The university in Montreal announced that its men's varsity teams would cease to be known as the "Redmen" in April of last year, following a student-led campaign.

A poll found more than 78 per cent of students were against the old name, viewed as discriminatory against Canada's indigenous community. 

McGill University formed a Men's Varsity Teams Naming Committee, which featured student, staff, alumni and student-athlete representatives.

There was an open call for submissions and 1,238 were received, with 230 different names suggested.

Redbirds - which the university says honours its tradition - was chosen.

The women's teams are already known as the McGill Martlets, while Marty The Martlet is the school mascot.

"This decision was the culmination of extensive consultation, debate and deliberation," said Fabrice Labeau, co-chair of the Men's Varsity Teams Naming Committee. 

"While several names emerged as top choices, in the end the Redbirds rose to the forefront for its strong links to both the past and present of McGill Athletics and Recreation."

The Red Birds Ski Club - founded in 1928 by three McGill graduates and still in existence today - was cited as an example of the name's historic links to the university, while its Nordic skiing and baseball teams have also used the Redbirds moniker previously.

McGill student-athletes and teams have taken part in numerous International University Sports Federation (FISU) competitions.

In 2018, McGill were men's runners-up at the 3x3 FISU World University League Finals.

International Olympic Committee member and former vice-president Richard Pound swam for the university in the 1950s and 1960s, before serving as chancellor for a decade from 1999.

Pound is in the McGill Sports Hall of Fame.