NFL: The best and craziest names from one of the world’s most popular sports

There’s nothing like the bright lights and wild storylines of one of the world’s most popular sports, the NFL.

And the league is full of stars with names to match the shiny Lombardi Trophy handed to Super Bowl champions each February.

Here are some of the most unique and strongest names in the league, including players who have adopted their nicknames.

Da’Shawn Hand

The six foot three defensive tackle out of Alabama is aptly named as he brings a sure hand to the Miami Dolphin’s defensive line.

Chop Robinson

His first name may be Demeioun, but this 115kg Miami Dolphins Line Backer is known by his nickname. Nicknamed Pork Chop after weighing more than six kilograms at birth, he adopted Chop as he came into the league and lives up to the moniker in backfield.

Storm Duck

His parents knew their son had something special and gave this Miami Dolphins rookie a name that came with a warning. Few, whether a storm as well as a duck, and the 23-year-old cornerback will have a few as he lines up against some of the league’s best receivers.

DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas

This New England Patriots receiver has a name few will easily forget and a nickname to match.

Michael Jordan

There are very few names in sports as famous as Michael Jordan, and this former Cincinnati Bengal turned New England Patriot has a name geared for great things.

Sauce Gardner

He may have been born Ahmad Gardner, but with a nickname that cooks, it didn’t take long for this New York Jets corner to go with the moniker.

Qwan’tez London Stiggers

If you want a name that oozes strength, look no further than this second-year Cornerback at the New York Jets.

Cedarian DeLeon “CeeDee” Lamb

CeeDee Lamb has become a star receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, and when you shorten a name to produce a nickname just as good, you’re already on the right path.

DeMarvion Overshown

This Dallas Cowboys linebacker sits just under 100kgs in his second year and will be hoping when he looks back at his career in a decade’s time that his last name says it all.

DaRon Bland

Talk about names to live down! This Dallas Cowboys corner came out of Fresno State and is anything but bland.

Greg Van Roten

This New York Giants guard is one t away from one of the elite names! Surely it’s a nickname, though?

Carlos ‘Boogie’ Basham Jr.

Another one that goes by his incredible nickname, Boogie Basham is a linebacker for the New York Giants.

Jalen Hurts

Jalen hurts opposition for the star-studded Philadelphia Eagles as their franchise quarterback.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr

Let me tell you, this Philadelphia Eagles linebacker may be 102kgs, but he doesn’t have a speed under full bore.

Darius Slay Jr.

Darius could only ever have become a superstar cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles, slaying receivers and quarterbacks alike.

Colsen Yankoff

A rookie tight end for Washington Commanders, Colson has an intimmidating name for defenders attempting arm tackles.

Frankie Luvu

We luv this homegrown Washington Commanders linebacker as well!

Frank Crum

This giant rookie offensive tackle weighs in at 142kg and stands at six foot seven for the Denver Broncos, leaving nothing but crumbs for opposition defences to feed on.

John Sherman “JuJu” Smith-Schuster

A Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, JuJu has one of the best nicknames in the league, so is it any wonder the star receiver took it on?

Xavier Worthy

Somehow, after winning their second-straight Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs picked up a rookie receiver that is the envy of the league, and just two games into his career, his last name appears on the money.

Christian Rozeboom

The LA Rams will be confident opposition offences will feel the boom from this fourth-year linebacker out of South Dakota State.

Joe Noteboom

The LA Rams are feeling double the boom with one on offence as well. Joe is a six foot five, 136kg offensive tackle.

Tyshun Raequan ‘Deebo’ Samuel Sr

Deebo Samuel has become a star receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and has been to the Super Bowl twice.

Rock Ya-Sin

We will, we will, Rock you! The San Francisco 49ers added this cornerback to their roster for the 2024/25 season.

Pharaoh Brown

A tight end given a kingly name, what isn’t to love! This also is not our only stop in ancient Egypt.

Pierre Strong Jr

Pierre has the perfect name for a running back, and the Cleveland Browns will be hoping he can live up to it.

Isaiahh Loudermilk

This six foot four Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle has one of the most unique names in the game.

Shannon ‘Beanie’ Bishop Jr

A rookie cornerback full of beans, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have high hopes for Beanie Bishop.

D’Andre Swift

Can a five-foot-nine running back be more appropriately named than the Chicago Bear’s D’Andre Swift?

Marcedes Lewis

A tight end with a name that knows little more than fifth gear, this Green Bay Packer turned Chicago Bear is always a handful.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

With arguably one of the best names in any sport, is it really a surprise he became the Detroit Lions’ franchise receiver? His dad even admitted to naming him after the Egyptian god because he knew he was going to be a star.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr

The roots of the Rakestraw name must be an intriguing read, but Ennis will be hoping to put it up in lights in his rookie season as a cornerback with the Detroit Lions.

Romeo Doubs

There’s no doubt this reciever is a heart-breaker, just hopefully not for the Green Bay Packers.

David Quessenberry

This Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle has a name that rolls off the tongue.

British Brooks

This Houston Texans running back combines two things the English love, themselves and babbling!

Tank Dell

If you are nicknamed ‘Tank’ in the NFL, you are instantly adopting it, just like this Houston Texans wide receiver.

Juice Scruggs

Another Houston Texan to adopt his nickname, Juice puts on the squeeze at centre.

Tim Settle Jr

It’s a name that reminds you of the value of punctuation, at least for his mum; and settling is the only thing this Houston Texans 141kg defensive tackle monster won’t do.

Jeremiah Ledbetter

Jeremiah Ledbetter took his time entering the league as a defensive tackle but he has a name for leadership at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Darnell Savage Jr

It’s savage by name, savage by nature for this Green Bay Packer turned Jacksonville Jaguars safety.

Lloyd Cushenberry III

A 142kg centre for the Tennessee Titans, Crushenberry, may have been more appropriate.

Ray-Ray McCloud III

A sky-high name wasn’t quite enough for this Atlanta Falcons receiver, so he added his sweet nickname on the front.

Chuba Hubbard

A six foot one running back out of Oklahoma State, he is playing in his fourth season at the woeful Carolina Panthers.

Ga’Quincy ‘Kool-Aid’ McKinstry

The New Orleans Saints have been drinking the McKinstry Kool-Aid and for good reason. The cornerback goes by Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Equanimeous St. Brown

The brother of Amon-Ra, Equanimeous, is a receiver on the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

Matthew Hayball

The New Orleans Saints punter was born for his job!

SirVocea Dennis

This Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker’s parents sneakily added an unofficial knighthood to their son’s name!

Tyrek Funderburk

Surely Funderburk is bringing the thunder for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defence as a cornerback?