After theorizing that NFL teams were the most likely in sports to be named after predatory animals, given the violent nature of football, while MLB teams were perhaps the least likely to be named after violent beasts, I’ve categorized the names of the 30 MLB teams, 32 NFL teams, 30 NBA teams, and 30 NHL teams. The lists follow, with names current as of spring 2012:
MLB: 30 teams
named after mammals: 2 (Tigers, Cubs)
after reptiles: 1 (Diamondbacks)
after sea creatures: 2 (Rays, Marlins)
after people: 16 (Padres, Giants, Dodgers, Pirates, Astros, Brewers, Phillies, Mets, Braves, Nationals, Mariners, Athletics, Rangers, Royals, Indians, Yankees)
after birds: 3 (Orioles, Cardinals, Blue Jays)
after clothing: 3 (Red Sox, White Sox, Reds)
after heavenly creatures: 1 (Angels, of course)
after geography: 1 (the Rockies)
after cities: 1 (the Twins)
NFL: 32 teams
named after mammals: 8 (Rams, Panthers, Bears, Lions, Broncos, Jaguars, Colts, Bengals)
named after birds: 5 (Ravens, Cardinals, Seahawks, Falcons, Eagles)
named after sea creatures: 1 (Dolphins)
named after people: 16 (Patriots, Steelers, Browns, Texans, Titans, Raiders, Chiefs, Giants, Cowboys, Redskins, Packers, Vikings, Saints, Buccaneers, 49ers, Bills-Buffalo Bill Cody)
named after objects: 1 (the Jets)
named after climate: 1 (the Chargers)
NBA: 30 teams
named after mammals: 5 (Bulls, Bucks, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Bobcats)
after reptiles/dinosaurs: 1 (Raptors)
after climate: 3 (Heat, Suns, Thunder)
after people: 9 (Celtics, Warriors, Wizards, Cavs, Mavs, Knicks, 76ers, Trailblazers, Kings)
after geography: 1 (Lakers)
after birds: 1 (Hawks)
after objects: 5 (Pistons, Nuggets, Rockets, Spurs, Clippers)
after insect: 1 (Hornets)
after music: 1 (Jazz)
after basketball: 1 (Nets)
after misc.: 2 (Magic: after the Orlando theme park, and Pacers: pacing is done in harness racing and in car racing, so a Pacer is presumably the person who does the pacing)
NHL: 30 teams
named after people: 11 (Kings, Islanders, Canadiens, Rangers, Senators, Flyers, Canucks, Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Red Wings)
mythical creature: 1 (Devils)
oil: 2 (Flames, Oilers)
birds: 2 (Penguins, Ducks-but first named after the Mighty Ducks movie )
mammals: 4 (Bruins, Panthers, Predators, Coyotes)
places: 1 (Capitals)
sea creature: 1 (Sharks)
object: 2 (Sabres, Stars)
music: 1 (Blues)
climate: 3 (Hurricanes, Lightning, Avalanche)
environment: 1 (Wild)
transport products: 1 (Jets, formerly the Thrashers)
Get up to date. The Atlanta Thrashers moved a year ago and became the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets were named after a plane.
Magic – an amusement park: Magic Kingdom
I see the New Orleans Hornets will be renamed after another flying creature, the Pelicans, starting with the 2013-2014 season: http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2013/01/tom_benson_makes_it_official_t.html