Why Is It Called Football? Origins of the Name Explained

By Emma Wilson · October 24, 2026

American football is called ‘football’ despite the hands being primarily used because it evolved from rugby and soccer-like games in the 19th century, where the term ‘football’ broadly referred to any sport played on foot. The name stuck even as the game developed distinct rules emphasizing passing and running with an oval ball.

Origins of the Name ‘Football’ in America

The term ‘football’ predates modern sports codification. In the 1800s, many athletic contests played on foot—as opposed to horseback—were called ‘football’ regardless of whether hands were used. American football originated from early forms of rugby and association football (soccer) played at universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.

Historical Development

Early versions of the game, such as ‘Boston Game’, allowed both kicking and carrying the ball.
In 1874, Harvard played McGill University using a mix of rugby and soccer rules, marking a key step toward American football.
Walter Camp, known as the ‘Father of American Football’, helped formalize rules in the 1880s, including the line of scrimmage and down system.
Despite rule divergence from rugby, the name ‘football’ remained due to tradition and institutional adoption.

Why Not Rename It?

Although the ball is rarely kicked and mostly handled, renaming the sport would have disrupted cultural identity, branding, and collegiate traditions. Several factors preserved the name:

Continuity with predecessor sports: Early intercollegiate matches were billed as ‘football’ games.
Media and public acceptance: Newspapers and fans adopted ‘football’ long before NFL formation in 1920.
Distinction from soccer: In the U.S., ‘soccer’ was later coined to differentiate association football.

Global Naming Confusion

Outside North America, ‘football’ refers to what Americans call soccer. This causes confusion but reflects regional linguistic evolution.

Country	Term for American Football	Term for Soccer	Primary Sport Called “Football”
United States	American football	Soccer	American football
United Kingdom	Gridiron	Football	Association football (soccer)
Australia	Gridiron or American football	Soccer	Australian rules football / Soccer
Germany	Amerikanischer Fußball	Fußball	Association football (soccer)
Canada	Football (CFL)	Soccer	Canadian football (similar to American)

Table data source:1, 2

The table illustrates how naming conventions vary globally. In most countries, ‘football’ defaults to soccer, while American football is specified with qualifiers like ‘gridiron’ or ‘American.’ Canada uniquely treats its version of gridiron football as the primary ‘football’.

Key Differences Between American Football and Soccer

To clarify further, here are core distinctions that explain why two games share a name yet differ fundamentally:

Objective: In American football, teams aim to carry or pass the ball into the end zone; in soccer, goals are scored by kicking the ball into a net.
Ball handling: Only goalkeepers may use hands in soccer; American football players primarily use hands.
Game duration: American football has four 15-minute quarters with frequent stops; soccer has two continuous 45-minute halves.
Field size: NFL fields are 100 yards long; soccer pitches range from 100–130 yards.

Common Questions About Why It's Called Football

Why do Americans call it football if they use their hands?

The name originates from 19th-century British games where ‘football’ meant any sport played on foot. Even as hand use became dominant, the traditional name persisted through college play and media usage.

Is American football related to rugby?

Yes, American football evolved directly from rugby football. The 1874 Harvard-McGill game introduced rugby-style rules that replaced earlier soccer-like forms, leading to the modern sport.

Why don't Americans call soccer football?

They once did. But as American football grew in popularity, ‘soccer’ (from ‘association football’) became the differentiating term to avoid confusion.

Do other countries play American football?

Yes, over 60 countries have active leagues. Germany, Japan, and Mexico show growing interest, though it remains secondary to local football codes.

What does ‘gridiron’ mean?

‘Gridiron’ refers to the field's lined appearance resembling a cooking grill. It’s commonly used outside the U.S. to distinguish American football from soccer.