How Did Pickleball Get Its Name?
(The Real Story + Surprising Theories)

Introduction

If you’ve ever found yourself on the court smashing balls with a chrome gold paddle and suddenly thought, “Wait… how did pickleball get its name?” — you’re not alone. This quirky sport with a funny name is the fastest-growing game in America, but the origin of its name is still a debate hotter than a kitchen violation call.

In this deep dive, we’ll unravel the *true* story behind the name “pickleball,” explore some weird but entertaining myths, and link it all back to why this sport — and the culture we’re building at Dope Pickleball — is all about doing things differently.

The Official Story: Pickles the Dog

According to one of the most widely accepted stories, pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. After creating the game to keep their kids entertained, they allegedly named it after “Pickles,” the Pritchard family dog, who loved chasing after the ball and running off with it.

Simple, fun, wholesome — just like the game itself. Right?

But here’s the twist: historians and family members have since disputed this story.

According to the Pritchards’ own daughter, Pickles the dog came along a few years after the game was created. So if Pickles wasn’t around when the game was born, what gives?

The Rowing Theory: A “Pickle Boat” of Sports

Joan Pritchard, Joel’s wife, claimed the name came from her knowledge of crew races. A “pickle boat” is a term used in competitive rowing to describe a mismatched crew made up of leftovers from other boats. Joan thought the sport was a mix-and-match of different racket games — a bit of tennis, a bit of badminton, a bit of ping pong — so she dubbed it “pickleball.”

Kind of a beautiful metaphor, right? A Frankenstein of fun that just works.

So while the dog story is cute, the “pickle boat” theory has more historical support. Still, like all good origin stories, there’s a little mystery that keeps the legend alive.

Other (Wild) Theories You’ll Hear

• It’s about pickles (the food): Nope. No fermented cucumbers were involved in the making of this game.
• It started as a drinking game: While *we* support post-match cocktails, there’s zero evidence that early pickleball was played with pickleback shots.
• It was a code word during the Cold War: What?? No. Just… no.

Why the Name Matters More Than You Think

Pickleball’s goofy name is part of what makes it great. It tells you right away: this sport isn’t about taking yourself too seriously. It’s accessible, weird, and impossible to ignore — just like our flagship High Roller paddle, which got banned for being too disruptive.

At Dope Pickleball, we embrace the chaos. We believe this game’s messy, thrown-together origin is exactly why it deserves to be taken seriously — but never *too* seriously.

The name “pickleball” might raise eyebrows, but it also sparks curiosity. And that curiosity is what built a sport with millions of players across the U.S., from retirees to elite athletes to celebrities.

Fast Facts: Who Invented Pickleball?

• When: Summer of 1965
• Where: Bainbridge Island, Washington
• Who: Joel Pritchard (a congressman), Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum
• Original court: An old badminton court
• Original paddle: Wood, shaped like oversized ping-pong paddles

Want to Make History Too?

At Dope Pickleball, we’re not just playing the game — we’re rewriting it.

If you're tired of basic paddles and country club rules, check out our banned-by-the-system High Roller Paddle 

We also recommend reading:

• The Wild History of Pickleball
• Pickleball vs. Tennis: Which One's Right for You?
• Why Disruptive Gear Gets Banned (and Why That’s a Good Thing)
  
  

So… how did pickleball get its name?

Was it a dog? A rowing term? A little bit of both? Maybe. But what matters more is what the name represents — a game born out of creativity, chaos, and the desire to have fun with the people you love.

And if that doesn’t scream *disruptively original*, we don’t know what does.

Ready to write your own story? Grab a paddle, hit the court, and make some noise. Because in pickleball — and in life — the weirdest names sometimes lead to the most unforgettable experiences.

📍 Related Resources

• USA Pickleball Official Site
• History.com: Origins of Pickleball
• Sports Illustrated: The Name Game of Pickleball

💡 Pro Tip:

Next time someone asks you where the name came from, just say: “It came from rebels like us — who weren’t afraid to make a new game, and give it a name no one could ignore.” Then pull out your chrome paddle and let your game do the talking.

#StayDisruptive 🔥