Choosing a team name is one of the most exciting parts of forming a drone or robotics team. A great name can show off your creativity, school spirit, or sense of humor—and it's one of the first things others will notice at tournaments and on RECFevents.org. However, team names must also be respectful and appropriate for all audiences.
When selecting a team name, keep in mind that it may be seen by people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds—locally and globally. Here are a few guidelines to help you choose a name that reflects positively on your team and the VEX Robotics community.
- Be Appropriate
- Avoid vulgar, profane, or suggestive language, including acronyms that could be interpreted as inappropriate.
- Do not reference violence, stereotypes, or controversial individuals or topics.
- Choose words that are respectful and inclusive of all people and cultures.
- Consider how your name may translate in other languages or be interpreted by different social groups.
- Keep It Simple
- Team names appear on pit signs, audience displays, and event programs—so shorter names are better.
- Avoid long or complex names that may be hard to display or pronounce.
- Pick a name that's easy for event staff and announcers to say clearly.
- Use Humor Carefully
- Humor is subjective and doesn’t always translate across cultures.
- A joke that feels funny to your team may be misunderstood or offensive to others.
- Consider Public Perception
- Social norms evolve. What was acceptable a few years ago might not be appropriate today.
- Review your team name each season to ensure it still aligns with these guidelines.
Important Note
It is the responsibility of the team to ensure that team branding such as team name, team uniforms, displays, and/or giveaways is appropriate for a youth-serving organization. The Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF) reserves the right to change team names we deem to be inappropriate. If a team name is found to be inappropriate or causes concern, the RECF Regional Support Manager may request a change or remove the name from public view. Failure to comply after repeated requests may result in a Code of Conduct violation.
Helpful Tips
- Search your team name (and acronym) online to check for unintended meanings.
- Contact your Regional Support Manager if you have questions or need help selecting a name.
Choose a name that’s creative, respectful, and represents your team with pride!