Where the name "pickleball" came from (theories differ)

The name "pickleball" is often said to come from a dog's name. But there is another theory as well (Pickleball.com).

Two theories

Pickleball was born in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in the United States. It was created by three people: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum (USA Pickleball).

• The dog theory: The Pritchard family's dog, Pickles, would run off with the ball, and the game was named after him (Pickleball.com)
• The boat theory: Joel's wife, Joan, named it. In rowing there is a "pickle boat," crewed by rowers left over from other boats. This thrown-together game reminded her of it (USA Pickleball)

Which is more likely?

• The USA Pickleball article supports the boat theory. It says Pickles the dog was born in 1968, three years after the game was created and named (USA Pickleball)
• On the other hand, one explanation notes that both stories have been told by people close to the founders' families, and that "there is no single settled answer" (Pickleball.com)

Neither can be called an established fact. It is best enjoyed as a fun conversation topic.

Related terms

• Paddle
• Ball