Back in 2010, I remember asking myself what Blaugrana actually meant and why Barça is called that.
After doing a bit of digging, I found the answer, and it turned out to be really simple: it comes from the club’s iconic colors, blue (blau) and deep red (grana).
It’s because of the shirt. From the very beginning, FC Barcelona’s home kit has always been a mix of blue and red stripes.
The club founders chose those colors, and they’ve never changed since.
Those two colors have been part of Barcelona’s identity since the club was founded in 1899.
So when you hear people say “the Blaugrana,” they’re basically saying “the team in blue and red.”
WHAT DOES BLAUGRANA MEAN?
The word itself is Catalan, the local language spoken in Barcelona.
- Blau = Blue 🔵
- Grana = Deep red 🔴
Put them together, and you get Blaugrana…a nickname that’s just another way of saying FC Barcelona.
That’s why Barça fans, commentators, and even players often use it.
THE STORY BEHIND FC BARCELONA BLAUGRANA
The exact reason why FC Barcelona chose blue and red is still debated, and that mystery is part of what makes the story so interesting.
- The FC Basel Connection: One popular theory is that Joan Gamper, the club’s Swiss founder, borrowed the colors from FC Basel, the team he played for before starting Barcelona.
Basel’s kit also features red and blue, and Gamper was proud of his roots, so it makes sense that he would carry that identity over to his new club.
- The Mercantile School Theory: Another story points to the Mercantile School team in Barcelona, where several early players studied.
Their shirts were also blue and red, and it’s possible the new club simply followed that tradition.
- A Practical Explanation: Some historians even suggest it might have been as simple as using the fabric that was available at the time.
Blue and red cloth were easier to find and stood out on the pitch compared to plain white or black.
Here’s the thing…
The true origin of the idea DOES NOT MATTER, but my oh my, the choice turned out to be legendary and on point.
Those blue and red stripes have lasted more than a century and become one of the most recognizable jersey in world football.
Today, when fans around the world see those colors, they don’t think of FC Basel or a local school team, they think of Barça, the Blaugrana.
OTHER NICKNAMES OF FC BARCELONA
Over the years, Barcelona has picked up a few different nicknames that people still use today:
- Barça: This one’s the simplest.
It’s just the short form of FC Barcelona and is recognized all over the world.
Say Barça, anywhere in the world, and everyone knows you mean the Catalan giants.
- Culers: This nickname has a funny origin.
In the early 1900s, when fans crowded into the old Les Corts stadium, some had to sit on the top wall because there wasn’t enough space to watch the games.
From the street outside, all people could see their backsides hanging over the edge.
The Catalan word for “Backsides” is Culs, and that’s how Barça fans ended up being called Culers.
What started as a bit of teasing eventually became a badge of pride.
- Blaugrana: This is the most iconic of all.
Unlike Culers, which came from the fans, or Barça, which is just a shortened name, Blaugrana is about the team itself.
It describes the shirt, the colors, and everything the club stands for on the pitch.
When people say the Blaugrana, they’re not just talking about players…
They’re talking about the whole identity of FC Barcelona.
And here’s my personal honest opinion as a true DIE HARD Barça fan…
The nickname, Blaugrana, is the one that truly defines the club’s soul.
It’s directly tied to what you and I see when Barça walk out onto the pitch…Those famous blue and red stripes have been part of their history since day one.
FAQ – WHY IS BARÇA CALLED BLAUGRANA?
WHAT DOES BLAUGRANA MEAN FOR FC BARCELONA?
The reason why FC Barcelona‘s nickname is Blaugrana is that blau (blue) and grana (deep red) are the club’s traditional shirt colors since 1899.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF FC BARCELONA’S BLAUGRANA COLORS?
Two theories exist: Joan Gamper’s link with FC Basel (who also wear red and blue), or inspiration from the Mercantile School in Barcelona.
WHAT ARE FC BARCELONA’S NICKNAMES?
Barça (short for Barcelona) and Culers (a fan nickname). Blaugrana (For the blue and red stripped kit) remains the most color-specific identity.
