Weird and Wonderful NFL Names That Will Leave You Mesmerized

Get ready to be amazed and amused. Check out our list of the weirdest names in the NFL that are quirky and seriously impressive!

Founded in 1920, the NFL in 2023 consists of 32 teams with 54 players on each active roster. So, doing some quick math, more than 1,700 players dressed during the season. We cite these statistics because, over time, we’ve seen plenty of names that keep broadcasters up at night when they inevitably need to pronounce them live, on the spot, during the game. There are some weird names in the NFL.

Now, this isn’t to make fun of anyone’s name. In fact, we’re mesmerized by them because some, as you’ll see, are incredibly impressive. That said, we cannot imagine being them as a kid needing to write their name on a spelling test or a school receptionist calling them to the office over the loudspeaker.

Below, we have 12 players’ names, including three from the 2023 NFL Draft, that are quirky, weird, hilarious, and simply nothing more than cool to say and read.

The Weirdest NFL Names of All-Time

Let’s dive in. You’re in for a ride here.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OG, Detroit Lions

Pronunciation: hal-lah-poo-lee-VAH-tee VIE-tie

Drafted in the fifth round (No. 164 overall) in the 2016 draft to the Philadelphia Eagles, Vaitai has played in 80 games and started 45 of those. He played for the Eagles from 2016-2019 before signing with the Detroit Lions in 2020 on a five-year, $45 million contract with $20 million guaranteed.

In March 2023, Vaitai agreed to cut his salary from $9.4 million to just $1.21 million. During his time with the Lions, Vaitai has landed on injured reserve twice—in 2020 and 2022. He’s been an average-to-below-average guard in both pass and run blocking.

Captain Munnerlyn, CB, Retired

Pronunciation: mun-ner-linn

While not a hard name to pronounce, really, we had to throw Captain on this list simply because, well, his name is Captain.

Munnerlyn last appeared in the NFL in 2019 with the Buffalo Bills but was cut before the start of the season. In his last NFL action, Munnerlyn played for the Panthers. He played 63- snaps and had two sacks and one interception. Over his career, Munnerlyn had 12 picks and is viewed as an average but dependable cornerback.

He made over $12 million in guaranteed dollars since being drafted in 2009.

Babatunde Oluwasegun Temitope Oluwakorede Adisa Oshinowo, Jr, DT, Retired

Pronunciation: Ba-ba-TOON-day Ah-Lo-Uh-Suh-Goon Tema-tope Oh-Lu-Wa-Core-Eed Uh-Dee-Suh OH-shi-no-who

Possibly the most unusual NFL name.

Known as “Baba,” he was active for just three NFL games and recorded two tackles in 2006. After that, he bounced around various practice squads for the Chicago Bears, the then-Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers.

The Browns drafted Baba in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Stanford.

This is perhaps the most weirdly insane name we’ll ever see in the NFL. Nothing can top this.

Younghoe Koo, K, Atlanta Falcons

Pronunciation: Young-hway KOO

I know what you’re thinking when you initially read his name, but it’s not pronounced like that, OK?

It’s pronounced like “Young Way,” but with a slight “h” in front of “way.”

Regardless, Koo has been a reliable kicker in the NFL and is currently with the Falcons.

Since coming into the league in 2017, Koo is 120-of-126 on extra points, 35-of-35 on field goals of 20-29 yards, 36-of-38 from 30-39 yards, 31-of-39 on kicks from 40-49 yards, and 20-of-25 from 50+ yards.

Koo was cut in his rookie season with the Chargers and was just 1-of-4 on kicks of 40-49 yards. He didn’t play in the NFL in 2018 but did play for the Atlanta Legends in the AAF. He then returned to the NFL, signing with the New England Patriots practice squad on October 4, 2019, was released on October 15, and then joined the Falcons. He’s been with them since.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins

Pronunciation: Too-AH Tag-Uh-Vy-Low-Uh

Drafted No. 5 overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2020, Tagovailoa has already built quite the resume from his days in college with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was a College Football National Champion in 2017, and in the NFL, he’s thrown for more than 8,000 passing yards and had 52 touchdown passes.

During the 2022-23 season, Tagovailoa missed extensive time due to multiple concussions, leaving some to wonder if he’d ever play again.

On March 20, 2023, the Dolphins picked up the lefty signal caller’s fifth-year option.

Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Miami Dolphins

Pronunciation: Ig-Bin-Og-In-Ee

Tagovailoa’s teammate, Igbinoghene, was a fellow 2020 first-round draft pick by the Dolphins, going 30th overall.

However, in his brief career, Igbinoghene has had limited success. He’s played just 602 snaps across three seasons, has one interception, and has allowed six touchdowns.

Hamsah Nasrildeen, LB, New York Jets

Pronunciation: Haam-Suh Naz-Rill-Dean

Drafted 186th overall in the sixth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Nasrildeen has had limited playing time. Over two seasons, he’s played just 67 snaps, with 60 of those coming in 2021.

Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Dallas Cowboys

Pronunciation: Oh-Suh Oh-Diggy-Zoo-Wuh

A third-round draft pick from the 2021 class, Odighizuwa played college football at UCLA.

After a rough first season with the Cowboys, Odighizuwa somewhat bounced back in his sophomore season, performing well as a pass rusher. He had five sacks and 38 total pressure in 2022.

Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Denver Broncos

Pronunciation: OH-kwoo-AY-boo-nahm

A fourth-round draft pick in 2020, “Albert O” was on a path to be the next big tight end receiving option for the team since Julius Thomas. However, he hasn’t really been able to get anything going, with career stats of 54 receptions, 546 yards, and four touchdowns.

The team has since drafted Greg Dulcich as their lead tight end.

NFL Draft 2023 Weirdest Names

There’s space for some more unusual names in the league. Thankfully, the 2023 NFL Draft has got us covered.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State

Pronunciation: Anne-Oo-Dee-Kay-U-Zom-Ah

Viewed as a potential back-end-of-the-first-round or top-of-the-second-round draft pick in 2023, Anudike-Uzomah has a name that we’re familiar with, with C.J. Uzomah playing tight end for the Jets.

Anudike-Uzomah had 21 sacks over the last two seasons. While he’s not the most elite athlete at the position, Anudike-Uzomah receives plenty of praise for his “toolbox” of pass-rushing skills. He truly understands the position.

Adetomiwa Adeboware, EDGE, Northwestern

Pronunciation: Ad-eh-tom-yiwa Ad-eh-BAR-ay

Coming out of Northwestern, Adeboware is viewed similarly to Anudike-Uzomah in terms of his projected draft range.

He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and should be considered a “tweener.”

This means he’s a bit too small for an edge rusher but too light to be an interior player. He’ll receive more playing time on the edge and is viewed highly for his power at the position, despite his lack of prototypical measurables.

Last but Not Least Weird NFL Name: Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan

Pronunciation: Alloo-Shuh-Goon Alloo-wa-timmy

A projected fourth-round pick by Pro Football Focus in the 2023 NFL Draft, Oluwatimi didn’t allow a sack in 2022 across 918 snaps. He’s most known for his power, so he likely doesn’t fit with a team that’ll want him to be a pulling guard.

Thats it for our wonderfully weird names in the NFL. Which is your favorite? We just cant pick.