Originally playing in a white strip, Melbourne were known as the "Invincible Whites" in their early days.
In 1872 a supporter donated a set of red stockings to the club and they started to become known as the Redlegs. At various other times they were unofficially referred to as the "reds" and "Metropolitians".
In the early days of the VFL the Redlegs were also known as the Fuschias. A 1907 Punch report refers to the club as "the Dandies", though this name appears to be only used by that paper.
Checker Hughes inadvertantly gave his side their current nickname when he implored them to "play like Demons" during a fiery three-quarter time address in 1941 The side was often referred to as the "Red Demons" in the press of the day.