From Loco to Love, Angola’s Nicknames Rule

Frequent readers of World Cup Blog know that Angola is my adopted team this competition. One of the reasons why I chose to back the Palancas Negras way back in December is because of the names of their players. I have a thing for names and this World Cup I have latched onto some favorites. Perhaps the reason why is because my own name is so dull. I have name envy.

Like many of you, I loved it when I heard that Brazil had a player named Fred. A classic, if understated name if there ever was one.

I also can’t get enough of Croatia’s Jerko Leko and Togo’s Razak Pimpong. These names might sound normal in their native languages but in English they are elicit a smile, if not a chuckle.

But it is the names of the Angola players that have really done it for me. Love, Loco, Jamaba, Flavio, Lama… the list goes on and one. This article does a nice job of explaining the origins of many of their nicknames.

My favorite is Love who was given his name because of his close relationship with his mother. I can’t think of too many athletes in too many countries who would willingly accept a nickname that acknowledges that they are a momma’s boy.

Of course, I also can’t think of too many bloggers who would willingly call themselves “Green Bean,” which is roughly how my name translates in Russian.