Top 89 Theme Names for Teams

Lindsey Desmet
Updated January 10, 2023
Team having a discussion

When planning a team-based event or organizing a large group into teams, it can help to have a specific theme that all teams must follow for their name.

While it’s fun for team members to have freedom when choosing their names, giving them some guidelines can help make their decisions easier and inspire them.

Studies show that limitations can actually bring about greater creativity![1]

The theme you choose should keep in mind the purpose of the event and the audience (professionals? students? etc.).[2] In many ways, your choice will set the tone for the event.

Below, we list more than 80 team name theme ideas, plus tips for choosing the perfect theme for your group!

Note that linked themes will direct you to our lists featuring team names that fit that particular theme.

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    Mythical Creatures

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    Superheroes

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    Fairy Tale Endings

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    Seven Sins

    inspired by pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth

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    Landmarks

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    The Four Elements

    inspired by earth, water, air, and fire

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    Outlaws

    name each team after a famous criminal, from old west outlaws to mobsters

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    Most Vicious Villains

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    Flowers

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    Odd Error Messages

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    Superhero Day Jobs

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    Outer Space

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    Trees

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    Pet Peeves

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    Star Wars

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    Colors

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    Greek Gods and Goddesses

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    Worst Things to Find in Your Attic/Basement

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    Sketchy Restaurant Names

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    Animals

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    Insects

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    Harry Potter

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    One-Hit Wonders

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    Seen at the Circus

    name each team after a circus act, such as “Ringmasters” or “Magicians”

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    Planets

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    Snow Cone Flavors

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    Herstory

    name each team after a famous woman from history

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    First Day Jitters

    name each team after something that would make you nervous on the first day of school or at a new job

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    Under-Sea Creatures

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    1990s

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    Rejected Children's Books

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    Greatest Films Never Made

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    Alternative Facts

    similar to Alternate Histories, but with basic facts — like “Clear Skies Are Green”

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    Fictional Worlds

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    Coolest Cars

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    Odd Jobs

    name each team after a strange or unusual career

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    Non-Charting Boy Bands

    create rejected ’90s boy band names

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    Doomsday Scenarios

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    Extinct Creatures

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    Fates Worse Than Death

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    Star Trek

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    Innovators

    name each team after a famous thinker or inventor

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    Weird Laws

    name each team after a nonsensical or silly law, such as “Don’t Drive Blindfolded” or “No Highway Horse Races”

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    Conspiracy Theories

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    Proudest Moments

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    Super Powers

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    1337

    every team name must be in leetspeak

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    Strange Grocery Delivery Substitutions

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    Foods

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    Word Translations

    choose a word and name each team after a translation of that word (e.g., translating “Love” into team names like the French “Amour” or the Korean Romanization “Sarang”)

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    Greatest Character Flaws

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    Flashback

    each team chooses a decade or century to represent

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    Alternate Histories

    name each team after something that didn’t happen, such as Gerald Ford’s second term as president

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    Corny Pick-Up Lines

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    Seven Heavenly Virtues

    inspired by prudence, justics, temperance, courage, faith, hope, and charity

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    Famous Firsts

    name each team after the first time something happened, such as “Robert Cornelius’ Selfie” or “The Ford Quadricycle” (the first car designed by Henry Ford)

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    Spooky Old Mansions

    choose a name that sounds like it would suit a haunted estate

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    Famous Ensembles

    name each team after a well-known band, screen ensemble, etc.

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    Worst Impulse Buys

    name each team after something you regret buying

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    Grease Is the Word

    name each team after something retro/1950s-inspired

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    Numbers

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    Oscar Winners

    name each team after an Academy Award-winning film or star

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    The Seven Wonders of the World

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    1980s

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    Box Office Flops

    real or imagined films that would fail at the box office

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    News Bloopers/Strange Headlines

    referencing news that doesn’t sound real or was shared in error

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    Weird Vacation Destinations

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    Hollywood Chrises

    name each team after a famous “Chris,” such as Chris Hemsworth or Chris Evans

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    Hawaii/Island Life

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    Spy Skills

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    Canceled TV Pilots

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    High Fashion

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    Natural Disasters

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    Unusual Movie Genres

    strange combinations like “Horror-Romance” or “Silent Music Documentaries”

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    National Parks

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    Holidays

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    Patriotism

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    Fast Food Combos

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    College Majors

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    Pro Team Mascots

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    Countries

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    Musical Instruments

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    Spices

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    Cartoon Characters

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    Weather

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    Birds

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    Reptiles

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    Gemstones

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    Unusual Pizza Toppings

How to Choose the Perfect Theme for Your Team or Event

Keep these tips in mind to find or create the perfect theme for your teams/event:

  • Choose an appropriate theme. Your theme should match the type of event or activity you’re planning. For example, if you’re splitting your division at work into smaller teams for a complex project, you’ll want to be sure to choose a theme that’s appropriate for your workplace. Are you a company that follows strict rules of professionalism or one with a more relaxed atmosphere? Always keep your environment in mind when choosing themes and team names.
  • Consider the interests of your groups. Are your participants pop culture whizzes, ’90s babies, foodies, or nature lovers? If they have a lot in common, calling upon their interests can make it easier to choose the perfect theme. For instance, if none of the participants enjoy camping or hiking, you’ll probably want to avoid the National Parks and Great Outdoors themes. However, if they’re all outdoorsy, choosing one of these themes will make the event even more fun for them.
  • Use your sense of humor. Some people like puns, some like slapstick, and others like dark humor. Whatever your sense of humor, if the teams share it, put it to good use when choosing the theme. Funny names are always great to use — they can completely shape the mood of your event! Some ideas on our list above won’t be appropriate for every team or event; use your best judgment and be sure not to choose a theme that some participants will find offensive.
  • Consider the event size. Many of the themes on our list above have the potential to spawn dozens of team names, but if you’re planning an activity for a particularly large number of teams, consider the limitations of the themes you like. Something like “The Four Elements” won’t work if you have 12 teams, for example.
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