Carmelo Anthony, Tim Tebow and the 25 Coolest Sports Names
Carmelo Anthony and Tim Tebow have both become household names.
Could it be because of their names?
Throughout the world of sports, some of the most successful athletes have one thing in common:
Really cool names.
Just take a look at the starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Names like Philip Rivers, Matt Cassel and Tom Brady all sound like football names, don't they?
So does a person's name have anything to do with success?
It might sound silly, but think about it.
Let's take a look at the 25 coolest names in sports, and you'll see what I mean.
25. CC Sabathia
1 of 25
Full Name: Carsten Charles Sabathia
CC Sabathia’s name has that alliteration that just rolls of your tongue, but make sure you spell it correctly!
He has made it known that he prefers “CC” as opposed to “C.C.”
24. Hines Ward
2 of 25
Full Name: Hines E. Ward, Jr.
Hines Ward has a very diverse heritage.
He was born in South Korea to a Korean mother and an African American father, and he has become an advocate for the acceptance of biracial youths in the country.
Plus, his name is Hines Ward, and he plays at Heinz Field. That’s just cool.
23. Chad Ochocinco
3 of 25
Birth Name: Chad Javon Johnson
Chad’s name change was seen as a sort of publicity stunt, but it still sounds pretty good.
Chad originally told the media that he preferred to be called Chad “Ocho Cinco” in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. He even wore the name “Ocho Cinco” on the back of his jersey before a game against the Atlanta Falcons in 2006.
Chad was fined by the league for this stunt, and he legally changed his name in 2008.
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22. Armando Galarraga
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Birth Name: Armando Antonio Galarraga
If you can figure out how to pronounce it, Armando Galarraga is a favorite name among baseball announcers.
21. Cameron Newton
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Birth Name: Cameron Jerrell Newton
What is it about quarterbacks? They all have great names.
20. Carmelo Anthony
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Birth Name: Carmelo Kiyan Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is one of the biggest names in the NBA, and with a nickname like “Melo,” he has to be pretty pleased with his parents.
As a side note: “Carmelo” means “garden” in Hebrew.
Could this be a sign? Hmm… Which NBA team plays in a garden?
19. Tony Romo
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Birth Name: Antonio Ramiro Romo
With a name like “Tony Romo,” was there any doubt that this kid would grow up to be an NFL quarterback?
18. Wayne Gretzky
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Birth Name: Wayne Douglas Gretzky
I can’t decide if “Wayne Gretzky” sounds cool or if I just associate this name with greatness.
17. The Minnesota Wild
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The Wild make the list for having one of the coolest names of any sports franchise.
It’s unique, and it lends itself to all kinds of promotions like “Wild About Children,” in which the Wild players host a dinner to raise money for the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
16. Magic Johnson
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Full Name: Earvin Johnson Jr.
“Magic” Johnson earned his nickname when a sportswriter watched the legend play in high school and described his game as “magic.”
The nickname stuck, and there are many people who have no idea who this Earvin Johnson character is.
15. Joey Votto
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Full Name: Joseph Daniel Votto
Just say “Joey Votto” out loud. It just sounds like a baseball name
14. Shaquille O'Neal
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Birth Name: Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal
Shaquille O’Neal has become one of the most well-known basketball players of all time.
Even people who don’t follow sports have heard of “Shaq.”
Could it be the name?
13. Carson Palmer
13 of 25
Birth Name: Carson Hilton Palmer
Carson Palmer is another NFL quarterback with a name that just sounds like a football name.
Other great USC names?
Mark Sanchez, Matt Leinart and Troy Polamalu come to mind.
12. The Boston Celtics
14 of 25
We have already talked about Shaquille O’Neal, but looking down the Celtics’ roster, most players on the team have cool names.
Think about it:
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
The list goes on.
11. Brock Lesnar
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Birth Name: Brock Edward Lesnar
Brock Lesnar just sounds like a dude who would kick your ass.
10. Kristi Yamaguchi
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Birth Name: Kristine Tsuya Yamaguchi
First and last names that rhyme with each other are awesome.
Fun Fact: “Yamaguchi” means “mountain mouth” in Japanese.
9. Santonio Holmes
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Birth Name: Santonio Holmes Jr.
I have a theory that people with unique names develop unique personalities, and Santonio Holmes is definitely unique.
8. Maria Kirilenko
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Birth Name: Maria Yuryevna Kirilenko
Much of the WTA consists of some pretty sweet names.
“Maria Kirilenko” is just fun to say.
Other cool women’s tennis names: Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki.
7. Joe Flacco
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Birth Name: Joseph Vincent Flacco
The next time you watch a Ravens’ game, take a look at Joe Flacco’s jersey.
It just looks sweet.
6. Dan Marino
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Birth Name: Daniel Constantine Marino, Jr.
I am a big fan of mnemonic devices.
So how do I remember which team Dan Marino played for? The dolphin is a marine mammal.
Think about it.
5. Usain Bolt
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Birth Name: Usain St. Leo Bolt
How awesome is that name?
It seems fitting that one of the fastest men in the world has the last name “Bolt.”
4. Picabo Street
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Birth Name: Picabo Street
Contrary to popular belief, Picabo Street did not name herself after the game parents play with babies.
Many think that since Picabo didn’t receive her name until she was a toddler that her parents allowed her to name herself whatever she wanted.
Picabo was actually named after a village in Idaho.
3. Tiger Woods
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Birth Name: Eldrick Tont Woods
Tiger Woods received his nickname from a Vietnamese soldier and friend of his father.
Early on, he embraced the name. Could Tiger’s success be attributed to his name?
There is no denying Woods’ talent, but his name is definitely part of what made him famous.
2. Peyton and Eli Manning
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Birth Names: Peyton Williams Manning and Elisha Nelson Manning
Both of these Manning brothers have great names, and both of them have won Super Bowls.
The “other Manning,” Cooper Manning (the oldest brother), also had a shot at a football career until being diagnosed with spinal stenosis.
1. Tim Tebow
25 of 25
Birth Name: Timothy Richard Tebow
Tim Tebow is one of the most popular football players in the country, and he’s a second-string quarterback!
He may not see much playing time, but his jersey is one of the top-selling jerseys in the NFL.
It makes me wonder: Would Tim Tebow be so well-known if his name was, say, “Jim Tebow”?
There you have it, folks! My top 25 coolest sports names!
But I know that these names are just the tip of the iceberg.
Feel free to comment below with your favorite sports names...
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