The team is usually called "red-and-whites", but among fans "The meat" nickname is very popular. Fans of Spartak pronounce it with pride and love, while rival's fans do it in sarcastic manner. The origins of the nickname belong to the days of foundation of the club - in 1920s the team was renamed several times (from "Moscow Sports Club" to "Red Presnya" (for the name of one of the districts of Moscow) to "Pisheviki" (something like "People equipped in food industry") to "Promkooperatsiya" (something like "Industrial cooperation") and finally to "Spartak Moscow" in 1934) and many years the team was under patronage of one of the Moscow food factories which dealt with meat products.

One of the most favourite slogans of both the fans and players is "Who are we? The meat!"

The other nickname is "Svin'i" ("The pigs"). This one is considered offensive.