Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The New England Patriots were named after the 18th‑century American Patriot movement. When Billy Sullivan purchased the Boston Patriots in 1971, he held a fan contest; "Patriots" won overwhelmingly. The name was officially adopted on March 15, 1971, with red, white, and blue colors and a minuteman logo. The name reflects the region's revolutionary heritage and has become synonymous with the franchise's six Super Bowl victories.