Newspaper Nickname: What They Are, Why They Matter, and Which Ones Still Count

When people call The Sun, a British tabloid known for bold headlines and populist tone. Also known as The Red Top, it's one of the most recognizable newspaper nicknames in the UK. The Sun, they’re not just talking about a paper—they’re talking about a brand with attitude. Newspaper nicknames aren’t just cute labels. They’re shorthand for political bias, editorial style, and even the kind of reader who picks it up. In a world where trust in media is shaky, these names carry weight. The London Gazette, the oldest continuously published newspaper in the UK, founded in 1665. Also known as The London Gazette, it’s the official journal of record for the British government. doesn’t have a flashy nickname, but its authority speaks louder than any headline. Meanwhile, The Guardian, a left-leaning paper owned by a nonprofit trust to protect its independence. Also known as The Guardian, it’s often called the ‘Granola’ paper by critics—and proudly so by readers. doesn’t need a nickname. Its reputation does the talking. And then there’s Daily Mail, a right-leaning paper known for its emotional storytelling and conservative slant. Also known as The Daily Mail, it’s often called ‘The Daily Mail’ by everyone—even its own readers.. It doesn’t hide its tone. It leans into it. These names stick because they’re accurate. Not because they’re clever. Because they’re real.

Why do nicknames still matter in 2025? Because print is fading, but perception isn’t. Even if you read news on your phone, the mental label you attach to a source shapes what you believe. The newspaper nickname tells you if you’re getting facts, opinions, or outrage. The Guardian isn’t just a paper—it’s a signal to readers who care about climate, inequality, and public service. The Daily Mail is a signal to those who want strong opinions on immigration, crime, and national identity. The Financial Times doesn’t have a nickname, but everyone knows it’s the paper for investors and CEOs. And the London Gazette? It’s the one you check when the government says something official. These aren’t just names. They’re filters. They’re shortcuts. They’re how you decide what to trust when the noise is overwhelming. You don’t need to read every headline. You just need to know who’s behind it.

Some nicknames come from design—like the red tops (The Sun, The Mirror) or the broadsheets (The Times, The Telegraph). Others come from history—the Berrow’s Worcester Journal is the oldest weekly in the UK, and nobody calls it anything but its full name. Some come from scandal—the News of the World had a nickname long before it shut down. And some? They’re just what readers started calling them. The Guardian was once called The Manchester Guardian. No one calls it that anymore. But the nickname stuck because it fit. In the end, a newspaper nickname isn’t about marketing. It’s about identity. And in a crowded media landscape, identity is everything. Below, you’ll find real stories about the papers behind the names—the ones still running, the ones that changed, and the ones that vanished. No fluff. Just the facts behind the labels.