Association Football club names are a part of the sport's culture, reflecting century-old traditions. Club names may reflect the geographical, cultural, religious or political affiliations – or simply be the brand name of a club's primary sponsor. Because of the British origin of the modern game and the prevalence of the English language, many clubs, even outside Europe, have their names written in English.

In Europe, most clubs are named after their towns or cities (e.g. "Deportivo de La Coruña", "Liverpool F.C.", "Hamburger SV"). In South America, clubs are more likely to have names that do not bear the city's name.

Common versus official usage

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.

Other clubs are more usually known by nicknames or contractions of their full names, for instance, Vasco da Gama is usually called simply "Vasco", F.C. Internazionale Milano is contracted to Inter or Inter Milan, Sporting Clube de Portugal is often called Sporting or Sporting Lisbon. Manchester United is often shortened to Man Utd, and Lyon or OL used instead of Olympique Lyonnais.

Some clubs are commonly referred to by their initials, such as PSG for Paris Saint-Germain and PNE for Preston North End.

Profession/education

Profession

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Armed forces For sport clubs affiliated with the armed forces of a country. See also sports societies section. Botswana Botswana Defence Force XI
Bulgaria CSKA Sofia
Canada Cavalry FC
China Bayi (defunct)
Ethiopia Defence Force
Hungary Budapest Honvéd FC
Kazakhstan FC CSKA Almaty (defunct since 2018)
Malaysia Armed Forces F.C.
Moldova FC Rapid Ghidighici - formerly CSCA Chișinău
Pakistan Pakistan Army
Philippines Philippine Air Force
Poland Legia Warsaw
Romania CSA Steaua București
Russia CSKA Moscow, SKA-Rostov, SKA-Khabarovsk
Scotland Third Lanark A.C. (defunct)
Singapore Warriors FC (formerly Singapore Armed Forces FC)
Suriname SNL
Tajikistan CSKA Dushanbe (defunct), CSKA Pamir Dushanbe, Khosilot Farkhor
Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
Ukraine FC CSKA Kyiv
United States Charleston Battery, New York Generals (defunct)
Arsenal Factories creating weapons Argentina Arsenal de Sarandí
England Arsenal
Russia FC Arsenal Tula
Suriname SV Arsenal
Ukraine FC Arsenal Kyiv
Beer England Farnham United Breweries (defunct)
Eritrea Asmara Brewery
Peru Sporting Cristal
Ukraine FC Obolon Kyiv
United States New Jersey Brewers (defunct)
Building, Construction, etc Everything connected with building and constructions: clubs named after the process of building constructions, the profession (FC Stroitel), companies (), substances used for construction (FC Cement), or companies producing it (Semen Padang) Indonesia Semen Padang
Russia FC Cementnik (Mikhaylovka), Stroitel Morshansk
Serbia Cement Beočin
USSR Stroitel Pripyat
Copper Cobre is Spanish for copper, after association with copper mining Chile Club de Deportes Cobreloa, Club de Deportes Cobresal
Peru Cobresol F.B.C.
Poland Miedź Legnica
Cars, Mechanical engineering Club names containing the name of an automobile company, a Mechanical engineering or a Machine-Building factory. These clubs were either founded as works teams by a company for its employees (e.g. Kamaz), named "MachineConstructor" ("Mashinostroitel'"), bought by a company (e.g. Ford), or incorporate a corporate sponsor's name (e.g. Skoda Xanthi) England Bristol Aeroplane Company, Mercedes-Benz, Sunderland Nissan (all defunct) Vauxhall Motors
Greece Skoda Xanthi
Ireland Ford (def.)
Japan Honda Motor, Honda Lock
Russia KAMAZ, Lada Togliatti, Torpedo-ZIL
South Korea Ulsan Hyundai, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Busan IPark (prev, k.a. Daewoo Royals)
Ukraine Mashinostroitel' (Borodyanka) (prior to 1992)
Wales Airbus UK
Chemical industry Clubs named after the profession (Khimik) or chemical elements (Amkar, = AMmiak" (ammonia) and "KARbamid (carbamide))/ Belarus Khimik Svetlogorsk
Kazakhstan Khimik (was named so in 1975-1992; also, from 1992 to 1994 the name was "Phosphor")
Kyrgisia Khimik Kara-Balta
Russia FC Amkar Perm, Khimik Dzerzhinsk
Ukraine Khimik Severodonetsk
Companies 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) Austria FC Red Bull Salzburg
Brazil Red Bull Bragantino, Red Bull Brasil
Egypt Arab Contractors
England Electrolux (defunct), Thames Ironworks (later became West Ham United), Negretti and Zambra
France Evian Thonon Gaillard
Germany Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Ghana Red Bull Ghana (defunct)
India Air India
Indonesia RANS Cilegon F.C.
Japan Sony Sendai, Maruyasu Okazaki
South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Seoul E-Land FC
Mexico Cruz Azul
Netherlands PSV
Poland Elana Toruń, KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Stilon Gorzów, Stomil Olsztyn
Republic of Ireland Jacobs (defunct)
Russia Acron, Forte
Suriname Leo Victor
Taiwan Tatung F.C.
United States New York Red Bulls, Atlanta Datagraphic, Bethlehem Steel F.C. (both defunct)
Vietnam Becamex Binh Duong, Viettel FC, Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC
Wales Brymbo Steelworks (defunct)
Electrical Bargh: Persian for Electricity Ecuador Emelec
France Gazélec Ajaccio
Germany 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
Iran Bargh Shiraz F.C.
Philippines Loyola Meralco Sparks F.C.
Russia Luch-Energia, Luki-Energiya
Taiwan Taiwan Power Company F.C.
United States Houston Dynamo
Legal England Blackburn Law (defunct)
Metallurgy Foolad, Zob Ahan, and Mes: Persian for Steel, Steelworks, and Copper. Vasas: "Vas- és Fémmunkások" Hungarian for "Iron and Steel Workers", Stålkameratene Norwegian for "Steel Comrades". Canada Forge FC, Hamilton Steelers (defunct)
England Stocksbridge Park Steels, Steel, Peech & Tozer F.C. (defunct)
Georgia Metalurgi Rustavi
Hungary Vasas SC
Iran Foolad F.C.
Latvia FK Liepājas Metalurgs
Moldova Iskra-Stal
Norway IL Stålkameratene, Staal Jørpeland IL
Poland Stal Mielec, Stal Rzeszów, Stal Sanok, Stal Stalowa Wola
Romania Oțelul Galați
Russia Metallurg Lipetsk
South Korea Pohang Steelers
Turkey Kardemir Karabükspor
Ukraine Metalist Kharkiv, Metalurh Donetsk, Metalurh Zaporizhzhia, Stal Alchevsk, Stal Kamianske
Uzbekistan Metallurg Bekabad
Mining GKS: Polish for miner sport clubs
Górnik: Polish for miner
Zagłębie: Polish for coalfield
Minero: Spanish for miner
Colliery: Coal mine
Shakhtar: Ukrainian for miner
Than: Vietnamese for coal mine
Belarus Shakhtyor Soligorsk
Bosnia and Herzegovina Rudar Ugljevik Rudar Prijedor
England Atherton Collieries, Gedling Miners Welfare, Kimberley Miners Welfare
Kazakhstan Shakhter Karagandy, Gornyak (Hromtau)
Kyrgysia Shakhtyor Kyzyl-Kiya
Montenegro Rudar Pljevlja
Peru Unión Minas
Poland Górnik Konin, Górnik Łęczna, Górnik Polkowice, Górnik Radlin, Górnik Wałbrzych, Górnik Wieliczka, Górnik Zabrze
GKS Bełchatów, GKS Jastrzębie, GKS Piast Gliwice, GKS Katowice, GKS Victoria Jaworzno, GKS Tychy
Zagłębie Sosnowiec, Zagłębie Lubin, Zagłębie Wałbrzych
Russia Gornyak Uchaly
Slovenia Rudar Velenje
Ukraine Shakhtar Donetsk, Shakhtar Horlivka, Shakhtar Konotop (def. 2014), Shakhtar Makiivka (def.), Hirnyk Kryvyi Rih, Hirnyk-Sport, Hirnyk Pavlohrad (def. 1998), Hirnyk (Rovenki)
Venezuela Atlético Club Mineros de Guayana
Vietnam Than Quang Ninh
Wales Llay Miners Welfare
Navy Malavan: Persian for Sailor
Flota: Polish for Fleet
Iran Malavan F.C.
Philippines Philippine Navy
Poland Flota Świnoujście
Thailand Navy FC
United States Erie Commodores, Jacksonville Armada
Natural Gas England Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic (defunct)
France Gazélec Ajaccio
Romania Gaz Metan
Russia FC Orenburg ("Gazovik Orenburg" prior to 2016), Volgar-Gazprom (named so from 95 to 12-13)
Ukraine Hazovyk-KhGV Kharkiv
Petroleum Naft: Persian for Petrol Angola Atlético Petróleos Luanda
Azerbaijan Neftchi Baku
Bolivia Oriente Petrolero
Colombia Alianza Petrolera
Ecuador Esmeraldas Petrolero
Egypt Enppi
Iran Sanat Naft Abadan F.C.
Mexico Salamanca F.C. (prev. k.a. "Petroleros de Salamanca")
Romania FC Petrolul Ploiești
Russia FC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, FC Oktan Perm
Ukraine Naftovyk-Ukrnafta Okhtyrka
Uzbekistan Neftchi Fergana
Police For football clubs affiliated with a police force.

Al-Shorta: Arabic for police.

Argentina Atlético Policial
Botswana Police XI
Cambodia Military Police
Ecuador Escuela Superior de Policía (ESPOLI)
Egypt Ittihad El Shorta
England Metropolitan Police, West Midlands Police (defunct)
India Punjab Police
Indonesia Bhayangkara FC
Iraq Al-Shorta
Malaysia PDRM FA
Nepal Nepal Police Club
Poland Gwardia Koszalin, Gwardia Warszawa
Singapore Home United
South Korea Asan Mugunghwa
Suriname PVV, PSV
Thailand Police Tero
Vietnam Hanoi Police
Railroad workers For Eastern European teams, indicates that the team was originally part of the Soviet Lokomotiv sport society or an equivalent.

Rah Ahan (|Persian), Al Sekka Al Hadid: Arabic for railway, Ferro Carril (Spanish), for Railroad. Ferroviário (Portuguese) for Railroad. The "CFR" in CFR Cluj is Căile Ferate Române, the Romanian state railway system. Vasutas means "railroad worker" in Hungarian, Kigwancha means "locomotive" in Korean, Demir means "iron" in Turkish. KKS (Polish) for railway sport clubs. The IRT denotes the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, which was bought by the City of New York to form part of the New York City Subway.

Argentina Ferro Carril Oeste, Central Córdoba de Rosario, Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero, Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba, Club Atlético Talleres (Córdoba)
Brazil Ferroviário Atlético Clube
Bosnia and Herzegovina FK Željezničar Sarajevo
Bulgaria Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa, Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Lokomotiv Sofia
China Lokomotiv Tianjin
Croatia Lokomotiva Zagreb
Egypt Al Sekka Al Hadid
England Birmingham Corporation Tramways (defunct), Harrogate Railway Athletic, Darlington Railway Athletic
Germany 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig
Georgia Locomotive Tbilisi
Hungary Debreceni Vasutas Sport Klub
Iran Rah Ahan
Kazakhstan Lokomotiv Astana
Republic of Moldova Locomotiva Bălți
Mozambique Ferroviário da Beira
Poland Lech Poznań
Republic of Ireland Midland Athletic (defunct)
Romania CFR Cluj
Russia Lokomotiv Moscow, Lokomotiv Liski, Lokomotiv NN, Lokomotiv Chita (names so from 1970s to 2006)
Scotland Inverurie Loco Works F.C.
Slovakia Lokomotíva Košice
Turkey Adana Demirspor
United States New York IRT (defunct)
Uzbekistan Lokomotiv Tashkent
Shipbuilding England Cammell Laird 1907 F.C.
Scotland Burntisland Shipyard F.C.
South Korea Ulsan Mipo Dockyard
United States Philadelphia Merchant Ship (defunct)
Textile Nassaji: Persian for Textile Industry

Farr Alpaca Company ran two separate clubs: the earlier amateur Farr Alpaca F.C. and the later professional Holyoke Falcos.

Argentina Textil Mandiyú
Croatia NK Varteks
Egypt Ghazl El-Mehalla
India JCT FC (Jagatjit Cotton and Textile Football Club)
Mozambique Grupo Desportivo da Companhia Têxtil do Punguè
Russia Tekstilshchik Ivanovo, Tekstilshchik Kamyshin
United States Farr Alpaca F.C., Holyoke Falcos, Sayles Finishing Plant F.C. (all defunct)
Tractor manufacturing Belarus FC Traktor Minsk
Iran Tractor Sazi F.C.
Russia Rotor Volgograd
Uzbekistan FK Traktor Tashkent
Whaling United States New Bedford Whalers (defunct)

Education

NB: Football clubs associated with colleges and universities in the United States and Canada are not listed here. These clubs are not independent of the school, and are divisions within a much larger school sports program.

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Academic Affiliation with academics. See also Estudiantes, University, Polytechnic. Bulgaria Akademik Sofia
Denmark Akademisk Boldklub
England Academic Club London (defunct)
Republic of Moldova FC Academia Chișinău
Portugal Académica de Coimbra, Académico de Viseu
Russia Sportakademklub Moscow
Scotland Hamilton Academical F.C.
Timor-Leste AS Académica
Polytechnic Affiliation with a polytechnical institution. See also Academical, Estudiantes, University, Technical College. England Polytechnic F.C., Leeds Polytechnic, Thames Polytechnic (both defunct)
Republic of Moldova Politehnica Chișinău
Romania Politehnica Iași, Politehnica Timișoara
Students Affiliation with students. See also Academical, Polytechnic, University. Argentina Estudiantes de La Plata
Peru Estudiantes de Medicina
Mexico Estudiantes Tecos
Romania Sportul Studențesc București
University Affiliation with universities. See also Academical, Estudiantes, Polytechnic.
Argentina Juventud Unida Universitario
Chile Universidad Católica, Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Concepción
Ecuador LDU Quito
Malaysia UiTM, UKM
Mexico Estudiantes Tecos, Universidad Nacional
New Zealand University-Mount Wellington
Peru Universitario de Deportes
Romania CS Universitatea Craiova, Universitatea Cluj
South Africa University of Pretoria /AmaTuks

Days and dates

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Days of the week Clubs named after a specific day of the week England Sheffield Wednesday
South Kirkby Wednesday
Wales Abergavenny Thursdays
Independence Day Clubs named after the day of independence of the country or city Argentina Nueve de Julio, Nueve de Julio de Morteros, Nueve de Julio de Río Tercero (9 July)
International Workers' Day Angola Estrela Clube Primeiro de Maio
Portugal Associação Naval 1º de Maio
DPRK Army establishment day North Korea April 25 SC, February 8 Sports Club
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).
Australia Sydney United 58 FC
Austria First Vienna FC 1894, FC Dornbirn 1913, Salzburger AK 1914, SC-ESV Parndorf 1919
Canada Vancouver 86ers
Croatia HNK Vukovar '91 (defunct)
Czech Republic Bohemians 1905
Denmark B.93, B.1903, B.1908, B.1909, B.1913
England 1874 Northwich, Darlington 1883, Enfield 1893, Cammell Laird 1907, The 61
Finland PK-35
Germany 1860 München, Hannover 96, SV Darmstadt 98, 1899 Hoffenheim, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Schalke 04, BVB 09
Indonesia Persikabo 1973, UMS 1905, Perkesa '78 (defunct), Persebaya 1927 (2010-2017)
Italy A.C. Fanfulla 1874, Ascoli Picchio F.C. 1898, Bologna F.C. 1909, A.C. Reggiana 1919, F.C. Bolzano 1996
Japan Tokyo Verdy 1969
Netherlands Be Quick 1887, Fortuna '54, AZ '67, FC Dordrecht
New Zealand FC Twenty 11
Philippines Mendiola F.C. 1991
Romania CFR 1907 Cluj, FC Farul Constanța 1920, FC Rapid 1923, FC Dinamo 1948 București, F.C. Argeș 1953 (defunct), FC Vaslui 2002 , SC Corvinul 2005 Hunedoara (defunct), ASA 2013 Târgu Mureș (defunct)
Sweden FC Rosengård 1917
Switzerland FC St. Gallen 1879, FC Basel 1893, FC Thun 1898, FC Wil 1900
United States Legacy 76
Wales C.P.D. Y Rhyl 1879
Year of city founding Clubs named after the year of city establishment (clubs are listed in chronological order by country). Canada 1812 FC Barrie (defunct)
United States FC Baltimore 1729, Reno 1868 FC (defunct), Oklahoma City 1889

Specific origins of club

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Great Chicago Fire Officially founded on 8 October 1997, the 126th anniversary of this pivotal event in the history of Chicago. United States Chicago Fire FC
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
Homeless Nomads, Rovers, Wanderers. Excursionistas translates roughly as "The Voyagers". Originally a team without a home ground Argentina Excursionistas
Australia Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Canada HFX Wanderers FC
Chile Santiago Wanderers
England Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Bristol Rovers, Doncaster Rovers, Northern Nomads, Tranmere Rovers, Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wycombe Wanderers, et al.
Guernsey Belgrave Wanderers F.C., Guernsey Rovers A.C.
Jersey Jersey Wanderers, Rozel Rovers
Malta Sliema Wanderers
New Zealand Hamilton Wanderers, Napier City Rovers, Northern Rovers, Wanderers SC (defunct)
Philippines Manila Nomads
Republic of Ireland Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers
Scotland Albion Rovers, Dundee Wanderers, Raith Rovers
United States Brooklyn Wanderers, Boston Rovers, Derby City Rovers, San Diego Nomads (all defunct)
Uruguay Montevideo Wanderers
Wales Connah's Quay Nomads
Ittihad Arabic for "the union", meaning the merger of clubs or clubs founders Egypt Al Ittihad Al Sakandary, Ittihad El Shorta
Jordan Ittihad Al-Ramtha, Ittihad Al-Zarqa
Libya Al-Ittihad (Tripoli)
Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad (Jeddah)
Rangers (Glasgow) The club founder saw the name Rangers in a Rugby annual Scotland Rangers
United Often (but not always) refers to the result of a merger. Eintracht: German for United
União: Portuguese for United.
Argentina Unión de Santa Fe, Unión de Mar del Plata, Unión de Sunchales
Australia Gold Coast United, Adelaide United, Newcastle United Jets, Western United
Brazil União Frederiquense, União Mogi, União São João
England Leeds United, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Southend United, West Ham United, et al.
Finland Tampere United
Germany Eintracht Braunschweig, Eintracht Frankfurt
Indonesia Bali United, Madura United, Gresik United, Karo United
Jamaica Montego Bay United F.C., Portmore United F.C., Rivoli United F.C.
Japan JEF United Ichihara Chiba, Kagoshima United FC, Kochi United SC
Jersey First Tower United
Malaysia Melaka United, Sarawak United
Myanmar Shan United, Ayeyawady United, Hanthawaddy United, Rakhine United, Sagaing United
New Zealand Central United
Northern Ireland Annagh United, Ballinamallard United, Ballymena United
Portugal União Futebol Comércio e Indústria, União de Leiria, União Desportiva Oliveirense, União de Santarém, União de Tomar
Republic of Ireland Galway United, Drogheda United, Waterford United
Scotland Ayr United, Dundee United
South Korea Incheon United, Seoul United
Suriname West United
Thailand Buriram United, Chiangrai United, Muangthong United
Timor-Leste Lalenok United
United States D.C. United, Atlanta United FC, Minnesota United FC
Wales Pontypridd United

Ethnic, social, national or religious background

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Albion Archaic name for Great Britain Australia Albion Rovers
England Brighton & Hove Albion, Burton Albion, West Bromwich Albion
Scotland Albion Rovers, Stirling Albion
United States Albion San Diego
Wales Albion Rovers, Ynyshir Albions
Arabi Al-Arabi is the Arabic for "Arab". Jordan Al-Arabi (Jordan)
Kuwait Al-Arabi SC (Kuwait)
Qatar Al-Arabi SC (Qatar)
Argentina Argentina Argentinos Juniors, Argentino de Junín, Argentino de Rosario, Argentino de Quilmes
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 BK, Assyriska Föreningen
Austria (Österreich) Refers to the Republic of Austria (Österreich). Austria Austria Klagenfurt, FK Austria Wien, SV Austria Salzburg, FC Red Bull Salzburg (before 2005, RB Salzburg was known as Austria Salzburg)
Bavaria, Bayern Refers to the Free State of Bavaria (Bayern) in Germany (Deutschland). Germany FC Bayern Munich
United States Milwaukee Bavarian SC
Beitar Refers to Betar, for "Brit Yosef Trumpeldor", a Zionist youth movement founded in 1923. Israel Beitar Jerusalem, Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam F.C., Beitar Nes Tubruk F.C.
Bengal England Sporting Bengal United
Bohemians After Bohemia Czech Republic FC Bohemians Praha
Philippines Bohemian S.C.
Republic of Ireland Bohemian F.C., Cork Bohemians (defunct)
United States Baltimore Bohemians (defunct)
Borussia, Preußen Latin (Borussia) and German (Preußen) names for Prussia. Germany Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Tennis Borussia Berlin, Preußen Münster
Caledonian England London Caledonians (defunct)
Scotland Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Elgin Caledonian (defunct)
United States Paterson Caledonian (defunct)
Celtic Mostly clubs founded by and for members of the Irish diaspora. The name of Celta de Vigo did not come from an Irish diaspora, but was instead inspired by the ancient Celtic presence in the club's home region of Galicia. Australia Alice Springs Celtic
Canada Celtix du Haut-Richelieu
England Farsley Celtic, Stalybridge Celtic, West Allotment Celtic
Ireland Cork Celtic, Wayside Celtic
Northern Ireland Donegal Celtic, Lurgan Celtic, Belfast Celtic (defunct)
Scotland Celtic, Inverness Celtic (defunct)
South Africa Bloemfontein Celtic
Spain Celta de Vigo
United States Brooklyn Celtic, Kearny Celtic (defunct)
Wales Cwmbran Celtic
Chile Clubs founded by and for members of the Chilean diaspora. Canada Chile Lindo (defunct)
Croatia Clubs founded by and for members of the Croatian diaspora. Australia Adelaide Croatia Soccer Club, SC Croatia, Sydney Croatia, North Perth Croatia
Canada Hamilton Croatia, Toronto Croatia, Welland Lions Croatia (defunct)
United States Croatian Eagles
Español, España Refers to the Spanish people. Argentina Deportivo Español
Chile Unión Española
Mexico Real Club España, Atlético Español (both defunct)
Spain RCD Espanyol
Germania, Alemannia Alternative names of Germany. Germany BFC Germania, Alemannia Aachen, TSV Germania Windeck
Greece Greek: Ελλάς Hellas Australia Pan-Hellenic, South Melbourne Hellas, West Adelaide Hellas
Canada SC Hellas
Italy Hellas Verona
United States Greek American AA, New York Greeks, Tampa Bay Hellenic
Guaraní Name of a group of culturally related indigenous peoples of South America. Argentina Guaraní Antonio Franco
Brazil Guarani Futebol Clube, Guarany Futebol Clube
Paraguay Club Guaraní
Hakoah (Hebrew: הכח) "The Strength" Argentina Club Náutico Hacoaj
Australia Hakoah Sydney City East FC, Melbourne Hakoah (defunct)
Austria Hakoah Vienna
Germany Hakoah Berlin (defunct)
Israel Hakoah Amidar Ramat Gan F.C.
Latvia Hakoah Riga (defunct)
Switzerland FC Hakoah
United States Brooklyn Hakoah, Hakoah All-Stars, New York Hakoah (all defunct)
Harp Clubs founded by and for members of the Irish diaspora. Scotland Dumbarton Harp, Dundee Harp, Maryhill Harp (all defunct)
Hibernia Clubs founded by and for members of the Irish diaspora. Malta Hibernians
Ireland Cork Hibernians (defunct)
Scotland Dundee Hibernian, Duntocher Hibernian, Hibernian, Maryhill Hibernians
United States Philadelphia Hibernian (defunct)
Hollandia Clubs founded by and for members of the Dutch diaspora. Australia Hollandia-Inala Soccer Club
Homenetmen pan-Armenian sports and Scouting organization Lebanon Homenetmen Beirut F.C.
Homenmen pan-Armenian sports and Scouting organization Lebanon Homenmen Beirut
Hungaria, Magyar United States Bethlehem Hungarian, Magyar-American, New York Hungaria (defunct)
International, global, worldwide Australia Perth Kangaroos International FC, Inter Monaro (both defunct)
Brazil Sport Club Internacional
Canada FC Inter-Montréal, Internacional de Toronto (both defunct)
Finland Inter Turku
Ghana International Allies
Italy Inter Milan
Philippines General Trias International FC (defunct)
United States Cleveland Internationals, San Antonio International (both defunct), Inter Miami, Inter Atlanta FC
Wales UWIC Inter Cardiff, Inter Cardiff (defunct)
Irish Clubs founded by and for members of the Irish diaspora. England Milton Keynes Irish
United States Irish-Americans
Italy Clubs founded by and for members of the Italian diaspora. Argentina Sportivo Italiano
Brazil Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube (these two clubs were originally named Società Sportiva Palestra Italia and were obligated to rename in 1942 due to Brazilian WW2-era law).
Canada Italia Shooters, Toronto Italia, Hamilton Italo-Canadian (defunct)
Chile Audax Club Sportivo Italiano
Peru Circolo Sportivo Italiano
United States Inter-Brooklyn Italians
Venezuela Deportivo Italia
Korea Japan F.C. Korea, Osaka Korean FC, Korea FC United Shikoku
Lechia Historical and alternative name for Poland, stemming from the word Lech Poland Lechia Gdańsk, Lechia Zielona Góra, Lech Poznań
Ukraine Lechia Lwów (defunct)
Maghreb Maghreb is the name of the region including the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya Morocco Maghreb Association Sportive de Fez, Moghreb Tétouan
Netherlands Magreb '90
Macedonia Australia Wollongong Macedonia
Mauritius Clubs founded by and for members of the Mauritian diaspora. England Mauritius Sports
Mexico Clubs founded by and for members of the Mexican diaspora. United States Club Deportivo Mexico
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
India Mohammedan SC
Monarchy Real (Spanish pronunciation: [reˈal]) 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.

Australia Essendon Royals
Belgium Cercle Brugge Koninklijke Sportvereniging, Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging, Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, Royal Antwerp FC, Royal Charleroi Sporting Club
Canada Real Mississauga, Vancouver Royals (defunct)
Colombia Real Cartagena, Real Santander
England Staplehurst Monarchs, Mickleover Royals (defunct)
Honduras Real España
Mexico Monarcas Morelia
Netherlands Koninklijke HFC, Koninklijke HC&VV, Koninklijke UD
New Zealand Dunedin City Royals
Peru Real Garcilaso
Portugal Real Sport Clube
Spain Real Madrid, Real Jaén, Real Mallorca, Real Zaragoza, Real Sporting de Gijón, Real Oviedo, Real Racing de Santander, Reial CD Espanyol de Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Real Unión Club de Irún, Real Betis Balompié, Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, Real Club Celta de Vigo, Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña, Real Valladolid, Real Balompédica Linense
United States AHFC Royals, Real Monarchs, Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals (defunct)
National "Ahly" is Arabic for "national" Brazil Nacional FC
Canada Toronto Nationals (defunct)
Colombia Atlético Nacional
Ecuador El Nacional
Egypt Al Ahly
Jordan Al-Ahli
Libya Al-Ahly, Al-Ahly (Benghazi)
Paraguay Club Nacional
Portugal C.D. Nacional
Qatar Al-Ahli (Doha)
Romania Naţional București
Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli (Jeddah)
United Arab Emirates Al-Ahli Football Club – Dubai
United States New York Nationals (defunct)
Uruguay Nacional de Montevideo
Palestine Clubs founded by and for members of the Palestinian diaspora. Chile Club Deportivo Palestino
Honduras Palestino FC
Jordan Al-Wehdat
Polonia Refers to the Polish diaspora, from the Latin name for Poland Czech Republic Polonia Karwina (defunct)
Lithuania Polonia Wilno
Poland Polonia Bydgoszcz, Polonia Bytom, Polonia Nowy Tomyśl, Polonia Poznań, Polonia Przemyśl, Polonia Słubice, Polonia Świdnica, Polonia Warszawa
Portugal Clubs founded by and for members of the Portuguese diaspora. Andorra Lusitanos
Australia Clube Portugues de Sydney
Brazil Associação Portuguesa de Desportos, Associação Atlética Portuguesa, Associação Portuguesa Londrinense, Associação Atlética Portuguesa Santista
Canada Toronto Supra Portuguese
France US Lusitanos Saint-Maur, US Créteil-Lusitanos
Jersey Jersey Portuguese
United States Ludlow Lusitano, Newark Portuguese
Venezuela Portuguesa Fútbol Club
Russian Russia Rusichi Oryol
Saint Santos is Portuguese and Spanish for saints.

Southampton were originally called St. Mary's Young Men's Association F.C. (usually abbreviated to "St. Mary's Y.M.A."), taking on the names St. Mary's F.C. and Southampton St. Mary's before settling on the present name.

Angola Santos de Angola
Australia St Albans Saints
Brazil Santos FC, São Paulo FC
England Southampton F.C.
Guernsey Manor Farm Saints
Mexico Santos Laguna
Republic of Moldova FC Sfîntul Gheorghe
Scotland St Johnstone, St Mirren
Wales The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid, Merthyr Saints
Peru San Agustín, Franciscano San Román, San José, San Martín, San Lorenzo de Almagro de Chiclayo, San Lorenzo
Serbia Clubs founded by and for members of the Serbian diaspora. Australia Fitzroy City Serbia
Canada Serbian White Eagles
Slav Slavia, Slavija and Slovan, all refer to the Slavic peoples Australia Slavia Melbourne (defunct)
Belarus Slavia Mozyr
Bosnia and Herzegovina Slavija Sarajevo
Bulgaria Slavia Sofia
Czech Republic Slavia Praha, Slavia Orlová-Lutyně, Slovan Liberec
Serbia Slavija Kragujevac
Slovakia Slovan Bratislava, Slovan Duslo Šaľa,
Slovenia ND Slovan
Sudovia Ancient Baltic land inhabited by Sudovians Lithuania FK Sūduva Marijampolė
Turkey Clubs founded by and for members of the Turkish diaspora. Germany Türkiyemspor Berlin, Türkgücü München
Netherlands FC Türkiyemspor
Sweden Konyaspor KIF
Ukraine Clubs founded by and for members of the Ukrainian diaspora. Australia Inglewood Kyiv, Essendon Lions
Canada Montreal Ukrainians, Toronto Tridents, Toronto Ukrainians, Ukraine AC
United States New York Ukrainians, Newark Ukrainian Sitch, Philadelphia Ukrainians, Rochester Ukrainians, Ukrainian Lions

Geographical features

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Country Country in name

Team America were so named as they were the United States men's national team in professional form, entering league play for the 1983 season of the North American Soccer League.

Austria Austria Klagenfurt, Austria Wien
Bahrain Bahrain SC
Brazil Grêmio Esportivo Brasil, Clube de Regatas Brasil, Red Bull Brasil
France Racing Club de France
Ghana Red Bull Ghana
New Zealand New Zealand Knights (defunct)
Oman Oman Club
Portugal Sporting Clube de Portugal
Qatar Qatar SC
United States Team America (defunct)
Archipelago Scotland Orkney
Borough/Suburb Neighborhood or district Argentina Lanús, Banfield, Boca Juniors Temperley, Quilmes, Chacarita, Las Palmas, Tigre, Almagro, Villa San Carlos, San Telmo, Deportivo Morón, Deportivo Merlo, Barracas Central, Sportivo Barracas, Defensores de Belgrano, Defensores de Cambaceres, Berazategui, Cañuelas, Dock Sud, Liniers, Luján, San Miguel, Ituzaingó, Claypole, Muñiz, General Paz Juniors
Belgium Anderlecht, Union Saint-Gilloise
Canada ACP Montréal-Nord, York United FC
Denmark Brøndby IF
Egypt Zamalek
England Aston Villa, Brentford, Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Leyton Orient, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Wimbledon
France Paris Saint-Germain
Germany FC Schalke 04, FC St. Pauli
Italy Chievo, Sampdoria
Japan Omiya Ardija, Shimizu S-Pulse, Urawa Red Diamonds (all former independent towns which merged into larger cities)
Netherlands Cambuur, Feyenoord
Norway Rosenborg, Strømsgodset, Vålerenga
Poland Raków Częstochowa, Szombierki Bytom, Widzew Łódź
Portugal S.L. Benfica, Boavista FC
South Africa Orlando Pirates
Spain Rayo Vallecano
Sweden Djurgårdens IF, Hammarby IF, Örgryte IS
United States Manhattan SC, Bronx United, Staten Island Vipers (both defunct)
Wales Pembroke Borough
Capital Clubs that are from cities presently or formerly capitals of either states (such as Albany, New York or Baton Rouge, Louisiana) or countries (such as Ottawa's Capital City F.C.). Cambodia Phnom Penh Crown FC
Canada Capital City F.C.
Indonesia Persija
Italy A.S. Roma, Lazio
Malaysia KL City FC
Myanmar Yangon United
Thailand Bangkok United F.C.
United States Albany Capitals, Baton Rouge Capitals (both defunct)
Vietnam Hanoi FC
Cardinal directions Södra means "southern" in Swedish; öster means "east". Ouest is French for west, "Levante" means "east" in Spanish.
Australia Northern Fury FC, South Melbourne FC, Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Western United FC
Canada North Toronto Nitros
England Preston North End, South West Ham (defunct), Sunderland West End
France Angers Sporting Club de l'Ouest
Guernsey Northerners A.C.
Hong Kong Eastern Sports Club, South China AA
India NorthEast United FC
New Zealand Eastern Suburbs AFC, Southern United
Northern Ireland East Belfast
Scotland Dundee East End, Eastern, Forfar West End
Spain Levante UD
Sweden Jönköpings Södra IF, Östers IF
Wales South Gower, Treharris Athletic Western, West End
Cerro Meaning hill in Spanish Paraguay Cerro Corá, Cerro Porteño
Uruguay C.A. Cerro
Citadel Scotland Inverness Citadel (defunct)
City Città in Italian or ciudad in Spanish.

The City clubs of Manchester, Melbourne and New York are part of the City Football Group.

Australia Adelaide City, Brisbane City, Melbourne City FC
Canada Brampton City United, Capital City F.C., Forest City London, London City, Toronto City (defunct)
China Guangzhou City
England Birmingham City, Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C. (named after the "City of Bradford", and the street "Horton Park Avenue"), Bristol City, Lincoln City, City of Liverpool, Exeter City, Norwich City, Leicester City, Manchester City, Stoke City
Hong Kong Citizen AA
Italy Città di Palermo
Malaysia Petaling Jaya City FC, KL City FC
Mexico Indios de Ciudad Juárez (defunct)
Mongolia Ulaanbaatar City FC
Netherlands Almere City FC
New Zealand Auckland City, Lower Hutt City
Northern Ireland Armagh City, Derry City, Newry City
Philippines United City F.C.
Republic of Ireland Cork City, Dublin City, Kilkenny City (both defunct)
Scotland Brechin City, Elgin City
South Africa Cape Town City
Spain Ciudad de Murcia (defunct)
Sweden Eskilstuna City FK
Taiwan Tainan City F.C.
Thailand Samut Prakan City F.C.
United States City of Angels FC, Detroit City, Louisville City, New York City, Orlando City, St. Louis City
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City FC
Wales Bangor City, Cardiff City, Newport City, St Asaph City, Swansea City
Coast Australia Central Coast Mariners, Gold Coast United FC (defunct), South Coast Wolves
New Zealand Coastal Spirit, Hibiscus Coast, West Coast Rangers
United States Central Coast Roadrunners (defunct), Florida Gulf Coast Dutch Lions, Treasure Coast Tritons
Common Common land or former common land is usually referred to as a common; for instance, Sutton Common. England Clapham Common Club, Croydon Common (both defunct), Sutton Common Rovers
County Canada Simcoe County Rovers
England Derby County, Notts County, Stockport County
Republic of Ireland Kildare County, Sporting Fingal (both defunct)
Scotland East Stirlingshire, Nairn County, Ross County
United States North County United, Orange County Blues, Riverside County Elite (defunct), Sonoma County Sol
Wales Haverfordwest County, Newport County
Forest Indicates a close proximity to a forest England Forest Green Rovers, Nottingham Forest
Gulf The present day HNK Rijeka were named after Kvarner Gulf and kept the original name until 1954. Croatia Kvarner
Heath These clubs are named after heaths directly, or after the districts that take their names. England Hampstead Heathens, Newton Heath, Small Heath Alliance
Island Canada Vancouver Island FC
England Canvey Island F.C.
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Islanders (defunct)
United States Long Island Rough Riders, Harrisburg City Islanders (defunct)
Kingdom Srivijaya was an important centre for the expansion of Buddhism from the 8th to the 12th century. Indonesia Sriwijaya F.C.
Lake Ko: Japanese Australia South Melbourne Lakers
Canada Lakers du Lac Saint-Louis (defunct)
Japan MIO Biwako Kusatsu
United States Real Salt Lake
Marsh 'Annagh' from Irish Eanach 'Marsh' Northern Ireland Annagh United
Metropolis United States Sarasota Metropolis FC
Ocean United States Rhode Island Oceaneers (defunct)
Parish Bermuda Devonshire Cougars
Park These clubs are named after parks directly, or after the districts that take their names. Australia Fraser Park, Holland Park Hawks
England Queens Park Rangers, Upton Park (defunct)
Northern Ireland Moyola Park
United States Swope Park Rangers
Peninsula Wales South Gower
Port England Port Vale, Port of Bristol (defunct)
Scotland Port Glasgow Athletic (defunct)
Thailand Port FC
Prefecture Named after their home prefecture. If both a prefecture and its capital are homonyms, the club can be said to represent both. Japan Ehime F.C., F.C. Gifu, Tochigi S.C., F.C. Tokyo
Province Canada Nova Scotia Clippers (defunct)
Northern Ireland Ulster (defunct)
Region Italy SS Lazio, F.C. Südtirol
Canada SC Waterloo Region, York Region Shooters, Durham Storm (defunct)
Netherlands FC Twente
New Zealand Canterbury United, Hawke's Bay United, Otago United
Peru Sport Áncash, Deportivo Junín
United States Bay Area Ambassadors (defunct), High Desert Elite, New England Revolution
Republic Russia FC Buryatia, Karelia, Mordovia, FC Yakutiya
United States Sacramento Republic
River Rio: Portuguese Argentina River Plate
Belarus Dnepr Mogilev, Neman Grodno
Brazil River Atlético Clube, Clube Náutico Capibaribe
Canada Rivers FC
Denmark BK Avarta
Italy Virtus Entella
Kazakhstan Tobol (Kostanay)
Poland Wisła Kraków, Wisła Płock, Odra Wodzisław, Odra Opole, Warta Poznań
Russia Amur Blagoveshchensk, FC Amur-2010 Dnepr Smolensk, Irtysh Omsk, Kuban Krasnodar, Terek Grozny, Volga NN, Volga Tver, Volga Ulyanovsk, Volgar Astrakhan, Yenisej Krasnoyarsk, Sheksna
Portugal Rio Ave FC
Ukraine Desna Chernihiv, FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Dnistr Ovidiopol, Vorskla Poltava
United States Colorado Rapids (named for the rapids of the Colorado River)
Vietnam Song Lam Nghe An
Sound Proximity to a large sea or ocean inlet United States Seattle Sounders FC (as well as past teams of the same name), Puget Sound Gunners (defunct)
State Australia Queensland Lions
Brazil Bahia, Ceará, Goiás, Paraná
India FC Goa, Kerala Blasters FC
Malaysia Kedah, Melaka United, Pahang, Perak, Selangor
United States Arizona United, Colorado Rapids, Floridians FC, Minnesota United, New York/New Jersey MetroStars, North Carolina FC, Southern West Virginia King's Warriors, Team Hawaii
Street England Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C. (named after the "City of Bradford", and the street "Horton Park Avenue"), Hall Road Rangers, Blackburn Park Road, South Shields Adelaide Athletic (both defunct)
Wales Bridgend Street
Structural basin The Shooting Stars were named after the Permian Basin, a sedimentary basin. United States Permian Basin Shooting Stars (defunct)
Telephone area code The name Project 51O is partly inspired by Oakland's 510 area code, although features the letter O in place of the number 0 to stand for "Oakland". United States Memphis 901, Project 51O
Town Ecuador Macará
England Yeovil Town, Huddersfield Town, Halifax Town, Grimsby Town, Ipswich Town, Luton Town, Shrewsbury Town, and many more
Northern Ireland Warrenpoint Town
Republic of Ireland Athlone Town, Longford Town
United States Oly Town FC
Wales Aberystwyth Town, Caernarfon Town, Prestatyn Town
Vale/Valley Named for teams located in a town in a vale.

Wadi: Arabic for vale

Egypt Wadi Degla
England Aylesbury Vale, Pewsey Vale, Raynes Park Vale
India FC Green Valley
Northern Ireland Colin Valley
Scotland Vale of Clyde, Vale of Leithen, Vale of Leven
United States Napa Valley 1839 FC, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, Central California Valley Hydra, San Fernando Valley Quakes (both defunct)
Wales Cambrian & Clydach Vale
Village England Cudworth Village (defunct)
Northern Ireland Dromara Village
United States The Villages SC
Wales Llansantffraid Village

Specific geographical features

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Africa Named after the African continent. Ivory Coast Africa Sports
Tunisia Club Africain
Americas Named after the American continent. Brazil América Football Club, América de Natal, América Mineiro
Colombia América de Cali
Mexico América
Paraguay Sol de América
Ancient cities Corinth
(often refers to the "Corinthian ideal" of amateurism in sport)
Brazil Corinthians Paulista, Corinthians Alagoano, Atlético Clube Coríntians
England Corinthian, Corinthian-Casuals F.C., Loughborough Corinthians (defunct)
Wales Cardiff Corinthians
Sparta
Australia Blacktown Spartans
Czech Republic Sparta Prague
England Blyth Spartans
Malta Ħamrun Spartans
Netherlands Sparta Rotterdam
Norway Sparta Sarpsborg (merged)
Scotland Spartans
United States Chicago Sparta, Philadelphia Spartans (defunct)
Wales Mynydd Isa Spartans
Atlantic Ocean Named after the Atlantic Lithuania Atlantas Klaipeda
Baltic Sea Poland Bałtyk Gdynia, Bałtyk Koszalin
Russia FC Baltika Kaliningrad
Black Sea Cherno More in several Slavic languages Bulgaria Chernomorets Burgas, Cherno More Varna
Russia Chernomorets Novorossiysk
Ukraine Chornomorets Odesa
Cardiff Bay Wales Cardiff Bay Harlequins
Danube river Bulgaria Dunav Ruse
Uruguay Danubio F.C.
Guadalquivir River Betis is the Latin name of Guadalquivir Spain Real Betis
Humber estuary England F.C. Humber United
Mount Ararat Armenia FC Ararat Yerevan
Iran F.C. Ararat Tehran
Mount Asama Japan Artista Asama
Oder Poland Odra Wodzisław, Odra Opole
Pacific Ocean Canada Pacific FC
River Plate Argentina Club Atlético River Plate
Aruba SV River Plate Aruba
Brazil Sociedade Esportiva River Plate.
Ecuador River Ecuador (prior to 2017)
Paraguay Club River Plate (Asunción)
Puerto-Rico River Plate Puerto Rico
Uruguay Club Atlético River Plate (Uruguay)
River Thames England Thames Association, Thames Polytechnic (both defunct)
River Tyne England Tyne Association (defunct)
Siberia Russia FC Sibir Novosibirsk,
Silesia Czech Republic Slezský FC Opava
Poland Śląsk Wrocław
Vistula Poland Wisła Kraków, Wisła Płock
Volyn Ukraine Volyn Lutsk
Ural Mountains Russia Ural Sverdlovsk

Plants

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Oak Ghana Hearts of Oak
United States San Jose Oaks
Pine Australia Frankston Pines
Finland FC Honka
Rose The Portland Thorns name and logo intentionally reference its city's official nickname, "City of Roses".[1][2]
Bulgarian: Розова долина, romanized: Rozova dolina, lit.'rose valley'
Australia Adamstown Rosebuds
Bulgaria Rozova Dolina
Scotland Linlithgow Rose F.C., Montrose Roselea F.C.
Shamrock Symbol of Ireland. Ireland Shamrock Rovers
United States Boston Shamrock Rovers, South Carolina Shamrocks, St. Louis Shamrocks (all defunct)
Thistle National symbol of Scotland England Hereford Thistle (defunct)
New Zealand Gisborne Thistle, Timaru Thistle
Scotland Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Partick Thistle
United States Cleveland Thistles (defunct)
Timber Generic term for wood United States Portland Timbers (as well as past teams of the same name)

Space

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Galaxy Canada Brantford Galaxy (defunct)
United States LA Galaxy
Star Звезда/Zvezda: East-Slavic for "star"
Estrella - Spanish
Estrela - Portuguese.
Étoile - French
Angola Estrela Vermelha do Huambo
Australia North Eastern MetroStars SC
England Ashington Rising Star, Newcastle Blue Star, Peterborough Northern Star, Red Star Southampton, Seaham Red Star
France Red Star Paris
Mozambique Estrela Vermelha (Beira)
Northern Ireland Crumlin Star
Portugal Estrela da Amadora, Estrela de Vendas Novas
Russia Zvezda Irkutsk, Zvezda Perm, Zvezda Saint Petersburg
Scotland Solway Star (defunct)
Serbia Red Star Belgrade
Seychelles Red Star FC
Switzerland Blue Stars Zürich, FC Étoile-Sporting, Red Star Zürich
United States Chicago Red Stars, NY/NJ MetroStars, Orange County Blue Star, Permian Basin Shooting Stars
Venezuela Estrella Roja F.C.
Wales Treowen Stars

Planets

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Saturn Clubs named after exact planets. Russia Saturn Ramenskoye

Real or mythical people

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Ata Club names containing a reference to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkish field marshal, revolutionary statesman, and founder of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey Ata Spor Kulubu
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. Brazil Ajax FC
Congo Ajax de Ouenzé
Estonia FC Ajax Lasnamäe
Honduras Unión Ájax
Malta Rabat Ajax F.C.
Netherlands AFC Ajax, Ajax Sportman Combinatie
South Africa Ajax Cape Town (defunct)
Suriname VV Ajax (defunct)
United States Ajax America Women, Ajax Orlando Prospects (defunct)
Apollo Canada Hamilton Apollos (defunct)
Cyprus Apollon Limassol
Greece Apollon Kalamarias, Apollon Athens
United States Atlanta Apollos, New York Apollo (both defunct)
Aris After the Greek God of War. Greece Aris Thessaloniki
Cyprus Aris Limassol
Luxembourg Aris Bonnevoie
United States Eau Claire Aris FC
Arminius Former Roman general, led a unified Germanic coalition to victory against the Roman Empire. Germany Arminia Bielefeld
Atlas Club names containing a reference to Atlas. Mexico Club Atlas
Argentina Club Atlético Atlas
Simón Bolívar Bolivia Club Bolívar
Hristo Botev Named after Hristo Botev, a Genius Bulgarian poet, revolutionary and a national hero of Bulgaria. Bulgaria PFC Botev Plovdiv
Guillermo Brown Argentina Club Almirante Brown
Andrea Doria Italy Sampdoria (from merger of Sampierdarenese, team of San Pier d'Arena, borough of Genoa, and Società Ginnastica Andrea Doria, team so named from the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria)
Druids Celtic Priest Wales Cefn Druids
Erminio Giana World War I fallen soldier from Gorgonzola Italy Giana Erminio
Luis Ángel Firpo El Salvador C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo
Hercules/Heracles After the Greek demi-god. Greece Iraklis F.C.
Netherlands Heracles Almelo
Spain Hércules CF
Hotspur Named after Henry Percy, aka Harry Hotspur England Tottenham Hotspur
Wales Holyhead Hotspur
Joan of Arc Réunion SS Jeanne d'Arc
Senegal ASC Jeanne d'Arc
Lech Named after Lech, legendary founder of Polish nation. Poland Lech Poznań, Lech Rypin
Vasil Levski Named after Vasil Levski, Bulgarian revolutionary and a national hero of Bulgaria. Bulgaria Levski Sofia
Sam Mark Sam Mark was the club owner. United States Fall River F.C. (defunct) Referred to as Marksmen as in Mark's men.
Nerthus Germanic goddess of fertility. Germany Hertha BSC
Odysseus Named after legendary Greek king and Homer's epic poem Armenia Ulisses F.C.
Silvio Pettirossi Paraguay Club Silvio Pettirossi
Rio Branco Named after the Baron of Rio Branco. Brazil Rio Branco Atlético Clube, Rio Branco Esporte Clube, Clube Esportivo Rio Branco, Rio Branco Sport Club
Rob Roy Scotland Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C.
Robin Hood Suriname SV Robinhood
Sachin Tendulkar

Named after the Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also known as Master Blaster.

India Kerala Blasters
Santa Claus Finland FC Santa Claus
Skënderbeu Named after the Albanian national hero, Skanderbeg. Albania Skënderbeu Korçë
Solomon Ghana King Solomon FC
Spartacus The famous leader of the slaves in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic (c. 73–71 BCE). Armenia Spartak Yerevan (def.)
Bulgaria PFC Spartak Pleven, Spartak Plovdiv, PFC Spartak Varna
Georgia Spartaki Tskhinvali
Kazakhstan Spartak Semey
Latvia Spartaks Jūrmala
Russia FC Spartak Moscow, FC Spartak Nalchik, Spartak-Alania Vladikavkaz, FC Spartak Kostroma, FC Spartak Tambov, FC Spartak Yoshkar-Ola, FC Spartak Gorno-Altaysk
Serbia Spartak Subotica, FK Spartak Ljig, Spartak Zlatibor Voda
Slovakia Spartak Trnava
Ukraine Spartak Ivano-Frankivsk
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
South Africa Vasco da Gama (South Africa)
Veles An old Slavic God Russia Veles
Victoria Named after Queen Victoria. England Northwich Victoria, Biddulph Victoria
Wales Brymbo Victoria, Rhostyllen Victoria (defunct), Wrexham Victoria (defunct)
Vikings Faroe Islands Víkingur Gøta
Finland FC Viikingit
Iceland Knattspyrnufélagið Víkingur, Ungmennafélagið Víkingur
Norway Viking FK
United States San Francisco Vikings
Willem II Netherlands Willem II
Jorge Wilstermann Bolivia Club Jorge Wilstermann
Zawisza Named after Zawisza Czarny, Polish knight and nobleman. Poland Zawisza Bydgoszcz
Zico Brazil Centro de Futebol Zico Sociedade Esportiva

Sport

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Actions Ruch in Polish means "movement", Naprzód means "forward".

En avant in French means "forward.

Austria Rapid Wien
France En Avant Guingamp
Netherlands Go Ahead Eagles
Poland Naprzód Jędziejów, Ruch Chorzów, Ruch Radzionków, Ruch Wysokie Mazowieckie, Ruch Zdzieszowice
Sweden BK Forward
United States Forward Madison FC
Amateur Clubs originating in amateur status teams. England Salford Amateurs, Yorkshire Amateur
Wales Blaenau Ffestiniog Amateur
Athletics Club names containing a reference to athletes or athletics. In the United States, the term "athletics" refers to sport in general. Angola Petro Atlético
Belgium Koninklijke Atletiek Associatie Gent
Brazil Atlético Mineiro, Atlético Paranaense
Canada Atletico Ottawa
Colombia Atlético Nacional, Atlético Bucaramanga
England Charlton Athletic, Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic
France Cercle Athlétique de Paris-Charenton
India Atlético de Kolkata
New Zealand Whanganui Athletic
Northern Ireland Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club, Clough Rangers Athletic
Republic of Ireland Rathmines Athletic (defunct), St Patrick's Athletic
Scotland Dunfermline Athletic, Forfar Athletic, Alloa Athletic, Annan Athletic
Spain Athletic Bilbao, Atlético Madrid
Timor-Leste Atlético Ultramar
United States [Hartford Athletic],New York Athletic Club, Athletic Club of St. Louis (defunct)
Wales Bethesda Athletic, Wrexham Athletic
Casuals Clubs originating in amateur status teams. England Corinthian-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 Cricket and Football Club
Northern Ireland Derriaghy Cricket Club F.C.
Fencing Argentina Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Gymnastics These clubs usually have a historical affiliation with gymnastics. Argentina Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta
France Olympique Gymnaste Club de Nice-Côte d'Azur
Germany Turn- und Sportgemeinschaft 1899 Hoffenheim
Norway Larvik Turn & I.F.
Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona, Gimnástica de Torrelavega
Turkey Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü
Wales Wrexham Gymnasium (defunct)
Olympic Games Club names containing a reference to either the Olympic Games or the ancient city of Olympia, Greece. Australia Adelaide Olympic, Olympic FC, Sydney Olympic
Azerbaijan FK Olimpik Baku
Belgium Olympia Bruxelles, Olympic Charleroi
Canada Montreal Olympique, Toronto Olympians (both defunct)
England Blackburn Olympic, Notts Olympic (both defunct), Rushall Olympic
France Nîmes Olympique, Olympique Lyonnais, Olympique Marseille
Ghana Accra Great Olympics
Greece Olympiacos F.C., Olympiakos Volou 1937 F.C.
Honduras CD Olimpia
New Zealand Bay Olympic
Northern Ireland Ballynahinch Olympic
Paraguay Olimpia Asunción
Poland Olimpia Elbląg, Olimpia Grudziądz, Olimpia Poznań (defunct)
Romania Olimpia Satu Mare
Slovenia Olimpija Ljubljana
Ukraine Olimpik Donetsk
Wales Wrexham Olympic
Rambling Hillwalking England Burnham Ramblers F.C.
Republic of Ireland Cobh Ramblers F.C.
Racing The English Racing Club is so named due to the club playing in the locale of Warwick Racecourse. Argentina Racing Avellaneda
Belgium Koninklijke Racing Club Genk
England Racing Club Warwick
France Racing Club de France Colombes 92
Racing Club de Strasbourg
Racing Club de Lens
Spain Racing Santander, Racing de Ferrol
United States Racing Louisville
Uruguay Racing Montevideo
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 and polideportivo (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, Sporting Clube da Praia
Chile Club Deportivo Huachipato, Club Deportivo O'Higgins, Deportivo Temuco
Colombia Deportivo Cali, Deportivo Pereira, Deportes Quindío, Deportes Tolima, Deportivo Pasto, Depor FC
Egypt Alexandria Sporting Club
England Woodley Sports, Mickleover Sports, Hullbridge Sports, Cowes Sports
France Angers Sporting Club de l'Ouest, Union Sportive du Littoral de Dunkerque
Ghana Sporting Saint Mirren
Republic of Ireland Sporting Fingal (defunct)
Jamaica Sporting Central Academy
Netherlands Helmond Sport, Sportclub Heerenveen
Paraguay Sportivo Luqueño
Peru Deportivo Wanka, Sport Boys
Portugal Desportivo das Aves, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Sporting Braga
Romania Sportul Studențesc
Rwanda Kiyovu Sports, Mukura Victory Sports
Scotland Arbroath Sporting Club (defunct)
Spain Sporting de Gijón, Deportivo de La Coruña, Club Polideportivo Granada 74, other clubs with RCD (Real Club Deportivo)
Switzerland FC Lausanne-Sport
Turkey Alanyaspor, Bursaspor, Hatayspor, Kayserispor, Trabzonspor, Samsunspor
United States Sporting Kansas City
Wales Mochdre Sports, Prestatyn Sports
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
Surf Australia Surf Coast FC
United States California Surf (defunct), South Florida Surf
Tennis Football department was added to tennis club. Germany Tennis Borussia Berlin

Sports societies

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Spal The Spal sports clubs, associated with Salesian Society Italy S.P.A.L.
Beitar The Betar movement, associated with Revisionist Zionism Israel Beitar Jerusalem F.C., Beitar Tel Aviv F.C.
Rapid Rapid means fast (Latin) Austria SK Rapid Wien
Romania FC Rapid București
SK SK Is a shortening Sports Club in Norwegian and German Norway SK Brann
Austria SK Rapid Wien
CSKA CSKA means Central Army Sports Club in most Slavic languages. CWKS is the Polish equivalent, and CSCA is the Romanian/Moldovan equivalent. Indicates that the team was/is originally part of the army. (Just SKA or ASK if the army club was/is based not in the capital.) Bulgaria CSKA Sofia
Cambodia Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FA
Laos Lao Army F.C.
Malaysia Armed Forces F.C.
Poland CWKS Legia Warszawa
Romania CSCA București
Russia PFC CSKA Moscow
Ukraine CSKA Kyiv
Dynamo Majority are 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 Dinamo Minsk, Dinamo Brest
Canada Dynamo de Quebec (defunct)
Croatia Dinamo Zagreb
Czech Republic Dynamo České Budějovice
England Loughborough Dynamo, Shepshed Dynamo, Colne Dynamoes (defunct)
Estonia Dünamo Tallinn
Georgia Dinamo Batumi, Dinamo Tbilisi, Dinamo Sukhumi
Germany Berliner FC Dynamo, Dynamo Dresden
India Delhi Dynamos
Latvia FK Dinamo-Rīnuži/LASD
Republic of Moldova FC Dinamo Bender
Romania Dinamo Bucharest
Russia Dynamo Moscow, Dynamo Bryansk, Dynamo Bryansk, Dynamo Barnaul, Dynamo Kirov, Dinamo Spb, Dinamo Biysk, Dinamo Kostroma, Dinamo Stavropol, Dinamo Makhackhala (def.)
Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv, Dinamo Luhansk
United States Houston Dynamo
Uzbekistan Dinamo Samarqand
Zimbabwe Dynamos Harare
Hapoel Hebrew for The Worker, an Israeli sport association, with links to trade unionism Israel Hapoel Acre, Hapoel Ashkelon, Hapoel Asi Gilboa, Hapoel Balfouria, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Ironi Rishon LeZion, Hapoel Jerusalem, Hapoel Petah Tikva, Hapoel Ra'anana, Hapoel Ramat Gan, Hapoel Tel Aviv
Homenetmen pan-Armenian sports and Scouting organization Lebanon Homenetmen Beirut F.C.
Homenmen pan-Armenian sports and Scouting organization Lebanon Homenmen Beirut
IF IF, Idrætsforening, Danish for Sporting Society Norway, Denmark Brøndby IF, Strømsgodset IF, Mjøndalen IF
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. Finland Helsingfors IFK, IFK Mariehamn, Vasa IFK, Åbo IFK, Grankulla IFK
Sweden IFK Eskilstuna, IFK Göteborg, IFK Malmö, IFK Norrköping, IFK Lidingö, IFK Stockholm, IFK Uddevalla, IFK Umeå, IFK Åmål, IFK Mora, IFK Luleå
Maccabi For Jewish teams, indicates that the team was originally part of the Maccabi sport society. Israel and others (see Maccabi)
Spartak For Eastern European teams, indicates that the team was originally part of the Soviet Spartak sport society or an equivalent. Bulgaria Spartak Varna
Russia Spartak Moscow, Spartak Nalchik
Torpedo For Eastern European teams, indicates that the team was once part of the Soviet republican VSS Trud (automobile and truck manufacture industries). Belarus Torpedo Minsk, Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino
Georgia Torpedo Kutaisi
Russia Torpedo Moscow, Torpedo Vladimir, Torpedo Armavir, Torpedo Miass Torpedo-ZIL Moscow
Ukraine Torpedo Zaporizhzhia
Vorwärts Armeesportvereinigung Vorwärts were the sports society of the East German Army. East Germany/Germany Vorwärts Berlin
Austria Vorwärts Steyr
Zenit For Eastern European teams, indicates that the team was originally part of the Soviet Zenit sport society or an equivalent. Czech Republic Zenit Čáslav
Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg, Zenit Penza

Values and ideals

Topic Meaning Country Clubs
Bravery Canada Ottawa Intrepid (defunct)
United States North Carolina Courage
Freedom "Libertas" meaning "freedom" in Latin, Libertad means freedom in Spanish Argentina Libertad de Sunchales
Ghana Liberty Professionals FC
Italy Lucchese Libertas
San Marino A.C. Libertas
United States New York Pancyprian-Freedoms, Miami Freedom, Washington Freedom (both defunct)
Health "Osasuna" means "health" in Basque Spain CA Osasuna
Hope Benin Espoir FC
Cameroon Espérance FC
France Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne
Republic of Moldova FC Speranţa Cahul
Niger Espoir FC
Rwanda Espoir FC
Tunisia Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Espérance Sportive de Zarzis, Espoir Sportif de Hammam-Sousse
Independence Persian: Esteghlal Argentina Club Atlético Independiente
Brazil Independência Futebol Clube, Independente Esportes Clube Macaé
Colombia Independiente Medellín
Iran Esteghlal Tehran F.C.
United States Charlotte Independence
Loyalty United States San Diego Loyal
Multiculturalism "Cosmos" is short for "Cosmopolitan" San Marino S.S. Cosmos
South Africa Jomo Cosmos, OR Tambo Cosmos
United States New York Cosmos
Perseverance England Methley Perseverance (defunct)
Spirit Australia North West Sydney Spirit
New Zealand Coastal Spirit
United States Tulsa Spirit, Washington Spirit, Baltimore Spirit, Penn-Jersey Spirit (both defunct)
Rebellion United States New England Revolution, Tacoma Defiance
Unity An example of this is Alianza (Spanish). Canada Unity FC
El Salvador Alianza F.C.
England Aston Unity, Great Bridge Unity (both defunct)
Germany 1. FC Union Berlin
Ghana Unity F.C.
Peru Alianza Lima, Alianza Atlético
Romania Unirea Urziceni, Unirea Alba-Iulia, Unirea Focșani
United States Philadelphia Union
Ukraine FC Yednist' Plysky
Valour Canada Valour FC
Victory Arabic: Al-Nasr Australia Melbourne Victory FC
Czech Republic FC Viktoria Plzeň
Egypt Al Nasr
England Attercliffe Victory (defunct)
Honduras Victoria
Luxembourg FC Victoria Rosport
Republic of Moldova Victoria Bardar
Romania FC Victoria Brăneşti, Victoria București
Rwanda Mukura Victory Sports
Saudi Arabia Al-Nasr
United Arab Emirates Al-Nasr Sports Club
Youth Examples of this are "jeunesse" (French), "junior" (several languages) and "iuventūs" (Latin) Algeria Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie
Argentina Boca Juniors, Argentinos Juniors, Chacarita Juniors, Juventud Alianza de San Juan
Belize Juventus (Belize)
Brazil EC Juventude, CA Juventus
Cameroon Jeunesse Bamiléké
Cape Verde Juventude do Norte
Colombia Junior de Barranquilla, Juventud Soacha
Ecuador Juvenil Minera (Las Naves), Juvenil (Quinindé), Juvenil de Esmeraldas, Club Social y Deportivo Juventus, Juventud Italiana (Manta)
France Association de la Jeunesse auxerroise
Germany Deutsche Jugendkraft Don Bosco Bamberg
Honduras C.D. Real Juventud, Real Juventud San Joaquín
Côte d'Ivoire Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan
Indonesia Arema
Ireland Wexford Youths
Italy Juventus F.C., A.S. Fortis Juventus 1909, S.S. Juve Stabia, A.G. Nocerina 1910
Laos Young Elephants FC
Luxembourg Jeunesse Esch, Jeunesse Hautcharage, Jeunesse Sportive Verlorenkost
Morocco Jeunesse Massira
Romania Juventus București
Russia FC Smena Komsomolsk-na-Amure
Serbia Mladost Lučani, Mladost Apatin
Singapore Young Lions FC
Switzerland BSC Young Boys
Tunisia Jeunesse Sportive Kairouanaise
Uruguay Rampla Juniors
Wales Acrefair Youth, Johnstown Youth

References

  1. Siemers, Erik (13 December 2012). "Timbers name new women's club Portland Thorns". Portland Business Journal. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  2. "Portland women's pro team unveils "Thorns FC" as identity". Clubs. Soccer Wire. 13 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  3. "Histórico". NetVasco. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
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