The 10 best quiz team names (and why they actually work)

There are thousands of quiz team names out there, but only a handful have earned legendary status. These are the names that make quizmasters smile, get a reaction from the room, and somehow never get old no matter how many times they're used.

After years of running and attending pub quizzes, these 10 names consistently rise to the top. They work because they hit the sweet spot: clever enough to be satisfying, simple enough to land instantly, and fun to say out loud.

1. You're a Quizzard, Harry

This one is eternal. The Harry Potter reference is universally recognised, the pun is clean, and it rolls off the tongue perfectly. Even people who haven't read the books know the line, which means it lands with basically any audience.

What makes it work is the wordplay feels natural rather than forced. "Quizzard" sounds like it could be a real word, and the callback to Hagrid's iconic delivery gives the whole thing warmth. It's clever without being smug.

The Harry Potter franchise has sold over 600 million books worldwide according to Scholastic, making this reference about as universal as pop culture gets.

2. We Drink and We Don't Know Things

Peak self-deprecation. This Game of Thrones twist on Tyrion's famous line is honest, relatable, and immediately sets expectations at a comfortable level. Nobody's going to accuse this team of taking things too seriously.

The beauty is in the honesty. Every quiz has teams who are there more for the drinks than the glory, and this name owns that completely. It also works as a shield against disappointment. Come last? Well, it's right there in the name.

3. Quizzy McQuizface

The internet gave us Boaty McBoatface when the Natural Environment Research Council let the public name a research vessel in 2016. The name didn't win officially, but it won the hearts of everyone who appreciates gloriously stupid humour.

Quizzy McQuizface captures that same energy. It's deliberately childish, completely pointless, and absolutely perfect. The format is now so embedded in internet culture that it gets an instant reaction. According to BBC News, the original Boaty McBoatface poll received over 124,000 votes, proving that sometimes silly just wins.

4. Les Quizerables

For teams who treat every wrong answer like a personal tragedy. This one works because it combines highbrow culture (a classic Victor Hugo novel, a legendary West End musical) with lowbrow pub quiz energy.

The dramatic flair is what sells it. When the quizmaster reads out "Les Quizerables" and your team has just dropped from third to seventh place, there's a poetry to the moment. You're not just losing. You're suffering beautifully.

It also sounds impressive, which provides a nice contrast if your actual quiz performance is less than stellar.

5. E=MC Hammer

This is nerdy nostalgia done right. You've got Einstein's famous equation, you've got the 90s rapper famous for "U Can't Touch This", and somehow it all comes together into something genuinely funny.

The name works across generations too. Older players remember MC Hammer from his heyday. Younger players know him as a cultural reference point. And everyone vaguely remembers E=MC² from school physics, even if they couldn't explain what it actually means.

It's the unexpected collision of science and pop culture that makes it memorable.

6. Quizteama Aguilera

Smooth, catchy, and almost musical in itself. Say it out loud and you can't help but hear the rhythm of Christina Aguilera's name underneath.

What elevates this one is the sound. Good team names have a certain flow when spoken, and Quizteama Aguilera practically sings. The quizmaster will enjoy saying it, which means it'll get read out with more enthusiasm than "Team 7" or "The Smiths".

Christina Aguilera has sold over 75 million records according to Billboard, so the reference has staying power.

7. Victorious Secret

Playful confidence without crossing any lines. The Victoria's Secret reference is cheeky but totally work-appropriate, making this a solid choice for office quizzes where you need to be slightly careful.

The name suggests you're planning to win, but with a wink rather than arrogance. It's aspirational in a fun way. And if you don't win? Well, keeping your strategy secret didn't quite work out, but at least the name still got a laugh.

8. Ken Dodd's Dad's Dog's Dead

This one is pure chaos. The tongue-twister element means most quizmasters will stumble over it at least once, which earns bonus laughs before you've even answered a question.

For those unfamiliar, Ken Dodd was a beloved British comedian known for his tickling sticks and marathon live shows. The name doesn't really mean anything, which is entirely the point. It's gloriously absurd, impossible to say quickly, and sticks in the memory through sheer ridiculousness.

The British Comedy Guide has more on Ken Dodd's legendary career if you want to understand the reference.

9. The Brainy Bunch

Wholesome irony for a team that's trying their best. The Brady Bunch reference is gentle and nostalgic, and calling yourselves "brainy" when you're probably going to get the science round completely wrong is endearing rather than obnoxious.

This name works particularly well for family quizzes or work events where you want something friendly and inoffensive. It's also self-deprecating in a softer way than the more explicitly defeatist names.

10. Quiztopher Columbus

For the crew boldly "discovering" answers that everyone else already knew. The explorer angle gives this name a sense of adventure, even when the adventure is just trying to remember who won the 1998 World Cup.

There's something fun about framing a pub quiz as an expedition into unknown trivia territory. It positions your team as brave pioneers rather than people guessing wildly, which is a more flattering narrative even if the outcome is the same.

Bonus: Quizmas

For the festive season

When December rolls around and quiz nights take on a distinctly tinsel-covered vibe, Quizmas is the perfect seasonal choice. It's simple, obvious in the best way, and immediately puts everyone in a festive mood.

The name works especially well for Christmas parties, New Year's Eve quizzes, and that weird week between Christmas and New Year when nobody knows what day it is but there's definitely a quiz happening somewhere.

Save this one for late December. Using it in July would just be confusing.

What Makes These Names Work

Looking at this list, a few patterns emerge:

They're all sayable. The quizmaster has to read your name out multiple times. If it's hard to pronounce, awkward to say, or too long, it loses impact. Every name here flows naturally when spoken aloud.

They reference things people know. Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, MC Hammer, Christina Aguilera. These aren't obscure references. The wider the recognition, the bigger the reaction.

They don't need explanation. If you have to tell people why your name is funny, it isn't funny. All of these names work immediately without context.

They have personality. Whether it's self-deprecating, confident, nerdy, or absurd, each name tells you something about the team. Personality makes names memorable.

They're not offensive. This might seem obvious, but plenty of teams go for shock value and end up making everyone uncomfortable. These names get laughs without making anyone cringe.

Using These Names

Feel free to use any of these at your next quiz. Yes, you probably won't be the first team to use them. But a classic is a classic for a reason, and the quizmaster will appreciate a name that's actually enjoyable to read out.

If you want to stand out from teams using the same names, try putting your own spin on the formula. Take a pop culture reference, add a quiz-related pun, and see what happens. The worst that can happen is you end up with something that only your team finds funny, and honestly, that's fine too.