
| Azerbaijan |
Neftchi Baku |
 Bolivia |
Oriente Petrolero |
| Colombia |
Alianza Petrolera |
| Ecuador |
Esmeraldas Petrolero |
| Iran |
Sanat Naft F.C. |
| Police |
For football clubs affiliated with a police force |
Botswana |
Police XI |
| Cambodia |
Military Police |
 China |
Vanguard Hubei Police Academy |
| Ecuador |
Escuela Superior de Policía (ESPOLI) |
| England |
Metropolitan Police, West Midlands Police |
| India |
Punjab Police |
 Iraq |
Al-Shorta |
 Lithuania |
Sostinės Policija Vilnius |
| Malaysia |
PDRM FA |
 Isle of Man |
Police |
 Nepal |
Mahendra Police Club |
| Uganda |
Police FC |
| Poland |
Gwardia Warszawa |
| Singapore |
Home United |
| Singapore |
Police SA |
| Railroad workers |
Rah Ahan (Persian), Ferro Carril (Spanish), for Railroad (noun). Ferroviário (Portuguese) for Railroad (adjective). The "CFR" in CFR Cluj is Căile Ferate Române, the Romanian state railway system. Vasutas means "railroad worker" in Hungarian, Demir means "iron" in Turkish. |
Argentina |
Ferro Carril Oeste, Rosario Central (from Central Argentine Railway) |
| Brazil |
Ferroviário Atlético Clube, Associação Ferroviária de Esportes |
| England |
Darlington Railway Athletic, Harrogate Railway Athletic |
| Germany |
1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig |
| Hungary |
Debreceni Vasutas Sport Klub |
 Scotland |
Inverurie Loco Works F.C. |
| Iran |
Rah Ahan F.C. |
 Mozambique |
Clube Ferroviário da Beira, Clube Ferroviário de Maputo, Clube Ferroviário de Nampula |
| Romania |
CFR Cluj |
| Russia |
FC Lokomotiv Moscow |
| Turkey |
Adana Demirspor, Ankara Demirspor... |
| Sailors |
Marinos: Spanish |
 Australia |
Central Coast Mariners |
| Japan |
Yokohama F. Marinos |
| Shipbuilding |
After the Cammell Laird ship yard |
England |
Cammell Laird F.C. |
| Stevedores or longshoremen |
|
 New Zealand |
Waterside Karori |
| Textile |
Nassaji: Persian for Textile Industry |
Argentina |
Textil Mandiyú |
 Croatia |
NK Varteks Varaždin |
| Iran |
Nassaji Mazandaran F.C. |
| Mozambique |
Grupo Desportivo da Companhia Têxtil do Punguè |
| Spain |
SD Textil Escudo |
| Tractor manufacturing |
|
Iran |
Teraktor Sazi F.C. |
| Russia |
Rotor Volgograd |
| Uzbekistan |
FK Traktor Tashkent |
| Generic |
|
Italy |
SPAL 1907 (Società Polisportiva Ars et Labor) |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Academical |
Affiliation with academics. See also Estudiantes, University, Polytechnic. |
 Bulgaria |
Akademik Sofia, Akademik Svishtov |
 Denmark |
Akademisk Boldklub |
| Germany |
Akademischer BC 1897 Charlottenburg |
 Portugal |
Académica de Coimbra |
| Scotland |
Hamilton Academical, Wick Adademy |
| Old Boys |
Named by and as a reference to ex-pupils of a school |
Argentina |
Newell's Old Boys |
 Switzerland |
BSC Old Boys |
| Young Boys |
Named in contrast to nearby club Old Boys Basel (see Old Boys above) |
Switzerland |
BSC Young Boys |
| Polytechnic |
Affiliation with academics. See also Academical, Estudiantes, University, Technical College. |
Moldova |
FC Politehnica Chişinău |
| Romania |
FC Politehnica Iaşi, Politehnica Ştiinţa Timişoara |
| Students |
Affiliation with students. See also Academical, Polytechnic, University. |
Argentina |
Estudiantes de La Plata, Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, Estudiantes de Buenos Aires |
| Brazil |
Estudantes Sport Club |
| Peru |
Estudiantes de Medicina |
| Romania |
Sportul Studenţesc |
| Venezuela |
Estudiantes de Mérida |
| Technical College |
|
Ecuador |
Técnico Universitario |
| New Zealand |
Christchurch Technical, Dunedin Technical |
| University |
Affiliation with universities. See also Academical, Estudiantes, Polytechnic. |
Bolivia |
Universitario de Sucre |
| Brazil |
Sport Club Ulbra, Universidade Estácio de Sá Futebol Clube |
| Chile |
Universidad Católica, Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Concepción |
 Costa Rica |
Universidad de Costa Rica |
| Ecuador |
LDU Cuenca, LDU Loja, LDU Portoviejo, LDU Quito, Universidad Católica |
| England |
Cambridge University, University of Exeter, Loughborough University, Oxford University |
| Honduras |
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras |
 Ireland |
University College Dublin A.F.C. |
| Mexico |
Estudiantes Tecos, Universidad Nacional, Universitario de Nuevo León, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Benemerita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Ocelotes de la UNACH, Universidad del Futbol, Universidad Autónoma de Hidalgo, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua |
| New Zealand |
University-Mount Wellington |
| Peru |
Universitario de Deportes, Universidad San Martín de Porres, Universidad César Vallejo, Universidad Técnica de Cajamarca, IDUNSA |
| Romania |
FC Universitatea Craiova, Universitatea Cluj |
| Scotland |
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh University |
 South Africa |
Pretoria University FC |
| Spain |
AD Universidad de Oviedo, Universidad de Las Palmas CF |
 Thailand |
Bangkok University FC |
| Venezuela |
Universidad de Los Andes Fútbol Club |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Days of the week |
Clubs named after a specific day of the week |
England |
Sheffield Wednesday |
| Wales |
Abergavenny Thursdays |
| Independence Day |
Clubs named after the day of independence of the country or city |
Argentina |
9 de Julio de Rafaela, 9 de Julio de Morteros, Sportivo 9 de Julio Río Tercero (July 9) |
| Ecuador |
Club 9 de Octubre (October 9) |
| Portugal |
Sociedade União 1º de Dezembro (December 1) |
| Labour Day |
|
Angola |
Estrela Clube Primeiro de Maio |
| Portugal |
Associação Naval 1º de Maio |
| Political change |
|
Brazil |
Clube 15 de Novembro, Esporte Clube XV de Novembro (Piracicaba), Esporte Clube XV de Novembro (Jaú) (November 15, 1889, the date of the coup that overthrew Emperor Pedro II and established Brazil as a republic) |
| China |
Bayi Football Team, Nanchang Bayi (1 August 1927) |
| North Korea |
4.25 Sports Group (April 25, 1932) |
 Yemen |
May 22 San'a' (May 22, 1990, the date when the former North Yemen and South Yemen merged into the modern Republic of Yemen) |
| Year of establishment |
Club names containing a reference to the year in which the club was established
(clubs are listed in chronological order by country) |
 Belgium |
Eendracht Aalst 2002 |
 Finland |
Pallokerho-35, Tornion Pallo -47, Tampereen Peli-Pojat-70, Klubi-04 |
| Germany |
1860 München, Hannover 96, SV Darmstadt 98, 1899 Hoffenheim, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Schalke 04, Mainz 05, Paderborn 07, SG Wattenscheid 09, 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 71 |
| Netherlands |
Be Quick 1887, UDI '19, ADO '20, Quick '20, HSC '21, Be Quick '28, CSV '28, Achilles '29, Zwaluwen '30, Excelsior '31, PKC '83 |
| Scotland |
Gretna F.C. 2008 |
| Other |
For unidentified and unclassified days and dates in club names |
Angola |
Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto (August 1) |
| Bolivia |
Club 27 de Mayo (May 27), 31 de Octubre (October 31) |
 Paraguay |
Club 12 de Octubre (October 12), Club Atlético 3 de Febrero (February 3), Club 2 de Mayo (May 2) |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Angels |
After their original home ground, the Angel Ground, itself named after a nearby hotel. |
England |
Tonbridge Angels |
| Argyle |
Named after The Argyle Tavern or Argyle Terrace, both in Plymouth. |
England |
Plymouth Argyle |
| Great Chicago Fire |
Officially founded on October 8, 1997, the 126th anniversary of this pivotal event in the history of Chicago. |
USA |
Chicago Fire |
| Ittihad |
Arabic for "the union", meaning the merger of clubs or clubs founders |
 Israel |
Ittihad Bnei Sakhnin |
 Libya |
Al-Ittihad (Tripoli) |
 Saudi Arabia |
Al-Ittihad (Jeddah) |
| Dons |
Named after the nickname of MK Dons' predecessors, Wimbledon F.C. |
England |
Milton Keynes Dons |
| Heart of Midlothian |
Named for a dance hall, itself named for a novel by Walter Scott and a reference to the city of Edinburgh, located in the centre of Midlothian county |
Scotland |
Heart of Midlothian |
| North |
Clubs that originated 'north' of a specific place |
Australia |
North Queensland |
| England |
Farnborough North End, Glossop North End, Preston North End |
| East |
Orient = from the East, Leyton is in East London |
England |
Leyton Orient |
| Park Avenue |
The club originally played at the Park Avenue ground |
England |
Bradford Park Avenue |
| Forest |
The club originally played at the Forest Recreation Ground |
England |
Nottingham Forest |
| Queen of the South |
A nickname for the club's home of Dumfries |
Scotland |
Queen of the South |
| Rangers (Glasgow) |
The club founder saw the name Rangers in a Rugby annual |
Scotland |
Rangers |
| Red Stars |
Specifically refers to the four red stars in the center band of the municipal flag of the club's home city of Chicago. |
United States |
Chicago Red Stars |
| Sounders |
From Puget Sound, on whose eastern shore the city of Seattle lies. |
United States |
Seattle Sounders (NASL), Seattle Sounders (USL), Seattle Sounders FC |
| Homeless |
Rovers, Wanderers. Excursionistas translates roughly as "The Voyagers". Originally a team without a home ground |
various |
Blackburn Rovers, Bristol Rovers, Tranmere Rovers, Albion Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Bray Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sliema Wanderers, Montevideo Wanderers, Santiago Wanderers, Excursionistas, Wanderers, Wycombe Wanderers |
| Republic of Ireland |
Sligo Rovers |
| Scotland |
Raith Rovers |
| Mohun Bagan |
The club was named after the palace, Mohun Bagan Villa, that was the site of the club's first ground |
India |
Mohun Bagan |
| Trinity |
The club was formed in 1873 by the vicar of the Holy Trinity Church |
England |
Gainsborough Trinity |
| Paraguay |
Sportivo Trinidense |
| United |
Often (but not always) refers to the result of a merger. "Pers-" is short for "Persatuan," Indonesian for "United". |
Indonesia |
Persib, Persebaya, Persiwa Wamena, Persela Lamongan, PSM Makassar, Persijap Jepara, Persiba Balikpapan, Persitara Jakarta, PSMS Medan, PSPS Pekanbaru, Persita Tangerang, Persik Kediri, Persipura Jayapura |
| Australia |
Gold Coast United, Adelaide United, Newcastle United Jets |
| various |
Carlstad United BK, FC Väsby United, Manchester United, Newcastle United, West Ham United, D.C. United, Colchester United, Rotherham United, Sheffield United, Carlisle United, Leeds United, Limavady United, Ayr United, Dundee United, KVSK United, Tampere United, Yerevan United, Unión de Santa Fe, União de Leiria, União São João, JEF United Ichihara Chiba, Incheon United, Seoul United |
| Stanley |
Named after the Stanley Arms on Stanley Road, Accrington. |
England |
Accrington Stanley |
| Vélez Sársfield |
Founded in the Floresta district of Buenos Aires near the Vélez Sársfeld railway station, itself named after Argentine statesman Dalmacio Vélez Sársfield. (The station is now known as Floresta, and the club is now located in another Buenos Aires district, Liniers.) |
Argentina |
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield |
| Villa |
Named after Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Aston, Birmingham. |
England |
Aston Villa |
| Moors |
Taken from the nickname for Moor Green following a merger. |
England |
Solihull Moors |
| Eagles |
When the club split into an amateur and a professional branch in 1971, the latter added Eagles to its name after their stadium, De Adelaarshorst. |
Netherlands |
Go Ahead Eagles |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Ahly |
Arabic for "national" |
 Egypt |
El-Ahly |
 Qatar |
Al-Ahli (Doha) |
 Bahrain |
Al-Ahli (Manama) |
| Libya |
Al-Ahly (Tripoli), Al-Ahly (Benghazi) |
| Saudi Arabia |
Al-Ahli (Jeddah) |
 UAE |
Al-Ahli Football Club - Dubai |
 Sudan |
Al-Ahli (Wad Medani) |
| Yemen |
Al-Ahli (San'a') |
| Albion |
Archaic name for Great Britain |
England |
Brighton & Hove Albion, Burton Albion, Witton Albion. |
| Scotland |
Stirling Albion |
 Uruguay |
Albion F.C |
| Altay |
|
Turkey |
Altay S.K. |
| Americans |
Usually, but not always, clubs made up of native citizens of the United States of America. |
United States |
New York Americans, Baltimore Americans, Philadelphia Americans, New York Yankees (soccer) |
| Arabi |
Al-Arabi is the Arabic for "Arab". |
 Kuwait |
Al Arabi Kuwait |
| Qatar |
Al-Arabi Sports Club |
 Panama |
CD Árabe Unido |
| Armenia |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Armenian diaspora. |
Argentina |
Club Deportivo Armenio |
| Assyria |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Assyrian diaspora. |
 Sweden |
Assyriska Föreningen |
| Bayern |
German name for Bavaria |
Germany |
FC Bayern Munich, SpVgg Bayern Hof |
| Beitar |
Refers to Betar, for "Brit Yosef Trumpeldor", a Zionist youth movement founded in 1923. |
Israel |
Beitar Jerusalem, Beitar Shimshon Tel Aviv |
| Bohemians |
After Bohemianism |
Republic of Ireland |
Bohemians |
| Bohemians |
After Bohemia |
 Czech Republic |
Bohemians 1905 |
| Borussia |
Latin name for Prussia. |
Germany |
Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Borussia Fulda, Borussia Neunkirchen |
| Celtic |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Irish diaspora. |
England |
Farsley Celtic, Stalybridge Celtic |
| Ireland |
Cork Celtic, Wayside Celtic |
 Northern Ireland |
Donegal Celtic, Lurgan Celtic |
| Scotland |
Celtic |
| United States |
Kearny Celtic, Brooklyn Celtic |
| Chief |
Reflecting tribal origins of home town |
South Africa |
Kaizer Chiefs |
| United States |
Atlanta Chiefs |
| Croatia |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Croatian diaspora. |
Australia |
Adelaide Croatia Soccer Club, SC Croatia, Sydney Croatia, North Perth Croatia, Newcastle Croatia, Whyalla Croatia, Fremantle Croatia, Gwelup Croatia |
 Canada |
Toronto Croatia |
| Germany |
Croatia Berlin |
| Español |
Refers to the Spanish people. |
Argentina |
Club Social, Deportivo y Cultural Español |
| Chile |
Unión Española |
| Spain |
RCD Espanyol |
| United States |
Brooklyn Hispano |
| Uruguay |
Central Español |
| Germania, Alemannia |
Alternative names of Germany. |
Germany |
BFC Germania, Alemannia Aachen |
| Guaraní |
Name of a group of culturally related indigenous peoples of South America. |
Brazil |
Guarani Futebol Clube, Guarany Futebol Clube |
| Paraguay |
Club Guaraní |
| Hibernia |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Irish diaspora. |
 Malta |
Hibernians |
| Scotland |
Hibernian |
| Hungaria |
Alternative name of Hungary. |
New Zealand |
Hungaria |
| Indians |
|
Mexico |
Indios de Ciudad Juarez |
| Inter- |
International. |
various |
FK Inter Bratislava, UWIC Inter Cardiff F.C., F.C. Internazionale Milano, FC Inter Baku, Inter Bom-Bom, Inter Club d'Escaldes, Inter Monaro, Sport Club Internacional, Inter-Brooklyn Italians, Internazionale Torino, FC Inter Turku |
| Italy |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Italian diaspora. |
Argentina |
Sportivo Italiano |
| Australia |
Marconi Stallions |
| Canada |
Italia Shooters |
| Chile |
Audax Club Sportivo Italiano |
| United States |
Inter-Brooklyn Italians |
| Venezuela |
Deportivo Italia |
| Marist |
Founded by members of a Marist Brothers school |
New Zealand |
Wellington Marist |
| Mohammedan |
Mohammedan is a term used as both a noun and an adjective meaning belonging or relating to either the religion of Islam or to that of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad |
 Bangladesh |
Mohammedan SC, Chittagong Mohammedan SC |
| India |
Mohammedan SC |
| Monarchy |
Real is Spanish for Royal. Reial is the Catalan equivalent, and Koninklijke is a Dutch equivalent.
Spanish clubs with the "Real" or "Reial" name, as well as the Honduras club Real España, enjoy the patronage of the Spanish monarchy.
In Belgium, once a club has been in operation for 50 years, it is eligible to add "Royal" to its name, in any of the country's three official languages (Dutch, French, German) or in English.
|
Belgium |
Cercle Brugge Koninklijke Sportvereniging, Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging, Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, Royal Antwerp FC |
| Bolivia |
Real Potosí |
| Colombia |
Real Cartagena, Real Santander |
| Honduras |
Real España |
| Netherlands |
Koninklijke HFC, Koninklijke HC&VV, Koninklijke UD |
| Spain |
Real Madrid, Real Mallorca, Real Zaragoza, Real Sporting de Gijón, Reial CD Espanyol de Barcelona |
| USA |
Real Salt Lake |
| National |
|
Brazil |
Nacional FC |
| Colombia |
Atlético Nacional |
| Ecuador |
El Nacional |
| Paraguay |
Club Nacional |
| Portugal |
C.D. Nacional |
| Romania |
Naţional Bucureşti |
| Uruguay |
Nacional de Montevideo |
| Palestine |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Palestinian diaspora. |
Chile |
Club Deportivo Palestino |
| Honduras |
Palestino FC |
| Pogoń |
Polish for "knight-in-pursuit", depicted on the Pogoń Litewska, the Polish Coat of Arms. |
Poland |
Pogoń Lwów, Pogoń Szczecin |
| Polonia, Lechia |
Alternative names of Poland. |
Poland |
Polonia Warszawa, Lechia Gdańsk |
| Portugal |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Portuguese diaspora. |
 Andorra |
Lusitanos |
| Brazil |
Associação Portuguesa de Desportos, Associação Atlética Portuguesa (RJ), Associação Portuguesa Londrinense, Associação Atlética Portuguesa Santista |
| Canada |
Toronto Supra Portuguese |
| United States |
Ludlow Lusitano, Newark Portuguese |
| Venezuela |
Portuguesa Fútbol Club |
| Revolution |
Named after the American Revolution, which initially broke out in the New England colonies. |
USA |
New England Revolution |
| Saint |
Santos is Portuguese and Spanish for saints. |
Brazil |
Santos FC |
| Mexico |
Santos Laguna |
| Angola |
Santos de Angola |
| Costa Rica |
Santos de Guápiles |
| Scotland |
St Johnstone, St Mirren |
| Schwaben |
German name for Swabia. |
Germany |
TSV Schwaben Augsburg |
| Scotland |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Scottish diaspora. |
Brazil |
Scottish Wanderers |
| Serbia |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Serbian diaspora. |
Australia |
Fitzroy City Serbia, Wollongong Srbija, Berwick Kings Krajina, Noble Park United, Westgate Sindjelic, |
| Canada |
Serbian White Eagles |
| Slavia |
Refers to the Slavic peoples |
 Belarus |
Slavia Mozyr |
 Bosnia-Herzegovina |
Slavija Istočno Sarajevo |
| Bulgaria |
Slavia Sofia |
| Czech Republic |
Slavia Praha |
| Poland |
Sława Lwów |
| Serbia |
Slavija Kragujevac, Slavija Novi Sad |
| Syriac |
Refers to Syriacs. |
Sweden |
Syrianska FC, Arameiska/Syrianska KIF, Syrianska IF Kerburan, Valsta Syrianska IK |
| Turkey |
Clubs founded by and for members of the Turkish diaspora. |
Germany |
Türkiyemspor Berlin |
| Netherlands |
FC Türkiyemspor |
| Ukranians |
|
United States |
Philadelphia Ukrainian-Nationals |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Borough |
Neighborhood or district |
England |
Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Stevenage Borough, Eastbourne Borough, Radcliffe Borough, Hampton & Richmond Borough |
| Netherlands |
Feyenoord |
| Norway |
Rosenborg BK |
| South Africa |
Orlando Pirates |
| Cerro |
Meaning hill in Spanish |
Paraguay |
Cerro Corá, Cerro Porteño |
| Uruguay |
C.A. Cerro |
| City |
|
Australia |
Adelaide City, Brisbane City SC |
| Canada |
London City |
| Ecuador |
Cuenca (ECU) |
| England |
Norwich City, Leicester City, Manchester City, Birmingham City, Gloucester City, Lincoln City, Bristol City, Stoke City, Chester City, Coventry City, Bradford City, Hull City, Exeter City, Bath City, Chelmsford City, St Albans City, Worcester City, Salisbury City, York City, |
| Ireland |
Cork City, Derry City |
| Italy |
Città di Palermo |
| Northern Ireland |
Armagh City |
| Scotland |
Brechin City, Elgin City, Edinburgh City |
| Spain |
Ciudad de Murcia |
| Wales |
Cardiff City, Swansea City |
| County |
|
England |
Derby County, Notts County, Stockport County, Newport County |
| Scotland |
Ross County,Nairn County |
| Forest |
Indicates a close proximity to a forest |
England |
Forest F.C., Forest Green Rovers, Forest Town, Waltham Forest, Nott'm Forest |
| Hamlet |
|
England |
Dulwich Hamlet |
| Ocean |
Indicates a close proximity to an ocean |
 Nigeria |
Ocean Boys F.C. |
| River |
Spanish: Rio |
Brazil |
River Atlético Clube |
| Argentina |
River Plate |
| Honduras |
Motagua |
| Poland |
Wisła Kraków, Wisła Płock, Odra Wodzisław, Odra Opole, Warta Poznań |
| Portugal |
Rio Ave FC |
| Sound |
A large ocean inlet, or a narrow ocean channel between two bodies of land |
USA |
Seattle Sounders FC |
| Town |
|
Ecuador |
Macara |
| England |
Yeovil Town, Huddersfield Town, Halifax Town, Grimsby Town, Ipswich Town, Luton Town, Swindon Town, Northampton Town, Macclesfield Town, Cheltenham Town, Bognor Regis Town, Braintree Town, Basingstoke Town, Crawley Town, Kettering Town, Mansfield Town, Shrewsbury Town, Aldershot Town, Alfreton Town, Fleetwood Town, Hucknall Town, Harrogate Town, Dorchester Town |
| Wales |
Aberystwyth Town, Caernarfon Town |
| Vale |
Named for teams located in a town in a vale |
England |
Port Vale, Aylesbury Vale, Pewsey Vale, Raynes Park Vale |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Ajax |
Club names containing a reference to Ajax the Great or Ajax the Lesser. The South African and American clubs are so named due to their affiliation with AFC Ajax of the Netherlands. |
Estonia |
FC Ajax Lasnamäe |
| Malta |
Rabat Ajax F.C. |
| Morocco |
Ajax Kenitra |
| Netherlands |
AFC Ajax, Ajax Sportman Combinatie |
| South Africa |
Ajax Cape Town |
| United States |
Ajax Orlando Prospects |
| Alexandra |
Club names containing a reference to Princess Alexandra. |
England |
Crewe Alexandra |
| Aris |
After the Greek God of War. |
Greece |
Aris Thessaloniki |
 Cyprus |
Aris Limassol |
 Luxembourg |
Aris Bonnevoie |
| Armando Picchi |
|
Italy |
Armando Picchi Calcio |
| Arminia |
From Arminius a chieftain who defeated a Roman Army in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. |
Germany |
Arminia Bielefeld, Arminia Hannover |
| Arturo Fernández Vial |
|
Chile |
Club Deportivo Ferroviario Almirante Arturo Fernández Vial| |
| Atlas |
Club names containing a reference to Atlas. |
Mexico |
F.C. Atlas A.C. |
| Argentina |
Club Atlético Atlas |
| Guillermo Brown |
|
Argentina |
Club Almirante Brown, Club Atlético Almirante Brown, Club Atlético Brown, Club Social y Atlético Guillermo Brown |
| Colocolo |
|
Brazil |
Colo-Colo de Futebol e Regatas |
| Chile |
Colo-Colo |
| Dalmacio Vélez Sársfield |
Club named after the Buenos Aires railway station closest to its original site, said station having been named for the Argentine statesman. |
Argentina |
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield |
| Hercules/Heracles |
After the Greek demi-god. |
Greece |
Iraklis F.C. |
| Netherlands |
Heracles Almelo |
| Spain |
Hércules CF |
| Hermann Aichinger |
|
Brazil |
Clube Atlético Hermann Aichinger |
| Hertha |
Supposedly a Germanic deity. |
Germany |
Hertha BSC Berlin, Hertha Zehlendorf |
| Hotspur |
Named after Henry Percy, aka Henry Hotspur |
England |
Tottenham Hotspur |
| Jahn |
Named after Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. |
Germany |
SSV Jahn Regensburg |
| Joan of Arc |
|
 Réunion |
SS Jeanne d'Arc |
| Senegal |
ASC Jeanne d'Arc |
| Jorge Wilstermann |
|
Bolivia |
Club Jorge Wilstermann |
| José Joaquín Olmedo |
|
Ecuador |
Centro Deportivo Olmedo |
| José Gálvez |
|
Peru |
Club José Gálvez |
| Luis Ángel Firpo |
|
El Salvador |
C.D. Luis Angel Firpo |
| Martín Ledesma |
|
Paraguay |
Club Martín Ledesma |
| Newell |
Named by ex-pupils of the English High School of Rosario in homage to its director and football coach, English immigrant Isaac Newell |
Argentina |
Newell's Old Boys |
| Odysseus |
Named after legendary Greek king and Homer's epic poem |
 Armenia |
Ulisses FC |
| Renato Curi |
|
Italy |
Renato Curi Angolana |
| Rio Branco |
Named after the Baron of Rio Branco. |
Brazil |
Rio Branco Atlético Clube, Rio Branco Esporte Clube, Clube Esportivo Rio Branco |
| Rob Roy |
|
Scotland |
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C. |
| Robin Hood |
|
 Suriname |
SV Robinhood |
| Rutherford B. Hayes |
|
Paraguay |
Club Presidente Hayes |
| Shimshon Douri |
The club was formed in memory of Shimshon Douri, a former Maccabi Tel Aviv player who died in the War of Independence. |
Israel |
Shimshon Tel Aviv F.C. |
| Silvio Pettirossi |
|
Paraguay |
Club Silvio Pettirossi |
| Simón Bolívar |
|
Bolivia |
Club Bolívar |
| Vasco da Gama |
Named after Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.[3] |
Brazil |
Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, Associação Desportiva Vasco da Gama |
| India |
Vasco SC |
| Victoria |
Named after Queen Victoria. |
England |
Northwich Victoria, Biddulph Victoria |
| Willem II |
|
Netherlands |
Willem II |
| Zico |
|
Brazil |
Centro de Futebol Zico Sociedade Esportiva |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| Amateur |
Referring to the amateur origins of the club. |
Austria |
Amateure SV |
| England |
Fulwood Amateurs F.C. |
| Athletics |
Club names containing a reference to athletes or athletics. In the United States, the term "athletics" refers to sport in general, and not specifically to track and field athletics. |
Angola |
Petro Atlético |
| Brazil |
Atlético Mineiro, Atlético Paranaense, Atlético Goianiense, Atlético Acreano |
| Colombia |
Atlético Nacional, Atlético Bucaramanga, Atlético Huila |
| England |
Charlton Athletic, Grays Athletic, Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic |
| Paraguay |
Club Atlético 3 de Febrero, Club Atlético Colegiales |
| Scotland |
Dunfermline Athletic, Forfar Athletic, Alloa Athletic, Annan Athletic, Haddington Athletic |
| Spain |
Athletic Bilbao, Atlético Madrid |
| United States |
Saint Louis Athletica |
| Casuals |
Clubs originating in amateur status teams. |
England |
Corinthian-Casuals F.C., Walton Casuals F.C. |
| Cricket |
Club names containing a term for cricket. Usually, the club also had a cricket team in the past. |
Brazil |
Rio Cricket |
| Italy |
Genoa C.F.C. |
| Football |
Club names containing a term for football. Examples: futebol (Portuguese) balompié (Spanish), calcio (Italian). |
Brazil |
Guaratinguetá Futebol, RS Futebol, Paulínia Futebol Clube |
| Denmark |
Greve Fodbold |
| Italy |
Ascoli Calcio 1898, Cagliari Calcio, Udinese Calcio |
| Spain |
Albacete Balompié, Real Betis Balompié, Écija Balompié |
| Gymnastics |
These clubs usually have a historical affiliation with gymnastics. |
France |
Olympique Gymnaste Club de Nice-Côte d'Azur |
| Germany |
Turn- und Sportgemeinschaft 1899 Hoffenheim, Turn und Spielvereinigung Koblenz |
| Norway |
Larvik Turn & I.F. |
| Spain |
Gimnàstic de Tarragona, RS Gimnástica de Torrelavega |
| Turkey |
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü |
| Olympic Games |
Club names containing a reference to either the Olympic Games or the ancient city of Olympia, Greece. |
Azerbaijan |
FK Olimpik Baku |
| Belgium |
Olympia Bruxelles |
| Cyprus |
Olympiakos Nicosia |
| England |
Blackburn Olympic, Rushall Olympic |
| France |
Nîmes Olympique, Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique Marseille |
| Greece |
Olympiacos F.C., ASK Olympiakos Volos F.C., Ethnikos Olympiakos Volos F.C. |
| Honduras |
CD Olimpia |
 Mali |
Cercle Olympique de Bamako |
| Niger |
Olympic FC de Niamey |
| Northern Ireland |
Derry Olympic |
| Paraguay |
Olimpia Asunción |
| Romania |
Olimpia Satu Mare |
 Slovenia |
Olimpija Ljubljana |
| Rambling |
Hillwalking |
Republic of Ireland |
Cobh Ramblers F.C. |
| England |
Burnham Ramblers F.C. |
| Racing |
|
Uruguay |
Racing Montevideo |
| Spain |
Racing Santander |
| France |
Racing Strasbourg |
| Argentina |
Racing Avellaneda |
| Rowing |
These clubs usually have a historical affiliation with rowing. |
Brazil |
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, Clube de Regatas Brasil, Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, Colo-Colo de Futebol e Regatas, Palmas Futebol e Regatas, Clube do Remo, São Cristóvão de Futebol e Regatas |
| Sport |
Club names containing the word "sport." Examples: deportivo (Spanish), desportivo and esportivo (Portuguese), sport (Dutch), spor (Turkish). |
Brazil |
Desportiva Capixaba, Clube Esportivo de Bento Gonçalves, Sport Club do Recife |
 Cape Verde |
Desportivo Ribeira Brava, Desportivo de Santa Cruz |
| Chile |
Club Deportivo Huachipato, Club Deportivo O'Higgins, Deportivo Temuco |
| Colombia |
Deportivo Cali, Deportivo Pereira, Deportes Quindío, Deportes Tolima, Deportivo Pasto, Depor FC |
| England |
Woodley Sports, Mickleover Sports, Hullbridge Sports, Cowes Sports |
| Republic of Ireland |
Sporting Fingal |
| Netherlands |
Helmond Sport, Sportclub Heerenveen |
| Peru |
Deportivo Wanka, Sport Boys |
| Portugal |
Desportivo das Aves |
| Spain |
Deportivo de La Coruña, other clubs with RCD (Real Club Deportivo) |
| Turkey |
Bursaspor, Trabzonspor... |
| Stadium |
Club names containing the word "stadium." Examples: stade (French), stadion (Dutch and German). |
Belgium |
Stade Leuven |
 Côte d'Ivoire |
Stade d'Abidjan |
| France |
Stade Rennes, Stade Reims, Stade Brest 29, Stade Saint-Brieuc, Stade Bordelais, Stade Français Paris, Stade Laval, Stade Plabennecois |
 Gabon |
Stade d'Akébé, AS Stade Mandji |
| Mali |
Stade Malien |
| Senegal |
Stade Mbour |
| Topic |
Meaning |
Country |
Clubs |
| CSKA |
CSKA means Central Army Sports Club in Slavic languages, indicates that the team was originally part of the army. |
Armenia |
CSKA Yerevan |
| Bulgaria |
CSKA Sofia |
| Moldova |
CSCA-Rapid Chişinău |
| Romania |
CSCA Bucureşti |
| Russia |
PFC CSKA Moscow |
 Tajikistan |
CSKA Dushanbe |
| Ukraine |
CSKA Kyiv |
| Dynamo |
Eastern European teams, indicates that the team was originally part of the Soviet Dynamo sport society or an equivalent such as Sportvereinigung Dynamo. |
 Albania |
KS Dinamo Tirana |
| Belarus |
FC Dinamo Minsk, FC Dinamo Brest |
| Croatia |
Dinamo Zagreb |
| Estonia |
Dünamo Tallinn |
 Georgia |
FC Dinamo Batumi, FC Dinamo Sokhumi, FC Dinamo Tbilisi |
| Germany |
Berliner FC Dynamo, SG Dynamo Dresden |
| Latvia |
FK Dinamo-Rīnuži/LASD |
| Moldova |
FC Dinamo Bender |
| Romania |
FC Dinamo Bucureşti |
| Russia |
Dynamo Moscow, Dynamo Bryansk, Dynamo Makhachkala, Dynamo Stavropol |
| Ukraine |
Dynamo Kyiv, FC Dinamo Luhansk |
| Hapoel |
Hebrew for The Worker, an Israeli sport association, with links to trade unionism |
Israel |
(see Hapoel) |
| IFK |
IFK, Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna, Swedish for Sporting Society Comrades. All Swedish clubs named IFK are members of IFK's central organisation, while clubs named IFK in Finland are not. |
Sweden |
IFK Eskilstuna, IFK Göteborg, IFK Malmö, IFK Motala, IFK Norrköping, IFK Stockholm, IFK Uppsala and others. |
| Lokomotiv |
For Eastern European teams, indicates that the team was originally part of the |
Ghana
Bermuda
Jamaica
