Band Name Generator

The truth is, anything can be a band name. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that anything should be. Below, we’ll guide you through the process of choosing a name for your band, whether it's real, fictional, or still in the works. There aren’t rules you have to follow, and we’ll be the first to tell you that there are no wrong choices. But, we’ll still outline the strategies and best practices that could lead you to the perfect band name.

Choose something meaningful. This isn’t a requirement, but it’s a helpful kernel to begin with. A place, person, idea, or thing that’s important to you and your bandmates can blossom into a great name. For example, Fontaines D.C. are all from Dublin City, which is where “D.C.” comes from. Including elements of a deeper meaning can make your band name feel more personal and powerful. It can also help listeners get behind your band’s story and background. On the flip side though, the band Black Country, New Road found their name via a random name generator (like this one!), so deeper meaning is absolutely not a requirement.

Choose something that sounds cool. This one is pretty simple. At the end of the day, bands are about the vibes . You want a band name that's as undeniable as your music is. Cool is subjective though, just like art, music, lyrics, and everything else your band is or will be working on. So don’t get bogged down worrying about what other people might think is cool—choose something that sounds good to you, and that’s a great start.

Choose something that creates the right feeling. Your name can deliver a direct message about your band: its style, genre, goal, everything. This is where you'll need to employ some creativity. Does your band play rock music? You might choose something with a punchy, direct tone. Are you a light folk band? You might go with something airy and sweet. On the flip side, if your goal is to surprise your audience and subvert your expectations, you could do the opposite: Kiss plays heavy metal, making the sweet, simple band name immediately interesting to listeners.

Start from a familiar template. Have you ever noticed that many band names tend to follow familiar patterns? To kick off your band name search, try using a popular template. Here are some common ones to try out:

• The [Noun] : The Cure , The Fray , The Smile , The Beatles
• [Noun]: Geese , Queen , Oasis , Cream
• [Adjective] + [Noun or Name] : Good Charlotte , Steely Dan , Pink Floyd , New Radicals
  • It’s also common to throw “The” in front of this format (for example, The Beach Boys )
• [Word one][Word two] : Supertramp , Radiohead

But there are so many others, of course! These popular formats can be a helpful starting point, but plenty of successful bands deviate and find amazing names: Rage Against The Machine , AC/DC , and so many more.

Choose something catchy, clear, and pronounceable. This is optional, but it can help your band catch fire. If you have the option to choose a name that’s easy to say, read, and see the appeal, that can give your popularity a boost in the early days. Imagine leaning over to your friend to tell them that you heard a great song written by ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead . It might not exactly roll off the tongue. But on the other hand, that’s actually the name of an amazing, very successful band...which leads us to our last piece of advice:

Choose a name that feels right. Ultimately, you’re doing something creative, artistic, and personal to you and your bandmates. The best name will always be the one that resonates most with you. Trust your gut, just like you would when writing a lyric or penning a melody. We’re rooting for you!