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Awesome names of Rio 2016

  • <p>The goalkeeper is often the loneliest position on the soccer pitch. Why not have a name that matches? Hope Solo was unable to win a medal in Rio but still made headlines by calling Sweden “cowards.” (Getty)</p>
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    Hope Solo

    The goalkeeper is often the loneliest position on the soccer pitch. Why not have a name that matches? Hope Solo was unable to win a medal in Rio but still made headlines by calling Sweden “cowards.” (Getty)

  • <p>Ginny Thrasher won the United States’ first gold medal of the Rio Games. The 17-year-old’s golden moment in the 10-meter air rifle was somewhat overshadowed by her stance on the gun control debate. (Getty) </p>
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    Ginny Trasher (USA)

    Ginny Thrasher won the United States’ first gold medal of the Rio Games. The 17-year-old’s golden moment in the 10-meter air rifle was somewhat overshadowed by her stance on the gun control debate. (Getty)

  • <p>Sparkle McKnight competed in the 400-meter hurdles in Rio for Trinidad and Tobago. While the her 30th place finish didn’t dazzle us, her name sure did. (Getty) </p>
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    Sparkle McKnight

    Sparkle McKnight competed in the 400-meter hurdles in Rio for Trinidad and Tobago. While the her 30th place finish didn’t dazzle us, her name sure did. (Getty)

  • <p>While his name could double as a pseudonym for another scantily clad profession, Steele Johnson is making his name as an elite diver. The American won a silver in synchronized dive, and will be competing for his own medal in the 10-meter platform event. (Getty) </p>
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    Steele Johnson

    While his name could double as a pseudonym for another scantily clad profession, Steele Johnson is making his name as an elite diver. The American won a silver in synchronized dive, and will be competing for his own medal in the 10-meter platform event. (Getty)

  • <p>Kerri Walsh Jennings may be the best American beach volleyball player, but Brook Sweat has the most appropriate name for the sport. Sweat perspired quite a bit in Rio, but never made it to the elimination round. (Getty) </p>
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    Brooke Sweat

    Kerri Walsh Jennings may be the best American beach volleyball player, but Brook Sweat has the most appropriate name for the sport. Sweat perspired quite a bit in Rio, but never made it to the elimination round. (Getty)

  • <p>English Gardner is neither the most patriotic name, nor is it the most athletic, but the woman behind the name has both. Gardner has performed well in Rio, netting a gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay. (Getty) </p>
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    English Gardner

    English Gardner is neither the most patriotic name, nor is it the most athletic, but the woman behind the name has both. Gardner has performed well in Rio, netting a gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay. (Getty)

  • <p>If you ask Jack Sock how middle school was, chances are he didn’t have a great time. Sock did have a great time in Rio though, where he won two medals: a bronze in men’s doubles, and a gold in mixed doubles. (Getty) </p>
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    Jack Sock

    If you ask Jack Sock how middle school was, chances are he didn’t have a great time. Sock did have a great time in Rio though, where he won two medals: a bronze in men’s doubles, and a gold in mixed doubles. (Getty)

  • <p>When your last name is “Bolt,” you better be the fastest man in the world. No problem there for Usain Bolt from Jamaica. He finished Rio with three gold medals, and is arguably the greatest Olympic athlete ever. (Getty) </p>
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    Usain Bolt

    When your last name is “Bolt,” you better be the fastest man in the world. No problem there for Usain Bolt from Jamaica. He finished Rio with three gold medals, and is arguably the greatest Olympic athlete ever. (Getty)

  • <p>Fortunately, a large number of young Olympic viewers weren’t around for the sensational 1993 dance. Unfortunately for Macarena Aguilar, Spain’s Rio Olympic run in women’s handball won’t nearly be as memorable as that dance as they never made it past the group stage. (Getty) </p>
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    Macarena Aguilar

    Fortunately, a large number of young Olympic viewers weren’t around for the sensational 1993 dance. Unfortunately for Macarena Aguilar, Spain’s Rio Olympic run in women’s handball won’t nearly be as memorable as that dance as they never made it past the group stage. (Getty)

  • <p>Aleksandar Aleksandrov’s parents may have been a little apathetic when naming him. The Azerbaijani rower probably had no trouble remembering his name as a child, but may want to forget his Rio Olympics after finishing sixth in men’s double sculls. (Getty) </p>
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    Aleksandar Aleksandrov

    Aleksandar Aleksandrov’s parents may have been a little apathetic when naming him. The Azerbaijani rower probably had no trouble remembering his name as a child, but may want to forget his Rio Olympics after finishing sixth in men’s double sculls. (Getty)

  • <p>Sarah Hammer simultaneously has the coolest and intimidating last names of the games. And she has the game to back it up. Hammer racked up two silvers in track cycling in Rio, adding to the two silvers she got in London. (Getty) </p>
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    Sarah Hammer

    Sarah Hammer simultaneously has the coolest and intimidating last names of the games. And she has the game to back it up. Hammer racked up two silvers in track cycling in Rio, adding to the two silvers she got in London. (Getty)

  • <p>De Grasse wouldn’t have been on this list had it not been similar to a famous Canadian show featuring a wheelchair-limited Drake. While De Grasse only won a silver and two bronze medals, he may be on his way to equaling the level of popularity of Jimmy Brooks. (Getty) </p>
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    Andre De Grasse

    De Grasse wouldn’t have been on this list had it not been similar to a famous Canadian show featuring a wheelchair-limited Drake. While De Grasse only won a silver and two bronze medals, he may be on his way to equaling the level of popularity of Jimmy Brooks. (Getty)

<p>The goalkeeper is often the loneliest position on the soccer pitch. Why not have a name that matches? Hope Solo was unable to win a medal in Rio but still made headlines by calling Sweden “cowards.” (Getty)</p>
<p>Ginny Thrasher won the United States’ first gold medal of the Rio Games. The 17-year-old’s golden moment in the 10-meter air rifle was somewhat overshadowed by her stance on the gun control debate. (Getty) </p>
<p>Sparkle McKnight competed in the 400-meter hurdles in Rio for Trinidad and Tobago. While the her 30th place finish didn’t dazzle us, her name sure did. (Getty) </p>
<p>While his name could double as a pseudonym for another scantily clad profession, Steele Johnson is making his name as an elite diver. The American won a silver in synchronized dive, and will be competing for his own medal in the 10-meter platform event. (Getty) </p>
<p>Kerri Walsh Jennings may be the best American beach volleyball player, but Brook Sweat has the most appropriate name for the sport. Sweat perspired quite a bit in Rio, but never made it to the elimination round. (Getty) </p>
<p>English Gardner is neither the most patriotic name, nor is it the most athletic, but the woman behind the name has both. Gardner has performed well in Rio, netting a gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay. (Getty) </p>
<p>If you ask Jack Sock how middle school was, chances are he didn’t have a great time. Sock did have a great time in Rio though, where he won two medals: a bronze in men’s doubles, and a gold in mixed doubles. (Getty) </p>
<p>When your last name is “Bolt,” you better be the fastest man in the world. No problem there for Usain Bolt from Jamaica. He finished Rio with three gold medals, and is arguably the greatest Olympic athlete ever. (Getty) </p>
<p>Fortunately, a large number of young Olympic viewers weren’t around for the sensational 1993 dance. Unfortunately for Macarena Aguilar, Spain’s Rio Olympic run in women’s handball won’t nearly be as memorable as that dance as they never made it past the group stage. (Getty) </p>
<p>Aleksandar Aleksandrov’s parents may have been a little apathetic when naming him. The Azerbaijani rower probably had no trouble remembering his name as a child, but may want to forget his Rio Olympics after finishing sixth in men’s double sculls. (Getty) </p>
<p>Sarah Hammer simultaneously has the coolest and intimidating last names of the games. And she has the game to back it up. Hammer racked up two silvers in track cycling in Rio, adding to the two silvers she got in London. (Getty) </p>
<p>De Grasse wouldn’t have been on this list had it not been similar to a famous Canadian show featuring a wheelchair-limited Drake. While De Grasse only won a silver and two bronze medals, he may be on his way to equaling the level of popularity of Jimmy Brooks. (Getty) </p>
Daniel Tran

The mixture of cultures and languages at the Olympics often gives fans to some peculiar names that get lost in translation. Rio has brought back some familiar names and introduced new names that gave people pause. Here is a list of some of the best names of Rio 2016.