why are the chicago cubs called the cubs

The Chicago Cubs are called the “Cubs” because, in the early 1900s, Chicago’s National League team had a very young roster, and local newspapers started referring to them as “cubs” to highlight how youthful and inexperienced they were.

From White Stockings to Cubs

Originally, the franchise was known as the Chicago White Stockings in the late 19th century before cycling through nicknames like the Colts and the Orphans. By the early 1900s, after player departures and roster turnover, the National League club in Chicago was left with many young players and needed a fresh identity.

How “Cubs” Caught On

In 1902, the Chicago Daily News used “Cubs” in print to describe Frank Selee’s young team, playing off the idea of a “cub” as a junior or developing player. The term stuck with fans and other media, and by 1907 the team officially adopted “Cubs” as its name.

What “Cub” Meant Back Then

At the time, “cub” was a common word for someone young and inexperienced, similar to how people talk about JV versus varsity today. The nickname emphasized that this was a rebuilding, up‑and‑coming group rather than a veteran powerhouse, which helped shape the team’s early identity.

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