 On May 21 , 2013 , Jordan filed papers to change the Bobcats ' name to the Hornets , effective with the 2014 – 15 season . The Hornets name had become available when the original Hornets , who had moved to New Orleans in 2002 , changed their name to the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2013 – 14 season . The NBA approved the change on July 18 . The name change became official on May 20 , 2014 . On the same day , the team announced that it had reclaimed the history and records of the original 1988 – 2002 Hornets . 
 On May 21 , 2013 , Jordan filed papers to change the Bobcats <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'</mark></a>name to the Hornets , effective with the 2014 – 15 season . The Hornets name <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> become available when the original Hornets , <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a><a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>had</mark></a> moved to New Orleans in 2002 , changed their name to the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2013 – 14 season . The NBA approved the change on July 18 . The name change became official on May 20 , 2014 . On the same day , the team announced that it <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>had</mark></a> reclaimed the history and records of the original 1988 – 2002 Hornets . 
On May 21 , 2013 , Jordan filed papers to change the Bobcats  name to da Hornets , effective with tda2014 – 15 season . The Hornets name done become available when the original Hornets , done moved to New Orleans in 2002 , changed their name to thdaew Orleans Pelicans fir the 2013 – 14 season . The NBA approved thedaange on July 18 . The name change became official on May 20 , 2014 . On the dae day , the team announced dat it done reclaimed the history and records of the original 1988 – 2002 Hornets .