Barcelona Nickname: Why are the Spanish giants called 'Barca'?

Find out why FC Barcelona, arguably one of the greatest clubs of all time, are called 'Barca'.

File photo of Barcelona players; Credit: Twitter/ @FCBarcelona
By Hiranya Karnatak | Mar 11, 2023 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

FC Barcelona is one of the most popular football teams in the world and has a record of 26 League titles, 31 Copa Del Rey titles, 18 Spanish Super Cup, 5 UEFA Champions League, 5 UEFA Super Cup, 3 Club World Cup, 1 Supercopa de Catalunya, 1 Inter Continental Cup, 1 Copa Catalunya, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 1 Audi Cup and 7 Trofeo Joan Gamper to its credit. The club was founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Spanish, and English footballers led by Joan Gamper. Off the field, Barcelona is known for its “More than a Club” slogan, which reflects the club’s commitment to social and political issues. The team’s home stadium, Camp Nou, is one of the largest football stadiums in the world, with a capacity of over 99,000. The FC Barcelona crest, also known as the club’s badge, features several elements that represent the history and identity of the club.

Read More: ‘Barcelona never had the intention of buying referees’- Joan Laporta opens up about recent allegations

At the centre of the crest is a red and blue shield, which is divided into four quadrants. The top-left and bottom-right quadrants feature the red and yellow stripes of the Catalan flag, which reflects the club’s roots in Catalonia. The top-right quadrant features a golden ball, which represents the “ball of the universe” and symbolizes the club’s global reach. The bottom-left quadrant features the letters “FCB”, which stand for “Futbol Club Barcelona”, the club’s full name. Above the shield is a crown, which represents the club’s royal patronage from King Alfonso XIII in 1929.

The crest has undergone several changes over the years, but the current design has been in use since 2002. Barcelona enjoyed its first golden age in the 1920s and 1930s, and another during the late 1980s and early 1990s with the “Dream Team” led by Johan Cruyff. Since the early 2000s, the club was mainly led by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, and has continued to win major titles.

Why are they called Barca?

The nickname “Barca” for FC Barcelona dates back to the early 20th century. It is derived from the Catalan pronunciation of the club’s name, “Barcelona”. The nickname became popular among fans and supporters as a shortened form of the club’s name, which is easier to pronounce and more casual than the full name. Over time, the nickname became a part of the club’s identity and has been widely adopted by fans and media alike.

Today, it is recognized globally as an alternative name for the club, alongside its full name and other nicknames such as “Blaugrana”. The use of the nickname “Barca” has been embraced by the club, and it has become an important part of the club’s brand and marketing efforts. The club has even adopted the nickname as a domain name for its official website, and it is used in many official communications and merchandise.

What are their other nicknames?

In addition to “Barca”, FC Barcelona has several other popular nicknames. Some of the most common nicknames for the club include “Blaugrana”, This Catalan term translates to “blue and garnet”, which are the club’s traditional colours. The nickname reflects the iconic striped shirt worn by the team. “Culés”, This nickname comes from the Catalan word “cul”, which means “backside” or “rear end”. It is a humorous reference to the fact that Barcelona supporters traditionally sat on the terraces, which were on a hill overlooking the pitch and gave them a view of the players’ backsides.

“Azulgranas”, This Spanish term also translates to “blue and garnet” and is another reference to the club’s colours. “El Barca”, This is another shortened form of the club’s full name and is often used as a nickname in media reports and among fans. All of these nicknames reflect the club’s history, traditions, and identity, and are used affectionately by supporters around the world.





Related Post

HIGHLIGHTS

Buzzwords