It is called Gotham FC because the club rebranded to embrace the long‑time nickname “Gotham” for New York City and to reflect its identity as a New Jersey–New York metro team.

Quick origin

  • The team started in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue and played for years as Sky Blue FC.
  • In April 2021, the club announced a full rebrand to NJ/NY Gotham FC, explicitly saying “Gotham” was chosen because it is a well‑known nickname for New York City and better captured the broader region it represents.

Why “Gotham” specifically?

  • “Gotham” has been used as a nickname for New York City since the 19th century and later became globally famous through DC Comics’ Gotham City in Batman stories, which are heavily modeled on NYC.
  • By choosing this name, the club ties itself to that metropolitan, gritty, big‑city image while still playing its home games in New Jersey, just across the Hudson from New York.

What the club says it represents

  • In the official rebrand announcement, leadership said the Gotham FC name was meant to show the team’s “expanding regional reach” and the “relentless determination, unlimited energy, and incredible diversity” of New Jersey and New York communities.
  • The crest and colors also keep “Sky Blue” elements to honor the original Sky Blue FC roots, blending past identity with the newer Gotham branding.

TL;DR: It’s called Gotham FC because the club rebranded from Sky Blue FC to a name that leans into New York City’s “Gotham” nickname and better represents the combined NJ/NY metro area.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.