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There was a vote by the students during the 1975-76 school year, as I recall. I believe the five options on the ballot were Cardinals, Robber Barons, Sequoias, Trees (or maybe Redwoods, I'm not sure), and Space Cowboys. Robber Barons won. Sequoias and Trees (or Redwoods) were second and third, splitting the tree vote. The administration ignored the vote. I believe Griffins (or Gryphons) didn't become a contender until a couple years later.
Stanford wasn't called the Indians until the late 1920s. The Indians name was adopted officially in 1930. Before that, Stanford was called the Cardinal or the Cardinals (referring to the color), going back to the 19th century. Some examples:
From "The Games of California and Stanford" (1900) --
[Describing the first Big Game, in March 1892:]
On the next play the ball was given to Clemans whose name from that instant rang as a college hero. A dodge to the right, a burst of speed, a jab of the wicked straight-arm and he had crossed the last whitewashed line for the first touchdown! In the mad Cardinal five-minute celebration the goal was kicked. . . .
[Describing the second Big Game, in December 1892:]
Then the Cardinal backs knocked all the figures off the chess board by a series of runs which were positively electrifying. . . . After several quick exchanges of the ball following the opening play, the brunt of battle lay in California territory, with the sphere in Cardinal possession . . .
[Describing the 1894 Big Game:]
Stanford burst the heavens in shouts of victory. The game ended six to nothing in favor of the Cardinal . . .
From "The Cardinal Song" (c. 1904)
Let every man be singing while Stanford makes the score;
We've made a plenty of them and we'll make a plenty more.
We'll win greater glory than we have won before,
Down in the country of the Cardinal.
Then for the Cardinal give a cheer!
The Stanford spirit can know no fear!
Then all together, we shout it loud and clear:
"To victory! To vict'ry with the Cardinal!"
From "After the Game" (c. 1904)
Oh, I wish I had an ocean of rum, of sugar a million pounds,
The dear old Quad to mix it in, the chimney to stir it round;
I'd drink the health of the Cardinal, so glorious and so true,
And I'd join the rollicking chorus, "Down with the Gold and Blue."
"The Cardinal is Waving" (c. 1915)
The Cardinal is waving over the field;
Our men are fighting with the spirit that will not yield.
Rah, Rah, Rah! Farewell old Berkeley, we're after you,
Once again the Cardinal will whip the Gold and Blue!
From "The Story of the Axe" Appearing in the "Stanford Illustrated Review" (November 1927) --
The famous Stanford Axe, having long since passed out of active use, is now but a tradition. Formerly a weapon of the Cardinals, it is at present a trophy of the Bears. . . .
[Describing the theft of the Axe in 1899:]
In the confusion which followed, one of the Californians slipped away to the Alameda Ferry with the prize in his possession. He was here most ably assisted by a young co-ed in concealing the axe. She hid the object in the abundance of her skirts, which were typical of the period, and was allowed to pass unmolested. About forty-five minutes later the axe was secretly reposing in a California fraternity house, the Chi Phi. Stanford was down but not out. Learning where the axe was concealed, that night the Cardinal organized a mass attack and raided the house. But they could not find the axe as it was concealed in the piano. . . .
Excerpts from the Stanford Daily, April 4, 1930 (following the recovery of the Axe by the Immortal 21) --
While the Blue and Gold horde literally slumbered on its feet last night, a band of twenty intrepid wearers of the Cardinal whisked the precious implement from under the nose of the Berkleyans in whose possession it had rested since that fatal day in 1899, and brought it back to the Stanford campus. . . . Following is the order of events in the Cardinal triumph and the California catastrophe . . . Roaring through the night over East Bay sideroads; carrying their prize back through the gates from whence it came 31 years ago, an intrepid band of 21 Cardinal patriots made history for their Alma Mater. . . . "Give 'em the Axe," famous Stanford yell rang out with its original meaning for the first time in 30 years when 2000 Cardinals rallied before the Library Friday morning to celebrate the return of the historic weapon. . . .
From "The Stanford Axe" (1930) --
Pandemonium greeted the return of the Axe to Stanford. The speeding car arrived on the campus about half-past ten that night. . . . The party then proceeded to Sequoia Hall, home of most of the raiders. Cries of "We've got the Axe!" quickly brought out studying and sleeping students to learn the startling news. The Axe was taken into the lobby of the dormitory where eager Cardinals closely examined the famous trophy. . . . At Roble an impromptu rally was held --- the first Axe Rally at Stanford in thirty-one years. Closely guarded by husky Cardinals, the Axe was raised to view, running enthusiasm to fever pitch. . . . Headlines in the city papers featured a variety of remarkable stories. An account of the capture was also broadcast over the radio. Never before has any collegiate prank created such general interest in this section of the country. The return of the Cardinal's prodigal emblem easily rivaled the Big Game in interest.
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