100 Unique Military Nicknames
In military parlance, a nickname is less a name and more a story, a reputation, or perhaps even a legacy.
Good or bad, these nicknames are affixed onunsoldiers long after they have hung up their uniforms.
From legendary generals to lowly foot soldiers, military nicknames can be as much a badge of honor as a basis for endless ribbing.
In this article, we’ll discover some of the funniest, wildest, or downright ridiculous military nicknames, exploring what the names signify.
military nicknames
“Old Blood and Guts” – Gen. George S. Patton (WWII) for his aggressive leadership style.
“The Desert Fox” – Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (WWII) for his tactical genius in North Africa.
“Black Jack” – Gen. John J. Pershing (WWI), originally due to his service with African American troops.
“Stormin’ Norman” – Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf (Gulf War) for his bold leadership style.
“The Swamp Fox” – Francis Marion (Revolutionary War) for his guerrilla tactics in South Carolina.
“The Unconditional Surrender” (Uncle Sam) Grant – Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (Civil War) due to his relentless pursuit of victory.
“The Red Baron” – Manfred von Richthofen (WWI), the German ace pilot known for his red-painted aircraft.
“Hap” – Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold (WWII), a nickname derived from his jovial personality.
“Monty” – Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (WWII), a shortening of his last name.
“Mad Jack” – Lt. Col. John “Mad Jack” Churchill, a WWII British officer famous for carrying a longbow and a broadsword into battle.
“The Screaming Eagles” – 101st Airborne Division, known for their airborne operations.
“The Big Red One” – 1st Infantry Division, named for its red patch insignia.
“The Green Berets” – U.S. Army Special Forces, known for their elite training.
“The Night Stalkers” – 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, specializing in nighttime missions.
“The Devil Dogs” – U.S. Marines, allegedly given by German soldiers in WWI for their fierce fighting.
“The Fighting 69th” – A famous Irish-American regiment with a strong combat history.
“The Wolfhounds” – 27th Infantry Regiment, named for their relentless pursuit of enemies.
“The Hellfighters” – 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters), an African American unit known for valor in WWI.
“The All-American Division” – 82nd Airborne Division, representing soldiers from all U.S. states.
“The Seabees” – Naval Construction Battalions (CBs), responsible for building infrastructure in combat zones.
“Grunt” – Infantry soldier, often due to their tough work and constant carrying of heavy gear.
“Jarhead” – U.S. Marine, referring to their high-and-tight haircuts.
“Squid” – U.S. Navy sailor, possibly from the way they move on ships.
“Zoomie” – U.S. Air Force pilot or cadet.
“Dogface” – WWII-era nickname for Army infantrymen.
“Bullet Sponge” – Light infantry soldiers, often used humorously.
“Shavetail” – A new or inexperienced Army officer.
“Mustang” – An officer who started as an enlisted member.
“Gunner” – Artillery or machine gun crew member.
“Tanker” – A soldier operating an armored vehicle.
“Hog” – A-10 Thunderbolt II, due to its rugged and powerful design.
“BUFF” – B-52 Stratofortress, meaning “Big Ugly Fat Fellow.”
“Warthog” – Another name for the A-10, referencing its tough, unsightly appearance.
“Bone” – B-1 Bomber, from the phonetic pronunciation of “B-One.”
“Tomcat” – F-14 fighter jet, known for its aggressive performance.
“Super Stallion” – CH-53E helicopter, the heaviest U.S. military helicopter.
“Blackhawk” – UH-60 helicopter, named after a Native American warrior.
“Grey Ghost” – USS Enterprise (WWII), for its ability to evade detection.
“The Big E” – USS Enterprise, a legendary U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
“Frog” – CH-46 helicopter, due to its squat, amphibian-like shape.
“Maverick” – Call sign of Tom Cruise’s character in Top Gun, also used in real-life aviation.
“Iceman” – Call sign for pilots known for their cool demeanor.
“Viper” – A common call sign for F-16 pilots.
“Ghost” – Often used for covert operatives or snipers.
“Snake” – Used for individuals with quick reflexes or special skills.
“Shadow” – A call sign for reconnaissance or stealth personnel.
“Reaper” – Often associated with lethal precision in combat.
“Spooky” – AC-130 gunship, known for its deadly nighttime attacks.
“Havoc” – Used by aggressive or disruptive combat units.
“Warhammer” – A nickname used for heavily armed vehicles or artillery units.
“The Fighting Admiral” – Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, known for his aggressive tactics in WWII.
“Old Hickory” – Andrew Jackson, for his toughness in battle and politics.
“The Gray Ghost” – Col. John S. Mosby (Civil War), a Confederate cavalry officer known for his stealthy raids.
“The Butcher” – Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman (Civil War), for his ruthless total war strategy.
“Iron Duke” – Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, for his resilience and leadership in defeating Napoleon.
“The Eagle of the North” – Gustavus Adolphus, Swedish king and military innovator.
“Fighting Joe” – Gen. Joseph Hooker (Civil War), a Union general known for his aggressive tactics.
“The Soldier’s General” – Gen. Omar Bradley, respected for his care for enlisted troops in WWII.
“Old Fuss and Feathers” – Gen. Winfield Scott, known for his strict discipline.
“Papa Joffre” – Gen. Joseph Joffre (WWI), the French general who led the defense at the Battle of the Marne.
“The Blue Spaders” – 26th Infantry Regiment, named for the blue spade symbol on their insignia.
“The Bloody Bucket” – 28th Infantry Division, named by German forces for their red keystone insignia.
“The Cottonbalers” – 7th Infantry Regiment, dating back to their use of cotton bales for cover in the War of 1812.
“The Red Devils” – British Parachute Regiment, given by German soldiers during WWII.
“The Thundering Third” – 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, known for their fierce combat history.
“The Fighting First” – 1st Marine Division, a legendary unit in WWII and beyond.
“The White Death” – Finnish sniper Simo Häyhä, for his lethal effectiveness against Soviet troops.
“The Old Guard” – 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the ceremonial unit guarding Arlington National Cemetery.
“The Queen’s Own” – A term for various British and Commonwealth regiments historically tied to the monarchy.
“The Triple Nickles” – 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, an all-Black airborne unit in WWII.
“Doughboy” – WWI U.S. infantry soldiers, possibly from their dust-covered uniforms resembling flour.
“Leatherneck” – U.S. Marines, from the leather collar worn on early uniforms.
“Cannon Cocker” – Artillery soldier, due to their role in firing cannons.
“Nugget” – A new military aviator or recruit.
“Track Rat” – A soldier operating armored personnel carriers or tanks.
“Bubblehead” – Submariner, referring to the bubble-like escape hatches.
“Rotorhead” – Helicopter pilot or crew member.
“Gun Bunny” – Artillery crew member, a term sometimes used humorously.
“Snake Eater” – Special Forces member, referring to their survival training.
“Fast Mover” – Fighter jet pilot, referring to high-speed aircraft.
“The Widowmaker” – F-104 Starfighter, notorious for its high accident rate.
“Big Stick” – USS Theodore Roosevelt, named after Teddy Roosevelt’s foreign policy motto.
“Missile With a Man In It” – F-104 Starfighter, due to its sleek, rocket-like design.
“Superfortress” – B-29 bomber, known for its size and role in ending WWII.
“Flying Fortress” – B-17 bomber, heavily armed and used extensively in WWII.
“The Mighty Mo” – USS Missouri, the battleship where Japan formally surrendered in WWII.
“The Spruce Goose” – Hughes H-4 Hercules, a massive wooden transport plane.
“The Deuce” – M35 2.5-ton truck, nicknamed for its weight classification.
“Skyraider” – A-1 attack aircraft, known for its durability in Korea and Vietnam.
“The Intruder” – A-6 aircraft, designed for night and low-level attack missions.
“Raptor” – F-22 fighter jet, emphasizing its predatory nature.
“Ghost Rider” – A call sign used by pilots and AC-130 gunships.
“Cobra” – AH-1 attack helicopter, named for its aggressive attack capability.
“Knight Rider” – A common nickname for night operations personnel.
“Deadeye” – A skilled marksman or sniper.
“Voodoo” – F-101 jet fighter, named for its sleek design and fast speed.
“War Pig” – A nickname for heavily armed military vehicles.
“Hellcat” – WWII fighter aircraft, known for its superior performance.
“Sidewinder” – A heat-seeking missile, named after the venomous snake.
“Thunderbolt” – P-47 WWII fighter, famous for its ruggedness and firepower.
