Band Name Generator

What’s in a name?

In this article we explore some of the best ways to get band name inspiration. We look at great band names from the past (and a few not so great ones too). Your band name should in some way hold the soul of your band. If it doesn’t feel right then it’s not. It’s something you have to own, you have to be proud of. More than that, it’s your brand, not just your band.

10 Top Tips for Naming your Band

1.Make it Original

Unless you’re a tribute band be you. You have your own sound, you have your own music, you should have name that says something about the kind of music you play, abut the kind of people you are.

2. Keep it Short

People have pretty rubbish memories in general. A long name, no matter how fun it is, is likely to be forgotten. One of my favourite bands at the moment is Rainbow Kitten Surprise. They’re an alternative/Indie band. Despite having such an implausibly lovable name it took me weeks before i could get it right, thinking ‘colourful kittens’, ‘rainbow surprise’ or any number of variations on their name. My friends still refer to them to me as ‘that band you like’.

3. Timeless

Something that plays upon current trends is likely going to no longer be trendy after a fairly short period of time. You don’t want to be looking at your name in a few years regretting it.

4. Be Google Friendly
By this i don’t necessarily easy to Google. Rather make sure that when you do google it weird, gross or otherwise remarkably unrelated things don’t show up. You don’t want t play a gig, have new fans go home and try and find out about you on the internet, only to accidentally search for porn.

5. Think about your Genre

What is your genre, is it acoustic folk, or heavy metal? The band Megadeath for example, would have difficulties if they produced country music, the name would be incredibly misleading. You want to pick a name that reflects the feeling, and soul of the music your produce.

6. Think About Names

I know that’s why you’re here. But I mean consider using, if not your name, then something like it. Bruno Mars for example (a.ka. Peter Gene Hernandez) chose this catchy name, and tricked us into believing it was his actual name. ‘Bruno’ was his nickname and he combined that with Mars because he is ‘out of this world’, his words. But also think Lorde, Taylor Swift, Chet Faker, Elton John.
If your name is a bit John Smith, think about your band, can you combine your names perhaps. ABBA, the classic Swedish pop band is an acronym of all the band members and it’s catchy. It’s short, easy to spell, fun to say. Fleetwood Mac is another example. A clever combination of band member names.

7. Your Bands Interests

Think about the interests of your band members. What’s something what stands out, a slightly odd obsession that someone has. Perhaps someone really likes peppermints – this is where the band The White Stripes got their name. The band The Beards, for example, have an obsession with beards. Would utilizing this interest work for your genre, would it be original, and importantly would it be timeless. You don’t want to be looking back at your name in a couple of years regretting your choice.

8. Animals

People love Animals the plethora of cute cat videos covering the Internet is testament to this fact. Another testament to this fact is the vast number of bands with animals in their names. For example: The Monkees, Animals, Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Glass Animals, Snoop Dogg, Alien Ant Farm, and Eagles to name just a few. Everyone of these uses an animal, but for each of them they use the animals differently, the animal reflects something about the bands music. The Monkees for example, they have a broad range of music, from psychedelic pop to folk/rock-ballads. Their music has an upbeat element to it that relates to the connotations implicit with the personification of Monkeys. The Eagles, a rock and roll band, selected an animal that was the very symbol of freedom in an era where rock and roll was all about rebellion, it was about breaking the mold, and yes, being free.

Another thing to remember is to try and be more creative, a little more original and descriptive that just The (Animal). This has been done a lot already. For example, ‘Bright Eyed Giraffes’ is a much more interesting name than ‘The Giraffes’.

9. Favourites Songs

Another popular tactic used by people is to think about songs they like. Songs with catchy names or great turns of phrase in the lyrics that might make good band names. One thing to remember with this though is to not choose a song that has heavily influenced your music. Doing that makes your name sound less original, and almost as if you are copying another band.

Radiohead for example is named after a song by Talking Heads. Panic! At the Disco is named after lyrics from The Smiths.

One last thing to avoid though is naming your band after songs from The Beatles or The Smiths. It’s been overdone and with their music so well known, it can be easily recognized. You would have much more luck with smaller less well-known bands that you like, but aren’t necessarily of the same genre as you.

10. Object, Nature, Place, Event

Pretty much anything can turn into a good band name. Thinking about where you come from, the roots of your music, or even the place of your first gig might give you a few ideas to start off with. New York Dolls, for example. A simple place name paired with ‘Dolls’. The use of Dolls is actually in direct opposite to their music style, implying a much more poppy style aimed at younger girls. This then is an ironic use of the word, which is catchy and memorable.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, is an example of a band taking an item, A chili pepper and making it more interesting with descriptive language. The name suggests their music is hot stuff. Its easy to remember, catchy, perhaps a bit long though.