History Main / EgocentricTeamNaming

This is when someone names his team/group after himself. Sometimes Justified in that the Group Namer is the most famous member, but sometimes it's just a point of self aggrandizement. And sometimes it won't even be noticed by the namer.

Note this '''doesn't''' include "X and the Ys" names unless Y is very strongly related to X (and X is not an in-universe fictional name) which would be FaceOfTheBand, or instances like ''Film/TheMightyDucks'' where they named the team after someone else (in that case, to get that someone to sponsor them).

* In ''{{Manga/Beck}}'', when the main characters are trying to come up with a name for their band, lead guitarist Ryuusuke spends a moment on the floor writing ideas. When he's finished, he holds it up proudly, and every suggestion contains his name, like [[Music/JimiHendrix "The Ryuusuke Experience"]] and so on. Of course, no-one was impressed, though the fangirls that hang around them were amused.
* ''Manga/DragonBall'': The Ginyu Force, named after Captain Ginyu.
* In ''Manga/OnePiece'', the group of pirates the series follows is called the Straw Hat Pirates, even though Luffy, the captain, is the only one who wears a straw hat. This goes for most other pirates, who are either named after the captain (Whitebeard Pirates, Kidd Pirates, Buggy Pirates) or an attribute of the captain that no other crewmember has (Spade Pirates, Red-Haired Pirates, Firetank Pirates). Less often, a pirate crew has a name that actually covers the whole crew rather than just the captain.
* ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'': Haruhi's SOS Brigade doesn't look like this... until you expand the acronym and find that the second S stands for Suzumiya.

* Shinta Fukuda from ''{{Manga/Bakuman}}'' likes to refer to the group of mangaka protagonists trying to get published as "Team Fukuda". He first tried to go for "Team Niizuma" after the fact that, albeit quickly, he, Mashiro and Nakai worked under Niizuma, but quickly changes it to the current form when talking to Mashiro on the phone.

* Mr. Fantastic named the Comicbook/FantasticFour and himself simultaneously. Their EvilCounterpart, the U-Foes, are named after the member whose idea it was to get bombarded with cosmic rays in the first place: Simon Utrecht, alias Vector. It's important to note, though, that this was Ironclad's idea.

* Among the New X-Men groups, one member was codenamed Hellion, and the team advisor chose the name... the Hellions. A different member lampshades this: "Hey, did we just become Hellion and the Hellions?"
* ''MrT and the T-Force''

** Archie named his rock 'n' roll group "The Archies". You'd think Reggie (if no-one else) would have a problem with that.

* Would you believe that the [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Incorruptibly Purely Pure]] and [[HumbleHero Humble]] {{Franchise/Superman}} has ''TWO?!'' Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to [[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Superman_Family#Team_Superman Team Superman]] and [[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Supermen_of_America_II The Supermen of America]].

* ''CasinoRoyale1967'': Once Film/JamesBond becomes head of MI6 after the previous M gets offed, the very first thing he does is rename ''all'' his agents, male ''and'' female, James Bond 007 as a ploy to confuse the enemy.

* Invoked in ''{{HarryPotter/Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}'': When Harry's secret group of students was caught and brought before the headmaster, Dumbledore claimed responsibility for the whole thing, noting how their charter specifically read "Dumbledore's Army, not ''Potter's'' Army".

* In ''{{Series/Angel}}'', there's Angel Investigations, and when he leaves, the group all try to name the group after themselves, but decide to keep the original name.

* In ''{{Series/Monk}}'', Randy Disher's garage rock band was called "The Randy Disher Project".

** Sheldon tries to get Leonard's app development team to name the app after himself, twice. The first time Sheldon uses [[FunWithAcronyms an acronym]] and the second time he spells [[SdrawkcabName his name backward]].
** In another episode the guys team up to help Sheldon get over his fear of public speaking, comparing themselves to the X-Men. Sheldon thinks that "Since I am Sheldon Cooper, you shall be my [[InnocentInnuendo C-Men]]."
* ''{{Series/Friends}}'':

'''Monica:''' Okay, we'll think of a name later.
* ''Series/TheColbertReport'': StephenColbert mocked this, claiming to have had a band in the eighties called "Stephen and the Colberts".

* Music/BonJovi, named after lead singer Jon Bon Jovi. ''{{SNL}}'' did a sketch about this.
* Music/VanHalen, named after [[BandOfRelatives brothers]] Eddie (lead guitar) and Alex (drums)
* Daughtry, formed and fronted by ''AmericanIdol'' season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry.
* Music/AliceCooper.
* Dio (Music/RonnieJamesDio et al.)
* Music/MeatLoaf Soul aka just Meat Loaf.
* Maybe Music/MarilynManson.
* {{Music/Santana}}, named after lead guitarist Carlos Santana.

* Music/TheBeatles used in their early years both "[[Music/JohnLennon Johnny]] and the Moondogs" and "Long John and the Silvermen" (referencing [[TreasureIsland Long John Silver]]).
* Music/BenFoldsFive (a trio)
* Music/SelenaGomez and The Scene. Note that "The Scene" part comes from the fact that Selena has been called a "[[http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/08/13/selena-gomez/ wannabe scene]]" and thus ONLY refers to Selena. Selena actually wanted to form a band with a band identity, a la {{Music/Paramore}}; [[ExecutiveMeddling it was her label]] that wanted her name in the group's name.

* Semi-example: The [[{{UsefulNotes/AmericanFootball}} Cleveland Browns]] were named after their first coach, Paul Brown, after a "name the team" contest. Brown himself preferred the name "Panthers", but someone else already had the rights to the name "Cleveland Panthers".
* The [[{{UsefulNotes/Basketball}} Charlotte Bobcats]] were named after their owners Robert "Bob" Jackson.
* The [[{{UsefulNotes/NationalHockeyLeague}} New York Rangers]] are so named because its founder was "Tex" Rickard, leading to the nickname "Tex's Rangers".

* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'', unless you go with the "Mario Mario and Luigi Mario" explanation.

** It should be noted that ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'' called Team Sonic "Team Hero" instead. It's likely that the change was due to the ''game'' being called Sonic ''Heroes'', so calling one team "Team Hero" would leave people wondering. Later, [[VideoGame/SonicRiders Free Riders]] [[FlipFlopOfGod would change the name back to Team Hero.]]
* In ''StarControlII'', there's a part where you can pick the name of your new coalition. Options include "The New Alliance of Free Stars", "The Concordance of Alien Nations", "The United Federation of Worlds" and "The Empire of (Insert your name here)". Hayes is a bit put off if you choose the Empire of Me option, but goes along with it.
* This is the basic premise of ''VideoGame/MarioParty 2''. The Mario characters create a new world that is initially named Mario Land, but each one wants to name the world after himself or herself, so they have a contest to determine who gets to name it.

* From ''Space Tree'' episode "Allon's Crib", where Allon is replaced in his trio:

'''Allon:''' What the hell? How come you're named after him?

** ''Schlock Mercenary'' revolves around a band of mercenaries, "Tagon's Toughs", led by Kaff Tagon. At the group's formation, there's a three-way argument between people who want to name the group for themselves, but Tagon wins out because he's already gotten the business cards printed.

** In the episode where they form a band, Sheen proposes the name "Sheen and the Sheenettes".
* GIJoe's original founding member was Lt. (later General) Joseph Colton -- code name GIJOE.

* ''{{WesternAnimation/Wakfu}}''
** When trying to come up with a name for their FiveManBand, Sadlygrove and [[TalkingWeapon Rubilax]] suggest "The Brotherhood of Grovy" and "Rubi and Fools", respectively. They eventually settle for "The Brotherhood of the Tofu", after the TeamPet.

* Music/TheBeatles used in their early years both "[[Music/JohnLennon Johnny]] and the Moondogs" and "Long John and the Silvermen" (referencing [[[TreasureIsland Long John Silver]]).

* In ''WesternAnimation/Beetlejuice]], spoiled AlphaBitch Claire names her band "Claire and the Claire-inettes."

* ''CasinoRoyale 1967'': Once JamesBond becomes head of MI6 after the previous M gets offed, the very first thing he does is rename ''all'' his agents, male ''and'' female, James Bond 007 as a ploy to confuse the enemy.

* ''Casino Royale 1967'': Once JamesBond becomes head of MI6 after the previous M gets offed, the very first thing he does is rename ''all'' his agents, male ''and'' female, James Bond 007 as a ploy to confuse the enemy.

* Music/VanHalen, named after brothers Eddie (lead guitar) and Alex (drums)

* For a very short time Music/TheBeatles went by the name "Long [[Music/JohnLennon John]] and the Silvermen", like Long John Silver from ''TreasureIsland''.

* Semi-example: The Cleveland Browns were named after their first coach, Paul Brown, after a "name the team" contest. Brown himself preferred the name "Panthers", but someone else already had the rights to the name "Cleveland Panthers".

* Actually called out in the SlyCooper games. In the third game, the main villain Dr. M accuses Sly of thinking himself better than his teammates. Sly denies this, saying that he and his team are equals. M retorts that if that's true, then why are they called the Cooper Gang?

** It should be noted the SonicAdventure2 called Team Sonic "Team Heroes" instead. It's likely that the change was due to the ''game'' being called Sonic ''Heroes'', so calling one team "Team Heroes" would leave people wondering. Later, [[SonicRiders Free Riders]] [[FlipFlopOfGod would change the name back to Team Heroes.]]

* In a similar fashion to the above, [[Music/MarinaAndTheDiamonds]] is often mistaken for this. The "Diamonds" part refers to her fans.

* ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' gives us Team Sonic and Team Rose. Averted by Team Dark and Team Chaotix.

!!Examples:

[[AC:{{Anime}} & {{Manga}}]]
* In ''{{Beck}}'', when the main characters are trying to come up with a name for their band, lead guitarist Ryuusuke spends a moment on the floor writing ideas. When he's finished, he holds it up proudly, and every suggestion contains his name, like [[JimiHendrix "The Ryuusuke Experience"]] and so on. Of course, no one was impressed, though the fangirls that hang around them were amused.
* ''DragonBall'': The Ginyu Force, named after Captain Ginyu.
* In ''OnePiece'', the group of pirates the series follows is called the Straw Hat Pirates, even though Luffy, the captain, is the only one who wears a straw hat. This goes for most other pirates, who are either named after the captain (Whitebeard Pirates, Kidd Pirates, Buggy Pirates) or an attribute of the captain that no other crewmember has (Spade Pirates, Red-Haired Pirates, Firetank Pirates). Less often, a pirate crew has a name that actually covers the whole crew rather than just the captain.
* [[SuzumiyaHaruhi Haruhi]]'s SOS Brigade doesn't look like this... until you expand the acronym and find that the second S stands for Suzumiya.
* In ''AzumangaDaioh'', Yukari has the class separate into two teams for a game of dodge-ball. Naturally, she's the leader of one of the teams, named "Team Yukari".
* ShamanKing has Ren's team - which he named Team 'The Ren'.
* Shinta Fukuda from ''{{Bakuman}}'' likes to refer to the group of mangaka protagonists trying to get published as "Team Fukuda". He first tried to go for "Team Niizuma" after the fact that, albeit quickly, he, Mashiro and Nakai worked under Niizuma, but quickly changes it to the current form when talking to Mashiro on the phone.

[[AC:ComicBooks]]
* Mr. Fantastic named Comicbook/FantasticFour and himself simultaneously.
** Their EvilCounterpart, the U-Foes, are named after the member whose idea it was to get bombarded with cosmic rays in the first place: Simon Utrecht, alias Vector. It's important to note, though, that this was Ironclad's idea.
* Professor X, The XMen (denied in-universe, but c'mon...)

* {{Archie}} named his rock 'n' roll group "The Archies." You'd think Reggie (if no one else) would have a problem with that.
** Also from ArchieComics, ''That Wilkin Boy'' featured Bingo's band the Bingoes, who were just [[{{Expy}} Expies]] of the Archies.
* ''BlueDevil Annual #1'' had several supernatural-themed characters team up. At the end, the Creeper suggests they be a regular team called "The Creeper's Spirit Squad". Which everyone thinks "the '''stupidest''' idea I've ever heard!".
* Among the New XMen groups, one member was codenamed Hellion, and the team advisor chose the name... the Hellions. A different member lampshades this: "Hey, did we just become Hellion and the Hellions?"
* Would you believe that the [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Incorruptibly Purely Pure]] and [[HumbleHero Humble]] {{Superman}} has ''TWO?!'' Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to [[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Superman_Family#Team_Superman Team Superman]] and [[http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Supermen_of_America_II The Supermen of America]].

[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* ''CasinoRoyale 1967'': Once JamesBond becomes head of MI6 after the previous M gets offed, the very first thing he does is rename ''all'' his agents, male ''and'' female, James Bond 007 as a ploy to confuse the enemy.

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]
* Invoked in ''HarryPotter/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': When Harry's secret group of students was caught and brought before the headmaster, Dumbledore claimed responsibility for the whole thing, noting how their charter specifically read "Dumbledore's Army, not ''Potter's'' Army".

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* In ''Series/{{Angel}}'', there's Angel Investigations, and when he leaves, the group all try to name the group after themselves, but decide to keep the original name.
* A somewhat similar bit occurs in ''HappyDays'' after Arnold's burns down, and Al & Fonzie are preparing to reopen. (Fonzie has invested his life savings.) Al wants to call the new establishment Big Al's, and Fonzie wants to call it Fonzie's. The finally compromise and call it...Arnold's.

* In ''{{Monk}}'', Randy Disher's garage rock band was called "The Randy Disher Project".
* ''TheBigBangTheory'': Sheldon tries to get Leonard's app development team to name the app after himself, twice. The first time Sheldon uses [[FunWithAcronyms an acronym]] and the second time he spells [[SdrawkcabName his name backward]].

* ''{{Friends}}'':
-->'''Monica:''' Go, Team Monica!
-->''murderous glares''
-->'''Monica:''' Okay, we'll think of a name later.
* [[TheColbertReport Colbert]] mocked this, claiming to have had a band in the eighties called "Stephen and the Colberts".
* This trend is the source of humor in the ''KidsInTheHall'' sketch about the three-man garage band "Rod Torkelson's Armada Featuring Herman Menderchuk".

[[AC:{{Music}}]]

* Dio (RonnieJamesDio et al.)

* Music/{{Santana}}, named after lead guitarist Carlos Santana.
* Bill Haley and his Comets (cf. Halley's Comet)
* For a very short time Music/TheBeatles went by the name "Long [[JohnLennon John]] and the Silvermen", like Long John Silver from ''TreasureIsland''.

* SelenaGomez and The Scene. Note that "The Scene" part comes from the fact that Selena has been called a "[[http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/08/13/selena-gomez/ wannabe scene]]" and thus ONLY refers to Selena. Selena actually wanted to form a band with a band identity, a la {{Paramore}}; [[ExecutiveMeddling it was her label]] that wanted her name in the group's name.

[[AC:Sports]]

* The [[{{Basketball}} Charlotte Bobcats]] were named after their owners Robert "Bob" Jackson.

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* ''SuperMarioBros'', unless you go with the "Mario Mario and Luigi Mario" explanation.

* This is the basic premise of ''MarioParty 2''. The Mario characters create a new world that is initially named Mario Land, but each one wants to name the world after himself or herself, so they have a contest to determine who gets to name it.
* Attempted but failed by {{Deadpool}} in ''MarvelUltimateAlliance'', who attempts to name the team "Deadpool and His Lackeys!"
* Various team names in the ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' series invoke this. For example [[FireEmblemElibe Lyndis' Legion]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius The Greil Mercenaries]].
** Interestingly the Greil Mercenaries kept that name even after they changed leadership.

[[AC:WebAnimation]]

-->'''pinkfrosting88:''' You see, Reginald is too valuable to our trio. Plus, he finally named us.
-->'''Reginald:''' That's right. Say hello to The Reginalds.
-->'''Allon:''' What the hell? How come you're named after him?

[[AC:{{Webcomics}}]]
* This early ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' [[http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20000618.html strip]].

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* In the ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' episode "The Drill", [[DitzyGenius Sokka]] sees the Earth Kingdom's "Terra Team" gains a minor obsession with giving his own group a cool name. While he knows to name it after [[TheMessiah Aang]] instead of himself, one idea he tries to justify like this - "The Boomer-Aang Gang"--is named after his ''own'' weapon.
** Their FanNickname is "The [[JustForPun Gaang]]."
* In ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'', Jade names their group of allies "the J-Team" (which sticks). It's ''ostensibly'' after ''Jackie'', but...
** When Finn, Ratso, and Chow finally get fed up with just being treated as mooks all the time, Finn decides to form his own gang with them, but he can NEVER settle on any suitable name, most of them all involving or inspired by his name somewhere in it.
* When Jimmy and his friends gain superpowers due to cosmic radiation in ''JimmyNeutron'', he immediately calls them the "N-Men" (as in Neutron Men), despite a couple of protests.

* GIJoe's original founding member was Lt. (later General) Joseph Colton -code name GIJOE.

* In ''PhineasAndFerb: Summer Belongs To You!'', Dr. Doofenshmirtz tries this after hitching a ride from his enemies:
-->'''Doofenshmirtz:''' Woohoo! Team Doofenshmirtz, ho! ''(Perry and Monogram glare.)'' What? Like I'm going to let ''you'' name the team? [[GovernmentAgencyOfFiction Organization]] [[FunWithAcronyms Without a Cool Acronym]]?
* When trying to come up with a name for the FiveManBand of ''{{Wakfu}}'', Sadlygrove and [[TalkingWeapon Rubilax]] suggest "The Brotherhood of Grovy" and "Rubi and Fools", respectively (they eventually settle for "The Brotherhood of the Tofu", after the TeamPet).

-->'''Justice Knight:''' We're gonna form a close and powerful group aiming to capture Anathar. And we will call it...[[LargeHam THE JUSTICE CLIQUE]]!

* Invoked in ''HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix'': When Harry's secret group of students was caught and brought before the headmaster, Dumbledore claimed responsibility for the whole thing, noting how their charter specifically read "Dumbledore's Army, not ''Potter's'' Army".

* In the ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'' episode "The Drill", [[DitzyGenius Sokka]] sees the Earth Kingdom's "Terra Team" gains a minor obsession with giving his own group a cool name. While he knows to name it after [[TheMessiah Aang]] instead of himself, one idea he tries to justify like this - "The Boomer-Aang Gang"--is named after his ''own'' weapon.

* In ''{{Angel}}'', there's Angel Investigations, and when he leaves, the group all try to name the group after themselves, but decide to keep the original name.

* AzumangaDaioh
-->'''Yukari''': Yukari team!
-->'''Osaka''': Sea Slug team!
-->'''Kaorin''': Why Sea Slug team?
-->'''Osaka''': Sea Slug team!
-->'''Kaorin''': (weakly) Yay.

* Various team names in the ''FireEmblem'' series invoke this. For example [[FireEmblemElibe Lyndis' Legion]] and [[FireEmblemTellius The Greil Mercenaries]].

* Music/{{Santana}} ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santana_%28band%29 the band]])

* BonJovi, named after lead singer Jon Bon Jovi. ''{{SNL}}'' did a sketch about this.
* VanHalen, named after brothers Eddie (lead guitar) and Alex (drums)

* MeatLoaf Soul aka just Meat Loaf.
* Maybe MarilynManson
* Santana ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santana_%28band%29 the band]])

* For a very short time TheBeatles went by the name "Long [[JohnLennon John]] and the Silvermen", like Long John Silver from ''TreasureIsland''.
* Ben Folds Five (a trio)
* SelenaGomez and The Scene. Note that "The Scene" part comes from the fact that Selena has been called a "[[http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/08/13/selena-gomez/ wannabe scene]]" and thus ONLY refers to Selena.
** Selena actually wanted to form a band with a band identity, a la {{Paramore}}; [[ExecutiveMeddling it was her label]] that wanted her name in the group's name.

* Mr. Fantastic named TheFantasticFour and himself simultaneously.

* In ''JackieChanAdventures'', Jade names their group of allies "the J-Team" (which sticks). It's ''ostensibly'' after ''Jackie'', but...

* In the ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'' episode "The Drill", Sokka sees the Earth Kingdom's "Terra Team" gains a minor obsession with giving his own group a cool name. While he knows to name it after Aang instead of himself, one idea he tries to justify like this - "The Boomer-Aang Gang" - is named after his ''own'' weapon.
* In ''JackieChanAdventures'', Jade names their group of allies "the J-Team" (which sticks). It's ''ostensibly'' after ''Jackie'', but....

* ''SonicHeroes'' gives us Team Sonic and Team Rose. Averted by Team Dark and Team Chaotix.

* AliceCooper.