The Directors of the new American League franchise in Toronto announce the team will be known as the Blue Jays. The selection is made from a list of ten names presented by a 14-member jury that garnered their nominations from the 4,000 suggestions and 30,000 entries submitted in a “Name the Team” contest held by the club.

On August 12, 1976 — The Directors of the new American League franchise in Toronto announce the team will be known as the Blue Jays. The selection is made from a list of ten names presented by a 14-member jury that garnered their nominations from the 4,000 suggestions and 30,000 entries submitted in a “Name the Team” contest held by the club.

Source:
Baseball Reference August 12
National Pastime
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project
Replay The Game