Every NBA Team Name’s Origins, Meanings Revealed

NBA team names reflect a mix of local history, industry, wildlife and fan culture, though relocations have left some names disconnected from their current cities. Examples include the Celtics’ nod to Boston’s Irish heritage, the 76ers’ reference to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, and the Pistons’ origins in a Fort Wayne auto-parts business. Other names emerged from popular culture or changing sensibilities: Toronto’s Raptors followed the success of Jurassic Park, while Washington changed from the Bullets to the Wizards amid concerns about the original name’s association with gun violence.