Premier League teams' nicknames: Find out your favorite EPL team’s nickname

Premier League teams' nicknames: Find out your favorite EPL team’s nickname

Babu Tendu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM

Premier League teams are known for their skill on the pitch and their unique and often amusing monikers. From the Red Devils of Manchester United to the Gunners of Arsenal, these monikers can inspire fear, respect, or even a chuckle from fans and opponents alike. This article will examine some of the most iconic and interesting Premier League teams' nicknames and explore their origins and meanings.

Premier League teams' nicknames
The English Premier League Heads up campaign logo. (Photo by Catherine Ivill)
Source: Getty Images

While some Premier League team nicknames are straightforward and easily understandable, others have more obscure origins that may surprise you. For example, did you know that the handle of Tottenham Hotspur, the Spurs, was inspired by the club's history as a cricket team? Or that the one of West Ham United, the Hammers, refers to the club's origins as a team of shipbuilders? By delving into the stories behind these nicknames, we can better understand English football's rich and varied history.

Premier League teams' nicknames and stadiums

Team

Stadium

Capacity

Arsenal

Emirates Stadium

60,704

Aston Villa

Villa Park

42,657

Bournemouth

Dean Court

11,307

Brentford

Brentford Community Stadium

17,250

Brighton & Hove Albion

Falmer Stadium

31,800

Chelsea

Stamford Bridge

40,343

Crystal Palace

Selhurst Park

25,486

Everton

Goodison Park

39,414

Fulham

Craven Cottage

22,384

Leeds United

Elland Road

37,608

Leicester City

King Power Stadium

32,262

Liverpool

Anfield

53,394

Manchester City

City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad)

53,400

Manchester United

Old Trafford

75,546

Newcastle United

St James' Park

52,305

Nottingham Forest

City Ground

30,445

Southampton

St Mary's Stadium

32,384

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

62,850

West Ham United

London Stadium

62,500

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Molineux Stadium

31,750

Arsenal

Premier League teams' nicknames
The Arsenal dug out seats before a Premier League match at Emirates Stadium on March 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC)
Source: Getty Images

Arsenal's moniker, "The Gunners," comes from the club's roots as a team of armament factory workers. The team was founded in 1886 in Woolwich, southeast London, and was initially called Dial Square after a workshop in the factory. The name "Gunners" was adopted in the 1890s and has been used ever since.

Aston Villa

Premier League teams' nicknames
A detailed view of the wording Aston Villa on the gates on the outside of the stadium. (Photo by Marc Atkins)
Source: Getty Images

Aston Villa's nickname, "The Villans," comes from the name of the club itself, which was founded in 1874 by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Birmingham. The team has also been called "The Lions" in the past, a nod to the lion that appears on the club's crest. Of all Premier League teams' nicknames, this one stands out.

Bournemouth

Premier League teams' nicknames
General view inside the Vitality Stadium taken on March 11, 2023, in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Luke Walker)
Source: Getty Images

Another among the English Premier League teams' nicknames, is Bournemouth's nickname, "The Cherries," comes from the cherry orchards that used to be plentiful in the area. The team was founded in 1899 and played its first match on the field of a local girls' school. The cherry tree appears on the club's crest.

Brentford

Premier League teams' nicknames
A Brentford crest is seen outside the stadium in Brentford, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse)
Source: Getty Images

Brentford's nickname, "The Bees," comes from the bee that appears on the club's crest. The origins of the bee are unclear, but one theory is that it references the town's former association with beekeeping.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Premier League teams' nicknames
Brighton's supporters celebrate with a mock trophy at the end of the English FA Cup quarter-final football match involving Brighton & Hove Albion. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP)
Source: Getty Images

Brighton & Hove Albion's nickname, "The Seagulls," comes from the gulls that can be seen around the town's seafront. The team was founded in 1901 and played its first match on a field in Hove, a suburb of Brighton.

Chelsea

Premier League teams' nicknames
Chelsea's Portuguese striker Joao Felix (C front) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during an English Premier League match. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP)
Source: Getty Images

What do Chelsea fans call themselves? Chelsea's nickname, "The Blues," comes from the team's blue kit, which has been a feature of the club since its inception in 1905. The kit was chosen to represent the blue of the Royal Hospital, which is located near the team's home stadium, Stamford Bridge.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace's nickname, "The Eagles," comes from the eagle that appears on the club's crest. The eagle was chosen as a symbol of the Crystal Palace, a glass and iron structure that once stood in the area and was destroyed by fire in 1936.

Everton

The Toffees is the nickname for Everton Football Club, which comes from the toffee shops that were once abundant near the club's Goodison Park stadium. Another nickname for Everton is The Blues, which is derived from its traditional blue and white striped kit. Everton fans are sometimes referred to as The School of Science due to its reputation for playing attractive, free-flowing football. This makes this team appear on our EPL teams' nicknames list.

Fulham

Premier League teams' nicknames
Fans arrive at the stadium before the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage on February 11, 2023, in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote)
Source: Getty Images

Fulham Football Club is sometimes called The Cottagers, which is a reference to the club's Craven Cottage home ground. Another nickname for Fulham is The Whites, which comes from Fulham's predominantly white kit. The origin of the nickname The Lilywhites is not clear, but it may be a reference to the white flowers that grow in abundance in the area around Fulham. The club also has one of the best Premier League team names.

Leeds United

Premier League teams' nicknames
Leeds United's Luke Ayling celebrates scoring for Leicester City on Saturday, 11th March 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Pantano/MI News/NurPhoto)
Source: Getty Images

Leeds United Football Club is often called The Whites, which is a reference to the club's all-white kit. Another nickname for Leeds United is The Peacocks, which comes from the bird that appears on the team's crest. The origins of the nickname The Whites can be traced back to the 1960s when Leeds United was known for its stylish play and clean-cut image.

Leicester City

Premier League teams' nicknames
Patson Daka of Leicester City during a Leicester City training session at Leicester City Training Ground, Seagrave, on March 16, 2023. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC)
Source: Getty Images

Leicester City Football Club is often called The Foxes, a reference to the animal appearing on the club's crest. Another nickname for Leicester City is The Blues, which comes from the traditional blue and white kit. The Foxes' nickname dates back to the 1940s when a group of fans began wearing fox tails to matches to support the team.

Liverpool

Premier League teams' nicknames
Players of Liverpool FC line up prior to the game during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match on March 15, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto)
Source: Getty Images

What is the nickname for Liverpool? Liverpool Football Club is often called The Reds, which is a reference to the club's red kit. Another nickname for Liverpool is The Kopites, which comes from the famous Kop stand at Anfield stadium. The Reds nickname dates back to the early 1960s when the club's manager Bill Shankly changed the team's kit from red and white to all red.

Manchester City

Premier League teams' nicknames
Manchester City mascot Moonchester waves during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match at Etihad Stadium on March 18, 2023, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole)
Source: Getty Images

Manchester City Football Club is often called The Citizens, which is a reference to the club's close ties with the city of Manchester. Another nickname for Manchester City is The Sky Blues, which comes from the club's traditional sky blue kit. The Citizens nickname dates back to the late 19th century when it was known as West Gorton (St. Marks) and played in front of predominantly local crowds.

Manchester United

Premier League teams' nicknames
Willian of Fulham walks down the tunnel after being sent off during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final at Old Trafford on March 19, 2023, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA)
Source: Getty Images

Manchester United, also known as "the Red Devils," got their nickname from the club's logo, which features a red devil with a pitchfork in hand. The name was first used by legendary manager Sir Matt Busby in the 1960s and has since become synonymous with the club's success and fighting spirit.

Newcastle United

Premier League teams' nicknames
Fans look on outside St. James Park on March 12, 2023, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker)
Source: Getty Images

Newcastle United, or "the Magpies," owe their nickname to the black and white stripes of their home kit, which resemble the plumage of a magpie. The name has been used since the early 20th century and is now a beloved symbol of the club's proud Geordie heritage.

Nottingham Forest

Premier League teams' nicknames
A Rainbow over the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at City Ground in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill)
Source: Getty Images

Nottingham Forest, also known as "the Tricky Trees," were given their nickname by former player and manager Brian Clough, who famously described the club as "a team of artists" who could "paint the ball" around the pitch with ease. The name has stuck ever since and is now a fondly remembered part of the club's history.

Southampton

Premier League teams' nicknames
General view inside the St Mary's Stadium taken on March 19, 2023, in Southampton, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst - The FA)
Source: Getty Images

Among the Premier League teams with an outstanding nicknames is Southampton, or "the Saints," originally known as "the Saintly Reds" due to their red and white kit and association with the nearby St. Mary's Church. The name was eventually shortened to "the Saints" and has been used ever since.

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League teams' nicknames
The LED board shows the logo for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the outside of the stadium in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield)
Source: Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur, or simply "Spurs," were named after an old cricket club in the Tottenham area called the Hotspur Cricket Club. The cricket club was named after Sir Henry Percy, a famous medieval warrior known as "Harry Hotspur," who is also the inspiration for the club's badge. Hence making it into this list of EPL teams with their nicknames.

West Ham United

Premier League teams' nicknames
A detailed view of the West Ham United logo inside the London Stadium taken on March 12, 2023, in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling)
Source: Getty Images

West Ham United, or "the Hammers," were originally known as Thames Ironworks FC, after the shipbuilding company that founded the club. When the club turned professional and joined the Southern League in 1898, it changed its name to West Ham United and adopted the crossed hammers as its badge.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Premier League teams' nicknames
Teammates congratulate Spanish midfielder Adama Traore (R) at the end of an English Premier League football match. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP)
Source: Getty Images

Wolverhampton Wanderers, or simply "Wolves," were given their nickname due to their tendency to wander around the country playing exhibition matches during the early days of professional football. The name has stuck ever since and is now a beloved symbol of the club's long and storied history. Hence making this team make it into this list of English Premier League teams and their nicknames.

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