The Art of Bracket Naming: A Fun-Loving Tribute to March Madness
March Madness is a spectacle of chaos, excitement, and unpredictability. The NCAA Tournament is a single-elimination gauntlet where upsets are as much a part of the game as buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories. While it’s easy to laugh off a busted bracket—after all, only one team can win it all—there’s no excuse for a lazy or uninspired bracket name. With a wealth of punnable team names, player monikers, and coaching legends to draw from, the possibilities are endless. This year, the creativity doesn’t disappoint, with a mix of clever wordplay, pop culture references, and heartfelt tributes. Let’s dive into the best of the 2025 bracket names for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, and maybe even pick up some inspiration for your own.
Men’s Bracket Names: A World of Puns and Jokes
The men’s bracket names are a masterclass in humor and creativity, blending player names, school pride, and pop culture into something truly special. For those rooting for Auburn, Ok, Broomer is a clever nod to star player Johni Broome, with a playful twist on the phrase “Okay, boomer.” On the other hand, Green Flaggs is a witty shoutout to Duke’s Cooper Flagg, urging fans to “swipe right” if he’s healthy and leading the charge. Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey gets his own tribute with Lipsey’s Hustle, a name that’s as much about the player as it is about the team’s relentless energy.
Texas A&M’s Buzz Williams takes center stage with Knuck If You Buzz, a fiery name that captures his intense, Lil Scrappy-esque passion. Kentucky fans, meanwhile, can pay homage to Otega Oweh with Let’s Get Oweh From It All, a fun-loving twist on the classic song lyric. UConn, a perennial powerhouse, gets two contrasting tributes: Yes, UConn for the believers and No, UConn’t for those who’ve watched the team’s ups and downs this season.
Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner is immortalized in Creighton for a Star to Fall, a celestial pun that’s as whimsical as it is memorable. Caleb Love, the Arizona guard, gets not one but two shoutouts: Caleb Love and Basketball (a nod to his impact on the court and our hearts) and Caleb Grillz, a cheeky reference to Missouri’s Caleb Grill and his gleaming smile. Clemson’s Chase Hunter and the Eastside Boyz are celebrated with Littlejohn and the Eastside Boyz, a name that imagines the team bringing hardware back to Littlejohn Coliseum.
Michigan State’s Tom Izzo gets a musical tribute in Frankie Fidler on the Roof, a playful nod to the classic Broadway show and the Spartans’ March Madness magic. Tennessee’s Jahmai Mashack is honored with Love (Ma)shack, a name that’s as much about his coolness on the court as it is about the team’s ability to upset Alabama. Houston’s LJ Cryer is celebrated in LJ Cryer and the Infinite Sadness, a name that channels the spirit of Smashing Pumpkins’ iconic song. Maryland’s Derik Queen gets his own clever shoutout with Queen’s Gambit, a chess-themed nod to his dominance on the court.
Marquette’s Kameron Jones is front and center in Kameron Presents…the (Golden) Diplomats, a name that doubles as a play on the team’s nickname and a possible nod to David Joplin’s resemblance to Juelz Santana. Silkk Da Shaka is another Marquette-inspired gem, blending the team’s star power with a playful reference to the Wakandan king. For Texas Tech fans, Toppin My Collar is a throwback to the early 2000s, celebrating JT Toppin and the team’s resurgence.
Florida’s Gators get their own shoutout with What Are You Doing in My Swamp?!, a fun reference to their dominance on the court and their ability to take down even the toughest opponents. St. John’s coach Rick Pitino is honored with Rick Pitino’s Bodega Corner, a name that captures his team’s takeover of New York basketball. Fans of Bill Walton can pay tribute with Throw it Down, Big Man, a nod to his legendary career and the dunk-filled excitement of the tournament. Finally, One Shining Moment is a heartfelt tribute to the late Greg Gumbel, whose iconic voice became synonymous with the tournament’s magic.
Women’s Bracket Names: Puns, Players, and Playful References
The women’s bracket names are just as imaginative and fun, with a mix of player shoutouts, school pride, and clever wordplay. USC’s JuJu Watkins takes center stage with Elementary, My Dear Watkins, a Sherlock Holmes-inspired name that paints her and the Trojans as the team to watch. JuJu Fruit is another playful nod to Watkins, celebrating her talent and the team’s appeal. UConn’s Paige Bueckers is celebrated with For Bueckers or Worse, a name that highlights her superstar status while giving a wink to her teammates Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd.
Geno Auriemma, UConn’s iconic coach, gets a quirky shoutout with For Auriemma, Forever Ago, a name that playfully asks if he knows who Bon Iver is—because, why not? UCLA’s Lauren Betts is highlighted in Place Your Betts, a name that’s as much about her potential to cash in on the court as it is about her standout performance in the Big Ten tournament. South Carolina and Dawn Staley are celebrated with Dawn and On, a name that pairs their pursuit of a fourth national title with a nod to Erykah Badu’s soulful sounds.
Te-Hina Paopao, the WNBA-bound Gamecock, gets her own futuristic tribute with Boom Boom Paopao, a name that channels the energy of her play and the vibe of the year 3008. TCU’s Hailey Van Lith is celebrated with The Van, The Lith, The Legend, a name that highlights her MVP performance in the Big 12 Tournament and her growing legacy. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo is honored with Hidalgo To Bed, a playful warning not to sleep on the Fighting Irish despite their late-season slump.
LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson is celebrated with Came Out a Beast, a name that captures her dominance on the boards and her skills in the recording booth. Texas’s Taylor Jones gets her own party anthem with Taylor Jones’ Block Party, a name that’s as much about her prowess in the frontcourt as it is about the excitement of the tournament. NC State’s Wes Moore is highlighted in Wes is Moore, a clever play on words that underscores his leadership as the ACC’s Coach of the Year.
Duke’s Kara Lawson is celebrated with Lawson’s Creek, a name that channels the nostalgia of the classic teen drama while acknowledging her team’s potential after their conference tournament title. Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers gets a retro shoutout with O.K., Sooner, a name that’s as much about her talent as it is about the fun of bringing back a little throwback energy.
Bracket Names as Art: Celebrating Creativity and Tradition
Bracket naming is an art form, blending humor, school pride, and cultural references into something uniquely special. These names aren’t just labels; they’re a way to express fandom, celebrate standout players, and tell a story. From the clever puns to the heartfelt tributes, this year’s bracket names are a testament to the creativity of college basketball fans.
Whether you’re rooting for a powerhouse like UConn or hoping for a Cinderella story from North Carolina, there’s a bracket name out there for you. Some names are direct shoutouts to players or coaches, while others are playful references to pop culture, music, or even punctuation (looking at you, The Parentheses Preferers). Whatever your style, the key is to have fun and let your bracket name reflect who you are as a fan.
From Last Year’s Legends to This Year’s Rising Stars
The 2025 bracket names also pay homage to the league’s legacy while shining a spotlight on this year’s breakout stars. Names like Throw it Down, Big Man and One Shining Moment are heartfelt tributes to basketball legends, reminding us of the tournament’s rich history. At the same time, players like JuJu Watkins, Hailey Van Lith, and Otega Oweh inspire fresh, creative names that celebrate their impact on the court.
This duality—honoring the past while embracing the present—is part of what makes March Madness so special. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, there’s something about the tournament that brings people together. And what better way to bond over basketball than with a clever bracket name?
The Fun of March Madness Naming
At its core, the art of bracket naming is a celebration of March Madness itself. It’s a chance to get creative, laugh, and connect with fellow fans over shared moments and memories. While the games are unpredictable and the stakes are high, the bracket names remind us that, at the end of the day, it’s all about enjoying the ride.
So whether you’re drafting your own bracket or just scrolling through the creativity of others, take a moment to appreciate the whimsy and joy behind these names. After all, March Madness isn’t just about basketball—it’s about the stories, the moments, and the communities that make it so unforgettable.
The bracket names of 2025 are a testament to the creativity, humor, and heart of college basketball fans. Whether you’re inspired by the men’s or women’s tournament, there’s no shortage of fun and clever options to make your bracket stand out. Now, the real question is: can you come up with something even better? The challenge is on!
