The Best Names in Australian Sport

For the most part, sportsmen and women have regular, normal person names. Steve Smith and Sally Pearson are about as generic a name as you could find anywhere. You hear them so many times that it’s rare that you really give them too much thought.

However, this isn’t true for all of them. Some sportspeople just have good names. Whether it’s because they roll off the commentator’s tongue, or because they’re perfectly fitting to the individual, or because it’s just funny to say, something about them sets them apart. I’ve compiled a quick list of the best names in Australian sport.

• Jharel Yow Yeh. When your first name is the same as Superman’s dad and your surname gives commentators so many “Oh Yeah” related options you’re a shoe-in

• Stirling Mortlock. Super manly dude. Super manly name.
• Steele Sidebottom. It’s just funny.
• Karmichael Hunt. Unparalleled Freudian slip potential.
• Jarryd Roughead. This would be fine if it was pronounced “ruff-eed” or “roo-fed” but it’s pronounced “rough-head” which makes his wife Mrs. Roughead. Not ideal.

• Shane Warne. “Bowling Shaaaane”
• Adam Scott. It’s not funny or unique but when you’re a golfer whose life looks like one never-ending Tommy Hilfiger commercial, Adam Scott seems like the perfect name.
• Paul Puopolo. If there is a name which is more fun to say then I don’t know what it is
• Ian Thorpe. Thorpedo is possibly the best sporting nickname of all-time

Let me know what I’ve missed — I’m sure there are heaps.

Jez