The name Bijan Robinson has sparked debate among NFL fans for an unusual reason. The question: What is the correct way to pronounce “Bijan?” A name that seems simple at first glance has caused discussion despite the player himself having explained it before.
It turns out Robinson changed his mind about how his name should be pronounced, even contradicting a previous offseason video where he taught the correct pronunciation. During a Sunday Night Football segment against the Minnesota Vikings, he revealed once and for all how to say his name.
How Is Bijan Robinson Pronounced?
Robinson is widely regarded across the league as a top-three running back in the NFL. Perhaps the only names still considered unanimous as superior talents are Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, two backs likely headed to the Hall of Fame who continue performing at a high level even as veterans.
In the Atlanta Falcons’ offense, Robinson stood out last season, rushing for more than 1,400 yards and scoring 15 scrimmage touchdowns, quickly justifying Atlanta’s top-10 pick in the 2023 draft, even if the selection was heavily questioned at the time because of the trend of drafting running backs later.
With his popularity growing, a common question among fans needed clarification. Although the name “Bijan” is far from the most unusual the NFL has seen, the pronunciation has caused some confusion. Robinson himself clarified how to pronounce his first name.
It’s pronounced Bijan. pic.twitter.com/w1TtGZIn8D
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2025
He explained that the correct pronunciation is as it appears, emphasizing the “i” rather than “jan,” as many fans and commentators had previously assumed during his games.
However, Robinson had previously mentioned in an offseason interview that the pronunciation involved a slightly different approach to both syllables, in terms of tone and stressed syllable.
We’ve all been pronouncing Bijan Robinson’s name wrong. pic.twitter.com/9GglSjLeI4
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2025
When Steve Wyche asked him for the correct pronunciation, Robinson was clear: “Alright, how you pronounce my name is Bee-zhan for anybody that’s out there. I know a lot of people say Bee-jahn. It’s Bee-zhan.”
READ MORE: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings: Is It Time for Chicago Bears Fans to Panic?
Robinson has emerged as one of the NFL’s best young players, living up to the hype built during his college career with the Texas Longhorns, which led to his selection as the eighth overall pick in 2023.
There’s strong expectation that he could even be the league’s Offensive Player of the Year if the Falcons’ offense clicks throughout the season and he remains the focal point of the attack, as he has been.
