What Are The Browns Named After

The Browns Are Named After a Person, Not a Color

Most people think the Cleveland Browns are named after the color brown. Because of that, that's the easy assumption. Brown is right there in the name, after all. But here's the thing — the team was named after a person*. Because of that, paul Brown. The legendary coach and founder of the franchise.

It's one of those facts that sounds too straightforward to be true, but it is. On the flip side, the team isn't "the Browns" because brown is a common color in football. It's because Paul Brown was the man who built the whole operation from scratch in the late 1940s.

And honestly? In real terms, it’s a little awkward. You don't hear many other NFL teams named after their founder. The Packers are named after a meatpacking company. In real terms, the 49ers are named after a gold rush. But the Browns? They're named after a dude.

What the Browns Are Actually Named After

The Cleveland Browns are named after Paul Brown, the team's original head coach and general manager. He founded the franchise in 1946 when the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) was looking to establish a team in Cleveland. Brown had already made a name for himself as a significant coach at Ohio State and later at the University of Michigan.

When the AAFC launched, Brown was one of the first coaches signed. He was given the authority to build the team from the ground up — scouting, drafting, hiring assistants, everything. The franchise was originally going to be called the "Cleveland Rams," but that name was already taken by the NFL team in Los Angeles (which would later move back to Cleveland in 1999 as the St. Louis Rams, then return to L.A. as the Rams again).

So they went with "Browns" — simple, direct, and a tribute to the man running the show. Paul Brown was that guy. He was the architect, the coach, the face of the franchise. Naming the team after him felt natural at the time, even if it sounds strange today.

Why It Matters That the Team Is Named After a Person

This isn't just a trivia fact. It speaks to how deeply personal football franchises used to be. Paul Brown didn't just coach the team — he was the team. On top of that, he controlled every aspect of operations. He drafted players, negotiated contracts, designed plays, and even had a hand in marketing decisions.

In that context, naming the team after him makes sense. Think about it: he was the product. Now, he was the brand. He was the reason people came to watch.

But it also created a weird situation. That's exactly what happened in 1962, when Brown was fired after a dispute with the team's ownership. The name stays, but the person doesn't. And what happens when Paul Brown is no longer with the team? The team kept the name, but the man who gave it meaning was gone.

How the Naming Came About

The story goes that when the AAFC was forming teams, the Cleveland ownership group needed a name. They considered several options, including "Rams" and "Steamrollers," but nothing stuck. Paul Brown himself reportedly suggested "Browns" — not because he loved the color, but because it was his last name.

At the time, this wasn't unusual. Still, many early football teams were named after their coaches or owners. The Chicago Bears were originally the Decatur Staleys, named after their owner, George Halas. The Green Bay Packers were named after the Indian Packing Company that sponsored them.

But what is unusual is that the Browns kept the name even after Paul Brown left. Most teams that are named after people eventually change names when the person is no longer involved. The Browns didn't. The name became bigger than the man.

Common Mistakes People Make About the Name

The biggest mistake is assuming the Browns are named after the color. Day to day, it's such a natural assumption that even some lifelong fans get it wrong. They'll say things like "Oh, the Browns are named after brown, like the color of their uniforms.

But the team's original uniforms weren't even brown. And the team wasn't named brown because of the uniforms — it was the other way around. They were orange and brown, yes, but the brown was a secondary color. The primary color was orange. The uniforms were designed to match the name.

Another common mistake is thinking the name is unique. Because of that, it's not. There are other teams named after people — the Sacramento Kings (named after a former mayor), the New Orleans Saints (named after a song), and the Pittsburgh Pirates (named after a baseball team). But none of them are named after their founder in quite the same way.

For more on this topic, read our article on what was the first dr seuss book or check out how tall was the tower of babel.

What Actually Works When Explaining the Name

If you're trying to explain the name to someone who doesn't know the story, start with the person. Paul Brown was a revolutionary coach who won seven championships in his first ten years as head coach. He was the face of the franchise, the reason the team existed.

Then explain the naming. Even so, when the team was founded, it made sense to name it after the guy who was building it. He was the star, the leader, the identity of the team.

And finally, acknowledge the awkwardness. In real terms, today, it sounds strange to have a team named after a person who isn't the owner or the current coach. Paul Brown was the team. But in 1946, it was perfectly normal. The team was Paul Brown.

Practical Tips for Remembering the Story

Here's a trick: think of it like a high school team named after its star quarterback. The quarterback is the face of the team, the reason people come to watch, the identity of the program. That's how Paul Brown was to the Cleveland Browns.

Another way to remember it: the team wasn't named "Browns" because brown is a common color. Think about it: it was named "Browns" because Paul Brown was the founder. The color came later.

And if you're ever in a bar arguing about this with someone who insists the team is named after the color, just ask them one question: "Why would a football team be named after a color?" It's a ridiculous concept when you think about it. Teams are named after animals, places, people, and concepts — not colors.

FAQ

Why are the Cleveland Browns named after a person instead of a color?

The team was founded in 1946 by Paul Brown, who was the head coach and general manager. When the franchise needed a name, Brown himself suggested "Browns" as a tribute to his own legacy with the team.

Was Paul Brown the only person the team could have been named after?

No, but he was the most logical choice. He was the founder, the coach, and the driving force behind the franchise. Other names were considered, including "Rams," but "Browns" won out because it honored the man who built the team.

Do any other NFL teams have similar naming stories?

Not exactly. Most NFL teams are named after animals, places, or concepts. Here's the thing — the Green Bay Packers are named after their original sponsor, but that's about as close as it gets. The Browns are unique in being named directly after their founder and head coach.

Did Paul Brown ever object to having the team named after him?

There's no record of him objecting. Because of that, in fact, he seemed to embrace it. He was proud of what he had built in Cleveland and was happy to have his name associated with the franchise.

Will the Browns ever change their name?

It's unlikely. The name has been part of the franchise for over 75 years, and while it sounds strange today, it’s deeply rooted in the team’s history. Changing it would feel like erasing a significant part of the franchise’s identity.

The Name That Defied Logic

Looking back, naming a football team after its coach was always a little unusual. But Paul Brown wasn't just any coach — he was a pioneer who changed the game. He invented the modern passing offense, developed the first scouting system, and won more championships than any other coach in professional football history.

The name stuck because the man was bigger than the team. Even after he left, even after decades of mediocrity, the name remained. It became a symbol of what the franchise once was, and what it hoped to be again.

And that’s why the Browns aren’t named after a color. They’re named after a legend. That's the part that actually makes a difference.