
As of now though, "Fiji" and "Phi Gam" are considered by the fraternity to be the only appropriate nicknames for Phi Gamma Delta members on the international scale, though local nicknames related to a chapter's Greek name or other colloquialisms do exist. Prior to its formal appropriation by the organization at large, nicknames for members of the fraternity varied greatly ranging from "Phi Gamm" and "Delta" by brothers across the nation, "Fee Gee" in New York, and "Gammas" in the South. It was officially adopted by the national fraternity at the 1894 convention in the belief that the term would be distinctive and appeal to the imagination.

The Fiji nickname started at New York University as a suggested name for the Fraternity magazine (Fee Gee). In place of the actual Greek letters, "Fiji," "Phi Gam," or the English spelling "Phi Gamma Delta" is used in their place. Whereas other fraternities often display their letters on clothing or other items, this tradition prevents Fijis from doing so. The fraternity instructs its members to consider the letters sacred and to never display them on an object that can be easily destroyed.

The society they formed was initially called "The Delta Association". Six college students gathered in a dormitory room (known by the students as "Fort Armstrong") to establish a secret society. The organization was founded on April 22, 1848, at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. See also: Greek organizations at Washington & Jefferson College

The nickname FIJI is used commonly by the fraternity due to Phi Gamma Delta bylaws that limit the use of the Greek letters. Since its founding in 1848, the fraternity has initiated more than 196,000 brothers. Along with Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Gamma Delta forms a half of the Jefferson Duo. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848. Phi Gamma Delta ( ΦΓΔ), commonly known as Fiji, is a social fraternity with more than 144 active chapters and 10 colonies across the United States and Canada. Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity house at University of California, Berkeley Alpha Omega Chapter house at Ohio University. Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
