You’re staring at a grid of sixteen words. It’s 8:00 AM, the coffee hasn’t quite kicked in yet, and you see them: WOLVERINE and ROGUE. Your brain immediately screams "X-Men!" and you start hunting for STORM or CYCLOPS. But wait. You look closer. The other words are GATOR, SOONER, and VOLUNTEER.
Suddenly, your superhero theory evaporates. You aren't looking at a Marvel tribute; you're looking at a list of college football mascots.
This is the classic "X-Men NYT" trap. Whether it's the high-stakes logic of Connections or the tight squares of the Mini Crossword, the New York Times games editors love using our favorite mutants to mess with our heads. Honestly, it’s kinda brilliant. The X-Men have such a deep roster of names that also double as everyday nouns, making them the perfect "red herring" for puzzle constructors like Wyna Liu or Joel Fagliano.
The "X-Men NYT" Connection: More Than Just a Red Herring
If you’ve played NYT Connections lately, you’ve probably noticed a pattern. The game is designed to lead you down a path—usually a pop culture one—only to pull the rug out from under you.
Take a look at characters like BEAST, ANGEL, or ICEMAN.
- BEAST could be grouped with "Types of Animals" or "Disney Princes."
- ANGEL often hides in a category about "Inverness" or "Ventura" (California cities).
- STORM is the ultimate bait for a "Weather Phenomena" category.
The term "X-Men NYT" has basically become shorthand for that specific moment of frustration when you realize your comic book knowledge is being used against you. It's not just a coincidence. The editors know that Gen X and Millennials grew up on the '92 animated series. They know we see the word "GAMBIT" and immediately think of a kinetic-charging Cajun, not a chess opening.
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Why X-Men Names Work So Well in Puzzles
The X-Men are unique because their names are almost all functional English words. Unlike the Avengers—where you have "Thor" or "T'Challa"—the X-Men use codenames that describe their powers or personalities. This makes them "polysemous," which is a fancy way of saying a word has multiple meanings.
In a recent 2025 Mini Crossword, the clue for LOGAN was simply "Wolverine’s alias in X-Men." Simple, right? But in Connections, seeing LOGAN next to words like UTAH or ROY might lead you toward "Succession" characters or "Western States."
Common X-Men Related Clues You’ll See
If you want to stop falling for the traps, you've gotta know the crossovers. Here are the most frequent X-Men names that pull double duty in the NYT ecosystem:
Wolverine
This is the big one. It shows up in sports categories (Michigan Wolverines) and animal categories. If you see it with BRUIN or BUCKEYE, don't go looking for Professor X.
Phoenix
Usually, this is a "City in Arizona" or a "Mythical Bird." If it's the X-Men version, it's almost always paired with Jean Grey or "Marvel Alter Egos."
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Cyclops
A frequent flyer in the Mini Crossword. The clue is often "One-eyed giant of myth." It’s a classic misdirect because your brain might jump to Scott Summers if you’ve been reading the latest Uncanny X-Men solicitations.
Professor X
Believe it or not, the "X" itself is a goldmine for constructors. It can stand for "Unknown Quantity" in math, "Rating for movies," or "Extra power" (which, fun fact, was Stan Lee's original 1963 explanation for the name).
How to Beat the NYT X-Men Traps
Look, I get it. You see COLOSSUS and you want to click it. But before you commit to a superhero theme, you’ve gotta scan the rest of the board.
The "Rule of Four" is your best friend here. If you can only find two X-Men (like BISHOP and ROUGE), they are likely part of different groups. BISHOP might belong in a "Chess Pieces" category, while ROUGE (not Rogue!) is probably sitting in a "Makeup Essentials" group. Yes, the NYT is that cruel—they will use a misspelling of a character name to trick you into a category you don't belong in.
The Evolution of Mutants in Media
It’s also worth noting why "X-Men NYT" is trending more now than it did five years ago. With the revival of X-Men '97 and the integration of mutants into the MCU, these characters are back in the cultural zeitgeist.
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When a topic is "hot," puzzle editors use it more. They want the puzzles to feel contemporary. If a new movie is coming out, expect to see MAGNETO or MYSTIQUE popping up in the Friday crossword. It’s basically free marketing for the film, and it makes the solver feel smart for knowing the reference—even if the answer is actually "Attracts metal" or "Air of mystery."
Actionable Tips for Your Next Solve
Ready to take on the NYT Games app tomorrow? Keep these insights in mind so you don't lose your streak to a mutant-themed decoy.
- Check for Mascots: If you see Wolverine, Storm, or any other X-Men name, immediately check for other college or pro sports teams.
- Look for Homophones: Names like JEAN (Grey) and GENE (Biology) are common crossover points.
- Count Your Heroes: If you find five potential X-Men, one of them is definitely a lie. The NYT always includes a "crossover" word that fits in two different categories.
- Study the Adjectives: Characters like UNCANNY X-Men or ASTONISHING X-Men often appear in categories about "Synonyms for Great."
The X-Men have been a staple of Marvel since Jack Kirby and Stan Lee birthed them in '63, but their second life as puzzle-room obstacles is just as fascinating. Next time you see CABLE in the grid, don't just think of the time-traveler with the metal arm. Think about your monthly internet bill. Your solve time will thank you.
To stay ahead of the curve, try running through a list of common "Double Meaning" names like FORGE, JUBILEE, and HAVOK before you start your next daily puzzle. Knowing the dual identities of these words is the only way to truly master the NYT games.