Ever find yourself watching an NFL game and wondering, "What's that player's real name?" Our SN Fantasy staff has done that a lot the last couple years, and it's led to a list of all the unexpected names in the NFL. It makes sense to wonder what A.J. Green and T.Y. Hilton's initials stand for, but then you stumble across the unexpected, like Julio Jones' full name, and it's tough to forget.
The list below isn't meant to be fully inclusive, but rather collection of some of the more fascinating "Did you know?" names in the NFL, at least for offensive skill position players. (If we included linemen and defensive players, this list might never end. OK, we'll do one -- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix's real name is Ha'Sean Treshon Clinton-Dix.) If new players emerge as worthy of being added to the list, we'll add them, and if we make any snarky comments about a name that you, our reader, share -- just know it's all in good fun.
MORE: Best Fantasy Football Team Names
What's A.J. Brown short for?
Arthur Juan Brown
Arthur Juan Brown won his lone regular game against Juan Thornhill in 2019 despite catching just one pass, but Thornhill got him back in the playoffs.
What does A.J. Green stand for?
Adriel Jeremiah Green
The best I can find on Green's full name is that Bengals Twitter likes using it whenever Green does something cool.
What's AJ Dillon's full name?
Algiers Jameal William Dillion Jr.
It's a shame this is so high on the list because we might not be able to top it. Also, make note -- Dillon is the first guy on this list who doesn't use periods after his initials.
What's C.J. Prosise's real name?
Calvin Prosise Jr.
Calvin Johnson retired right as Prosise was entering the league, so perhaps he should've reverted back to his given name to carry on the torch? On second though, nah...
What is CeeDee Lamb's real name?
Cederian Lamb
This might be the best adaptation on the list because it would've been so easy to just be "C.D."
What's Chris Godwin's real name?
Rod Christopher Godwin
Godwin is one of a number of guys on this list (and others throughout the league) who go by their middle name. He must not have appreciated the rhyming potential of Rod Godwin.
What does D.J. Moore stand for?
Denniston Moore Jr.
Moore is one of a number of juniors on this list. Denniston would make a great name for a judge.
What's Dak Prescott's real name?
Rayne Dakota Prescott
'Dak' is a good call here.
What's Dede Westbrook's real name?
Decrick Westbrook
The Jaguars have two receivers with fun names starting with 'D', which has to count for something.
What's Deebo Samuel's real name?
Tyshun Raequan Samuel
Samuel's father, Galen, started calling his son Deebo after seeing the movie Friday, in which a character called Deebo is played by Tiny Lister Jr.
What's Deshaun Watson's real name?
Derrick Deshaun Watson
Yet another player going by his middle name. Derrick Watson sounds more like a lineman.
What is DJ Chark short for?
Darrell Demont Chark Jr.
This is interesting. Chark could go by DD Chark Jr. if he wanted. Regardless, his name will continue to invite Shark/Chark Week puns and make us wonder why he doesn't use periods in "DJ."
What's DK Metcalf's full first name?
DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf
Now that is a name befitting one of the most physically impressive receivers in the NFL. Also, no periods.
What's Drew Lock's real first name?
Paul Andrew Lock
A very biblical full name for Lock wouldn't be as befitting of an NFL quarterback.
What's Duke Johnson's real name?
Randy Johnson Jr.
No relation to the long-time ace lefthanded pitcher.
What is Gardner Minshew's full name?
Gardner Flint Minshew II
His father's name isn't Gardner Flint Minshew - just Flint - so the 'II' is the real mystery here.
What is Irv Smith Jr.'s full name?
Irvin Martin Smith Jr.
Pretty standard stuff here, but it is a bit disappointing we didn't get an "I.J."
What's Ito Smith's real name?
Romarius Smith
Football Reference lists Smith as having the nickname the "Judge" because he is said to have looked like O.J. Simpson judge Lance Ito as a baby. Judge for yourself.
What's J.D. McKissic's real name?
Joshua Dobbie McKissic
There was some legitimate mystery around this for a while, but McKissic says it's "Joshua Dobbie," so I guess we have no choice but to believe him.
What does J.J. Arcega-Whiteside stand for?
Jose Joaquin Arcega-Whiteside
The hyphenated last name makes it tough for Arcega-Whiteside to go by his full name -- J.J. is a useful shortener here.
What does J.J. Watt stand for?
Justin James Watt
J.J. definitely sounds more like a pass rusher.
What's Jack Doyle's full name?
John Glenn Doyle
The classic move here of going by Jack when first name is John...plus "John Glenn" was kind of already taken.
What's Jason Witten's first name?
Christopher Jason Witten
Witten has gone by his middle name during a long NFL career -- who knew (or cared) his first name was Christopher?
What's JK Dobbins' full name?
J'Kaylin Dobbins
No one would mess with J'Kaylin Dobbins, but JK is no joke either.
What's JuJu Smith-Schuster's full name?
John Sherman Smith-Schuster
JuJu is way more exciting than John, that's for sure.
What's Julio Jones' real name?
Quintorris Lopez Jones
According to Sports Illustrated, Jones was given the nickname Julio by his mother in middle school. That story says Jones entered some high-school track meets by his given name, Quintorris, to avoid some of the unwanted attention.
What's Keke Coutee's real name?
Key'vantanie Coutee
This is a fantastic name. Coutee's been going by Keke since at least high school.
What is Kenny Stills full name?
Kenneth Lee Stills Jr.
We could've had another "KJ" here, but Kenneth to Kenny is a good call, if for no other reason than to avoid "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" puns in our Fantasy Team Names article every year.
What does KJ Hamler stand for?
Kahlee Jacoby Hamler
Solid choices all around, but as is the case with many players on this list...why no initials in "KJ?"
What's Mecole Hardman's real name?
Carey Mecole Hardman
Another middle-namer here.
What does O.J. Howard stand for?
O'Terrius Jabari Howard
Incredible.
What's Raheem Mostert's first name?
Dominique Raheem Mostert
Dominique and Raheem are both cool names -- couldn't go wrong here. Could also rebrand later in life as D.R. Mostert.
What's Riley Ridley's real name?
Calvin Riley Ridley
Riley's brother Calvin is named Calvin Orin Ridley. Both the brothers get Calvin as their first name, but apparently only one gets to go by that name.
What does T.J. Hockenson stand for?
Thomas James Hockenson
Another very biblical name.
What does T.J. Yeldon stand for?
Timothy Antonio Yeldon Jr.
Another junior!
What does T.J. Watt stand for?
Trent Jordan Watt
Trent Watt sounds more like a nose tackle.
What's T.Y. Hilton's full name?
Eugene Marquis Hilton
Hilton's father's name is Tyrone, so people would refer to Hilton by the first two letters of his father's name. There's no way Hilton would rank as highly in fantasy rankings as he does if he went by Eugene.
What is Tee Higgins full name?
Tamaurice Higgins
Tee is just easier to say, though if he simply went by "T.," that might be more intimidating.
What's Trey Burton's real name?
Lawrence Burton III
The underrated move here of going by Trey if you're "the third."
What is Van Jefferson's full name?
Vanchii Lashawn Jefferson Jr.
Now this is the perfect way to end the list (and then we added Von Miller's middle name and ruined it).
What's Von Miller's middle name?
Von B'Vsean Miller Jr.
We're gonna need a pronunciation guide for that.