The Best/Worst Name Changes in Sports History

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet." — Juliet

That may be true, William Shakespeare, but not always so when it comes to athletes.  Chad Ochocinco is raising the question with his possible second name change.

Whether it was to fulfill religious or marketing motives—or something different altogether—name changes have defined careers for better or for worse and are always followed by opinion.

Here are some of the best and worst name changes in sports history.

Honorable Mention

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - DECEMBER 02: Tiger Woods holds up his ball after finishing his round on the 18th green during the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club on December 2, 2010 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Neither Tiger Woods nor Babe Ruth have ever changed their names to legally be what everyone knows them to be.

But Eldrick Woods Jr. and George Herman Ruth Jr. are names that fail to spark recognition. Tiger and Babe can each only be in reference to one person.

Best: Ahmad Rashad

George Rose/Getty Images

DENVER - JANUARY 17: NBC Commentator Ahmad Rashad looks on during the 1987 AFC Championship game with the Cleveland Browns against the Denver Broncos at the Mile High Stadium on January 17, 1988 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won 38-33. (Photo by George

Would Ahmad Rashad have had the post-football broadcasting career that he's enjoyed had he stuck with his given name, Bobby Moore?

Who knows? But it's undeniable that Ahmad Rashad has a much better ring to it. It's the ridiculous type of thing that makes all the difference in show business.

Worst: Karim Abdul-Jabbar

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

13 Sep 1999: Karim Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Dolphins defeated the Broncos 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

No, not that basketball player. Yes, the picture is right. That's just the problem with this name.

The Muslim Abdul-Jabbar was born Sharmon Shah and would eventually be given the name Karim Abdul-Jabbar by his Imam. Then he played football at UCLA (sound familiar?) with the number 33 (sound familar?). He changed his name in between his sophomore and junior seasons as a Bruin.

Eventually, a lawsuit by the famous basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar forced Karim to change his name again to Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar. Really?

Best: Pele

Getty Images/Getty Images

Undated: Pele of New York Cosmos in action during an American Soccer League match in the USA. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

The best part about the Pele nickname, that is now all but his real name, is that it comes from people making fun of Pele mispronouncing the name of his favorite childhood footballer, a goalkeeper named Bile.

Pele went on to tremendous fame and acclaim while the name Edson Arantes do Nascimento withered into obscurity.

Worst: Muhammad Ali

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

PHOENIX - MARCH 09: Muhammad Ali attends the game between Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center March 9, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photogra

Muhammad Ali is a perfectly fine name. It has a good sound to it. But Cassius Clay is an epic name.

Cassius Clay is original, rolls off the lips and should have never been touched. I guess a pass is due considering the religious reasoning behind Ali's name change.

Best: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

4 Dec 1997: Guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the Denver Nuggets tries to block guard Rod Strickland of the Washington Wizards during a game at the MCI Center in Washington D.C. The Wizards won the game 118-96. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport

Honestly, I doubt I even pronounce Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf correctly.

But how many thousands of Chris Jacksons are there? If nothing else, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf sets himself apart with the name change.

He avoided any potential Steve Smith and Mike Williams conundrum experienced by NFL wide receivers.

Worst: Bison Dele

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

24 Mar 1999: Bison Dele #8 of the Detroit Pistons smiles as he runs down the court during a game against the New Jersey Nets at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Piston defeated the Nets 84-71.

Brian Williams played seven seasons in the NBA. Then, he played one more as Bison Dele.

The name change was a tribute to his Native American and African descent. But it came off as another eccentric chapter in the always puzzling Williams' life.

Williams then abruptly retired at the age of 30 in 1999 and disappeared in the South Pacific Ocean in 2002, presumably murdered by his brother.

Best: Hulk Hogan

Paul Kane/Getty Images

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan enters the stage prior to his bout against Rick Flair during the Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Terry Gene Bollea died the day that Hulk Hogan was born. Hulk Hogan is the character that Bollea created and eventually adopted full-time.

It's not legally Hogan's name, but go ahead and try to call him Terry. I dare you.

Worst: He Hate Me

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

3 Feb 2001: Rod 'He Hate Me' Smart #30 of the Las Vegas Outlaws in action against the New York/New Jersey Hitmen at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Outlaws won 19-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw/ALLSPORT

Rod Smart used He Hate Me as his moniker while playing in the only season of the XFL. The question has to be asked, how much of his ensuing NFL career has to be credited to attention paid because of his eccentric name?

The truth is, the NFL doesn't care what your name is if you can play. So giving yourself a fragmented sentence for a name is useless and regrettable.

Best: World B. Free

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

INGLEWOOD - 1987: World B. Free #21 of the Houston Rockets waits during a game in the1987-88 season against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or usi

Lloyd Bernard Free is a fabulous name with which any tinkering should come with great hesitation. But Lloyd turned something great into something classic.

World B. Free uses Free's original surname, his original middle initial and adds a cool first name that creates a great message when all put together.

Worst: Marvelous Marvin Hagler

Nicknames are great as long as they stay nicknames. But boxer Marvin Nathaniel Hagler decided that ring announcers weren't using his "Marvelous" nickname enough.

So he forced them to by legally changing his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

What do his friends and family call him now that he's likely not a marvelous boxer anymore? Should he change his name to Retired Marvin Hagler?

Best: Charles Atlas

Angelo Siciliano wanted to make it very clear that he was a successful body builder. He was molding his body after the Greek Titan, Atlas, so why not mold his name in the same way?

Atlas was able to market a body-building and exercise program he developed using his new name.

Worst: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

1989: Kareem Abdul- Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a free throw during a game. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

Lew Alcindor became a living legend while playing basketball at UCLA. But religious preference led Alcindor to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Abdul-Jabbar ended up with an enviable name. But Ferdinand Lewis "Lew" Alicindor could have provided so many better nicknames.

He could have delivered "Alcindor blocks." "Ferdinand the Bull" would have given the wrong idea for an athlete but you get the point.

Best: Sugar Ray Robinson

Boxing is all about promotion. It's a lot easier to promote Sugar Ray Robinson than it is Walker Smith Jr.

However, that's not how Robinson got his name. Instead, he was a 14-year-old trying to enter a boxing tournament restricted to boxers 16 years and older. He borrowed his friend Ray Robinson's card.

His style was then dubbed "sweet as sugar" by his manager. Eventually, Smith made his legal name Sugar Ray Robinson.

Worst: God Shammgod

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Special to the Washington Times Star: File photo: 23 Mar 1997: Guard God Shammgod of the Providence Friars shoots over forward Michael Dickerson and guard Jason Terry of the Arizona Wildcats at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, in Birmingham, Alab

Actually, God Shammgod never legally changed his name. He was born God Shammgod but used Shammgod Wells while in high school. He couldn't afford a name change when he went to college and was forced to use his given name.

But he played briefly in the NBA and has played professionally in other countries. Wouldn't it be worth it to legally change his name now?

Best: Chad Ochocinco

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals reaches for a pass during the Bengals 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/

People either loved or hated Chad Johnson for his antics and touchdown celebrations. Johnson changing his last name to Ochocinco only furthered people's previous feelings.

Personally, I find Ochocinco hilarious. His antics are funny and have never gotten in the way of his play. He's been a mostly good teammate.

But I'm sorry Chad, changing your name back to Johnson isn't going to take you back to your prime.