National Team Nicknames

[rowan]

Team Nickname notes
Algeria Les Lionceaux meaning "The Lion Cubs"
American Samoa Talavalu
Andorra Els Isards
Argentina Los Pumas (Pumas) The Argentina team is called Los Pumas because of the animal depicted as the team's emblem. However, that animal is actually a jaguar (ayaguareté) and not a puma!
Australia Wallabies A wallaby is a small kangaroo
Austria Steinböcke a Ibex or alpine mountain goat
Barbados Bajans
Belgium Zwarte Duivels meaning Black Devils in Dutch. Also Diables Noirs (black devils in French)
Botswana The Vultures
Brazil Os Tupis Tupis are the main ethnic group of Brazilian indigenous people.
Brunei Leopards
Burundi Intawamba meaning lions
Burkina Faso Etalions
Cambodia Koupreys meaning Buffalos
Cameroon Indomitable Lions "Les Lions Indomptables"
Canada Canucks or Maple Leafs Canucks is a slang term for Canadians
Catalonia El XV de la ginesta
Cayman Islands Turtles
Chad Les Sao
Chile Los Cóndores The Condors
Colombia Tucanos
Congo (Democratic Republic) Leopards
Congo (Republic) Diables Rouges
Costa Rica Ticos
Côte D'Ivoire Les Éléphants
Cyprus The Moufflons
Czech Republic Panthers
Denmark Danish Lions
El Salvador Los Torogoces Turquoise-browed Motmots
England Red and Whites The Red and Whites is not a commonly used name. It comes from the red and white playing strip. Also the Roses? A Fenchman notified me that in France the English team is called "Le 15 de la Rose" - literally: "The 15 of the Rose".
Ecuador Los Piqueros named after the bird
Fiji Bati (The Warriors) / Flying Fijians
France Le XV de France "Le XV de France" literally translates as "The 15 of France". France's team is also called les bleus (the blues) because of the color of their uniform, though "Les Bleus" is more of a generic name for all French national teams. Before their curent strip which is mostly blue, the French team played in blue shirts, white shorts, and red socks, the colors of the national flag, and were nicknamed "Les Tricolores". Also sometimes Le Coqs (the cockerels).
Georgia The Lelos The name comes from lelo, an indigenous Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try". One standard cheer of Georgian rugby union fans is Lelo, Lelo, Sakartvelo (Try, Try, Georgia). Another nickname that is sometimes used is "Men of Borjgali"
Greece I Ethniki which means "The National (team)"
Guatemala Jaguares
Honduras Orquideas (informally Baleadas, which is the national tortilla)
Hong Kong Dragons
Indonesia White Rhinos
Iran Team Melli
Ireland - Ireland do not commonly use a nickname. If anything, they would be called the shamrocks (it's the team's emblem)
Italy Gli Azzurri the same as their football (soccer) team and other Italian teams, a reference to their jersey color. Translates as "light blue or "azure".
Japan The Brave Blossoms Named after their emblem. The team was previously called the 'Cherry Blossoms'.
Kazakhstan The Nomads
Kenya The Simbas Simba is the Swahili word for Lion
Lebanon Phoenix The Phoenix is said to be the official bird of Lebanon and is often used to describe the capital city, Beirut, which has been destroyed on 7 different occasions and been rebuilt.
Madagascar Les Makis
Mali Les Hippos
Mauritania Les Oryxs
Malta The Rams
Mexico Serpientes meaning Snakes
Moldova Haiduci
Morocca Atlas Lions
Namibia Welwitschias The Welwitschias is a plant which is considered a living fossil and features on the country's coat of arms. (The team is aka Biltongboere).
Netherlands Oranje may also be The Impala's
New Zealand All Blacks black is the color of the New Zealand jersey
Nicaragua Tiburones (Sharks)
Niger Zebou
Nigeria Black Stallions
Niue Toa Niue
Pakistan The Greenshirts
Panama Diablos Rojos meaning Red Devils
Papua New Guinea The Pukpuks
Paraguay Los yacarés means the Alligators
Peru Los Tumis a ceremonial knife
Philippines Volcanoes
Poland Biało-czerwoni meaning white-reds
Portugal Os Lobos meaning The Wolves
Romania Oaks Named for their emblem.
Russia Bears
Rwanda Silverbacks
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Amazona Guildingii Name for the rare and graceful Vincentian Parrot.
Samoa (Western Samoa) Manu Samoa 'Manu Samoa' is the name of a famous Samoan chief/warrior some 10 generations ago.
Santa Lucia Zandolis
Scotland - Scotland do not commonly use a nickname, though sometimes they are called the thistle (it's their emblem)
Senegal Lions
Serbia Orlovi meaning eagles
Slovenia Encijani means The Gentians, because the crest of the Slovenia rugby union national team is a gentian, a blue flower
Solomon Islands Warriors
South Africa Springboks Also called Boks, or more correctly the Sprinbokke, or Bokke
Spain El XV Del León Named for the lion on their emblem.
Sri Lanka The brave Elephants / Tuskers
Swaziland Sizeze
Switzerland Edelweiss
Tanzania Twigas
Trinidad and Tobago The Calypso Warriors
Togo Eperviers meanig hawks
Tonga 'Ikale Tahi Sea Eagles
Turkey Ay Yıldızlar meaning The Crescent Stars
Turks & Caicos Islands The Flamingos
Uganda The Rugby Cranes
Ukraine Cossacks
Uruguay Los Teros Named for their emblem.
USA The Eagles Named for their emblem and national symbol
Vanuatu Tuskers
Venezuela Orquideas
Virgin Islands Green Machine
Wales Dragons also 'ostrich feathers'?
Zimbabwe The Sables

[rowan]

Not sure if there's anything new here, aside from the addition of the women's teams, but here's an updated list:

National teams nicknames
Algeria Les Lionceaux meaning "The Lion Cubs"
American Samoa Talavalu
Andorra Els Isards
Argentina Los Pumas (Pumas) The Argentina team is called Los Pumas because of the animal depicted as the team's emblem. However, that animal is actually a jaguar (ayaguareté) and not a puma!
Australia Wallabies A wallaby is a small kangaroo
Austria Steinböcke a Ibex or alpine mountain goat
Barbados Bajans
Belgium Zwarte Duivels meaning Black Devils in Dutch. Also Diables Noirs (black devils in French)
Botswana The Vultures
Brazil Os Tupis Tupis are the main ethnic group of Brazilian indigenous people.
Brunei Leopards
Burundi Intawamba meaning lions
Burkina Faso Etalions
Cambodia Koupreys meaning Buffalos
Cameroon Indomitable Lions "Les Lions Indomptables"
Canada Canucks or Maple Leafs Canucks is a slang term for Canadians
Catalonia El XV de la ginesta
Cayman Islands Turtles
Chad Les Sao
Chile Los Cóndores The Condors
Colombia Tucanos
Congo (Democratic Republic) Leopards
Congo (Republic) Diables Rouges
Costa Rica Ticos
Côte D'Ivoire Les Éléphants
Cyprus The Moufflons
Czech Republic Panthers
Denmark Danish Lions
El Salvador Los Torogoces Turquoise-browed Motmots
England Red and Whites The Red and Whites is not a commonly used name. It comes from the red and white playing strip. Also the Roses? A Fenchman notified me that in France the English team is called "Le 15 de la Rose" - literally: "The 15 of the Rose".
Ecuador Los Piqueros named after the bird
Fiji Bati (The Warriors) / Flying Fijians
France Le XV de France "Le XV de France" literally translates as "The 15 of France". France's team is also called les bleus (the blues) because of the color of their uniform, though "Les Bleus" is more of a generic name for all French national teams. Before their curent strip which is mostly blue, the French team played in blue shirts, white shorts, and red socks, the colors of the national flag, and were nicknamed "Les Tricolores". Also sometimes Le Coqs (the cockerels).
Georgia The Lelos The name comes from lelo, an indigenous Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try". One standard cheer of Georgian rugby union fans is Lelo, Lelo, Sakartvelo (Try, Try, Georgia). Another nickname that is sometimes used is "Men of Borjgali"
Greece I Ethniki which means "The National (team)"
Guatemala Jaguares
Honduras Orquideas (informally Baleadas, which is the national tortilla)
Hong Kong Dragons
Indonesia White Rhinos
Iran Team Melli
Ireland - Ireland do not commonly use a nickname. If anything, they would be called the shamrocks (it's the team's emblem)
Italy Gli Azzurri the same as their football (soccer) team and other Italian teams, a reference to their jersey color. Translates as "light blue or "azure".
Japan The Brave Blossoms Named after their emblem. The team was previously called the 'Cherry Blossoms'.
Kazakhstan The Nomads
Kenya The Simbas Simba is the Swahili word for Lion
Lebanon Phoenix The Phoenix is said to be the official bird of Lebanon and is often used to describe the capital city, Beirut, which has been destroyed on 7 different occasions and been rebuilt.
Madagascar Les Makis
Mali Les Hippos
Mauritania Les Oryxs
Malta The Rams
Mexico Serpientes meaning Snakes
Moldova Haiduci
Morocca Atlas Lions
Namibia Welwitschias The Welwitschias is a plant which is considered a living fossil and features on the country's coat of arms. (The team is aka Biltongboere).
Netherlands Oranje may also be The Impala's
New Zealand All Blacks black is the color of the New Zealand jersey
Niger Zebou
Nigeria Black Stallions
Niue Toa Niue
Pakistan The Greenshirts
Panama Diablos Rojos meaning Red Devils
Papua New Guinea The Pukpuks
Paraguay Los yacarés means the Alligators
Peru Los Tumis a ceremonial knife
Philippines Volcanoes
Poland Biało-czerwoni meaning white-reds
Portugal Os Lobos meaning The Wolves
Romania Oaks Named for their emblem.
Russia Bears
Rwanda Silverbacks
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Amazona Guildingii Name for the rare and graceful Vincentian Parrot.
Samoa (Western Samoa) Manu Samoa 'Manu Samoa' is the name of a famous Samoan chief/warrior some 10 generations ago.
Santa Lucia Zandolis
Scotland - Scotland do not commonly use a nickname, though sometimes they are called the thistle (it's their emblem)
Senegal Lions
Serbia Orlovi meaning eagles
Slovenia Encijani means The Gentians, because the crest of the Slovenia rugby union national team is a gentian, a blue flower
Solomon Islands Warriors
South Africa Springboks Also called Boks, or more correctly the Sprinbokke, or Bokke
Spain El XV Del León Named for the lion on their emblem.
Sri Lanka The brave Elephants / Tuskers
Swaziland Sizeze
Switzerland Edelweiss
Tanzania Twigas
Trinidad and Tobago The Calypso Warriors
Togo Eperviers meanig hawks
Tonga 'Ikale Tahi Sea Eagles
Turkey Ay Yıldızlar meaning The Crescent Stars
Turks & Caicos Islands The Flamingos
Uganda The Rugby Cranes
Ukraine Cossacks
Uruguay Los Teros Named for their emblem.
USA The Eagles Named for their emblem and national symbol
Vanuatu Tuskers
Venezuela Orquideas
Virgin Islands Green Machine
Wales Dragons also 'ostrich feathers'?
Zimbabwe The Sables

Combined Teams
The British and Irish Lions rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
The African Leopards an African rugby union representative team, organized by the Confederation of African Rugby

Women National Teams
Australia Wallaroos
Brazil Amazonas
England Red Roses
Finland Furies
New Zealand Black Ferns
Papua New Guinea The Palais
Samoa Manusina Samoa
Romania Ghindele meaning the Acorns
Rwanda Blackbacks
Uganda Lady Cranes
Zimbabwe Pangolins

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Ireland - Ireland do not commonly use a nickname. If anything, they would be called the shamrocks (it's the team's emblem)

I have known them to be called by some pithy nicknames in the past, but never the Shamrocks. The Useless Cunts featured prominently in the 90s.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Not sure if there's anything new here, aside from the addition of the women's teams, but here's an updated list:


Scotland - Scotland do not commonly use a nickname, though sometimes they are called the thistle (it's their emblem)

Likewise, never known them to be called this, although they have commonly been referred to as The Useless Jock Cunts to distinguish them from us. Over recent years they have been known more simply to we Irish as the Jock Cunts as they have made a shitty habit of turning us over in Edinburgh.

[rowan]

Yes, thus the sentence is in the second conditional, denoting an imaginary scenario.

[morepork]

The thistle!

Yo! Thistle!

[rowan]

Bit of a tongue-twister for the commentator, I'd say. Try saying 'the thistles' five times quickly."

[Stones of granite]

Not sure if there's anything new here, aside from the addition of the women's teams, but here's an updated list:


Scotland - Scotland do not commonly use a nickname, though sometimes they are called the thistle (it's their emblem)

Likewise, never known them to be called this, although they have commonly been referred to as The Useless Jock Cunts to distinguish them from us. Over recent years they have been known more simply to we Irish as the Jock Cunts as they have made a shitty habit of turning us over in Edinburgh.

Ireland - Ireland do not commonly use a nickname. If anything, they would be called the shamrocks (it's the team's emblem)

I have known them to be called by some pithy nicknames in the past, but never the Shamrocks. The Useless Cunts featured prominently in the 90s.

This is all very confusing, for the simple reason that Scotland are, of course referred to by us as The Useless Cunts and never Useless Jock Cunts, whereas the Irish are always referred to as one of Mick Cunts, Paddy Cunts, Boghopping Cunts or Tatty-munching Cunts, but never The Useless Cunts.

"The thistle"

hahahaha

[Which Tyler]

Has anyone other than Rowan ever heard of England being referred to as the "red and whites"?
Les Rosbif
Saes scum
Sassenach cunts
Orcs on Steroids
Lime bastards
Even red roses or all whites once or twice

But never "red and whites"

Equally, the Irish have surely always been the Mick's, the Scots are the jocks and the Welsh the taffs

[Stones of granite]

Has anyone other than Rowan ever heard of England being referred to as the "red and whites"?
Les Rosbif
Saes scum
Sassenach cunts
Orcs on Steroids
Lime bastards
Even red roses or all whites once or twice

But never "red and whites"

Equally, the Irish have surely always been the Mick's, the Scots are the jocks and the Welsh the taffs

Perhaps it's rhyming slang...

[rowan]

Just something I read but have never heard myself, actually.

Down Under they're simply known as the Poms - Prisoners Of her Majesty (and nothing to do with the French word for potatoes, as is sometimes claimed, which is why the French don't call the English Poms but the Antipodeans do)...

[morepork]

Where does he find this shit?

[OptimisticJock]

I assumed he just made it up. I've never heard anyone use the thistles

[Which Tyler]

Down Under they're simply known as the Poms - Prisoners Of her Majesty (and nothing to do with the French word for potatoes, as is sometimes claimed, which is why the French don't call the English Poms but the Antipodeans do)...

So many theories.
Prisoners of her Majesty & Prisoners of Mother England both ignore that the nickname predates the popularity of acronyms by several decades.
I'd never heard the theory that all these Aussies and kiwis were using a French term to come up with the nickname though.
Shortening of Pomegranates is by far the most realistic origin though, if a little boring.

[rowan]

Down Under they're simply known as the Poms - Prisoners Of her Majesty (and nothing to do with the French word for potatoes, as is sometimes claimed, which is why the French don't call the English Poms but the Antipodeans do)...

So many theories.
Prisoners of her Majesty & Prisoners of Mother England both ignore that the nickname predates the popularity of acronyms by several decades.
I'd never heard the theory that all these Aussies and kiwis were using a French term to come up with the nickname though.
Shortening of Pomegranates is by far the most realistic origin though, if a little boring.

Apparently the prison clothes had POHM printed on them, rather than full words. At least, that's what I've read - in many different sources, and I'd rate that by far the most common and plausible theory. No reason anyone would call the Poms pomegranates or potatoes in French that I can think of. Incidentally, pomegranate breaks down as 'potatoes with grains' and both the city of Granada and the hand-bomb grenade come from the latter word as well.

[rowan]

For the infantile ignoramuses aboard, Thistles has been used for 7s.

[OptimisticJock]

For the mongs aboard that's not the Scottish 7s team.

[Which Tyler]

No reason anyone would call the Poms pomegranates or potatoes in French that I can think of. Incidentally, pomegranate breaks down as 'potatoes with grains' and both the city of Granada and the hand-bomb grenade come from the latter word as well.

You can't think of any reason why a bunch of people with red faces would be named after red fruit? Not even one that more-or-less rhyme with "immigrant"?
Oh, and pomme isn't French for potatoes, it's French for apple.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

Has anyone other than Rowan ever heard of England being referred to as the "red and whites"?
Les Rosbif
Saes scum
Sassenach cunts
Orcs on Steroids
Lime bastards
Even red roses or all whites once or twice

But never "red and whites"

Equally, the Irish have surely always been the Mick's, the Scots are the jocks and the Welsh the taffs

Perhaps it's rhyming slang...

Shirley then they'd be the Currant Buns?

[SerjeantWildgoose]

For the mongs aboard that's not the Scottish 7s team.

It is A Scottish 7s team though. Give the man a crumb will ye?

[morepork]

Fuck me.

[Stones of granite]

Fuck me with a thistle.

FOC

[Mellsblue]

Another gem of a thread.

[Mellsblue]

Has anyone other than Rowan ever heard of England being referred to as the "red and whites"?
Les Rosbif
Saes scum
Sassenach cunts
Orcs on Steroids
Lime bastards
Even red roses or all whites once or twice

But never "red and whites"

Especially when you consider that traditionally the England kit is predominantly white and blue.

As we’re talking about nicknames, I do miss being called a Nigel by the inhabitants of the WMB.

[morepork]

What was that Nigel?

You POMEGRANATE.