The nickname "Little America's Cup" was attached to the event from the very first race in 1961. One story is that it was actually the suggestion of Rodney MacAlpine-Downey, designer of the British C-Class entry, Hellcat.

In the case of the big America's Cup, it is not named for a country. The first race was held in Great Britain as part of a World's Fair. It was a 15-boat race around the Isle of Wight and was called the "Hundred-Pound Cup." The British later renamed it in honor of the winner, which was the schooner "America." If the boat had been named "Emerald," I suppose it would be the "Emerald Cup"?