I started a garage band with my friends a few years ago. While it never ended up working out, we had a lot of fun playing together.

How to Name a Band

Naming a band is one of the hardest things to do. I know many of you think that a name will just come naturally but it is not that simple. A name can make or break a band, even at the local level. Naming your group is one of the first things you do once you're ready to leave the garage and start playing and recording music.

It is important for the group to come to a decision on a name that everyone is satisfied with. Also, keep in mind how you might draw a logo to distinguish your group and how your name will sound. A catchy-sounding name that rolls of the tongue can help you get more notoriety and stand out from the competition.

One of the easiest ways to come up with a band name is to look at the music and lyrics of some of your favorite bands. Look at album titles, song names, and certain phrases in lyrics. Typically you will find something that could work as a band name. You can use this approach for movies and books as well: look for names or bits of text/dialog that would work.

Another option is to use an online name generator, like this one. While most of the suggestions are not useful, if you continue to change the inputs, you will eventually wind up with some workable band names.

Band Names and Google

This is the most important step, as you have to make sure your band name is easily searchable on Google and other search engines. If you have an odd name or a super common name, it will be impossible for fans to find you online. For example, the band Chvrches uses the Latin "v" instead of the English "u" for this very reason. If they had written their name as simply churches, you would never be able to find them online.

How to See If a Band Name Is Already in Use

You can cause a lot of confusion and get into legal trouble if you use the name of an already-established band. There are a few simple steps you can take to check the status of a band name.

• Facebook: You can do a custom search on Facebook to see if there are bands currently using your name. If you see none or very few bands using your ideal name, that is a good sign for you.
• Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other music streaming apps: Search music streaming platforms for your proposed band name and see what comes up. Keep in mind you're looking for the artist's name, not the album name. If you don't find anything or you find something with very few listens and no following you may be in luck.
• Google: Use a search engine (Google is the best for this) and see what comes up. Most bands have some sort of website now so if you search for "band name + band" you should be able to see any other groups out there using that name.

What to Do If Your Band Name Is Already in Use?

It's quite possible that your ideal band name is already being used by a group and since you can get in a sticky legal situation for having the same name, you will have to find a workaround.

The most common way around this is to take your ideal band name and add a number or series of numbers to it. The most famous example of this is Blink-182, who were forced by their label to change their name from Blink, which was already in use by another band. By adding on the number 182, they were able to avoid any legal troubles with the other band.

If that is not something you would want to do, finding a similar-sounding name or adding on an additional word can also work quite well. However, keep in mind that it has to be enough of a difference so people do not confuse you with other bands.

How to Come Up With a Great Band Name

How to Trademark a Band Name

This is a step for you to take later on in your band's career. If you get to the point where you are attracting a significant fanbase and becoming popular, you will want to check to make sure your band name is not trademarked already. Keep in mind this only applies to the trademark in the United States.

1. Decide what you want the trademark to cover: It will cost additional money if you trademark the name for things beyond just live shows: merchandise, licensing, and similar things all have separate trademarks. Keep in mind that your music rights are a different thing and if you want to register as a songwriter, you will need to go through a different process.
2. Decide who will own the trademark: Typically bands will split ownership equally so you will have to jointly file the application.
3. Search the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS): You can look up trademarks via the government's online database. Be sure to look for the name and the associated trademark. If the name is not trademarked for anything music-related, you are good to go ahead and file.
4. Submit your application online: Go to the United States Patent and Trademark Office website and submit your application and pay the associated fees. You will also be able to check on the status of your application throughout the process.

Need Awesome Band Name Ideas?

This list was actually started several years ago when four friends and I bought some used musical instruments at a garage sale—we were convinced we were going to be the next Rolling Stones or AC/DC. Even though we sounded terrible, we spent hours trying to come up with a good name for the band and our little notebook became quite full of possibilities.

Certain things happened in our lives that derailed that dream (fate, perhaps), but I kept the notebook as a memory. Years later, I found it while digging through some things, and those memories came pouring back. Now, instead of throwing the band names back into storage, I've decided to share them with the rest of the world. I hope visitors will find this article useful and while you may not find the perfect band name, maybe the least you'll get from the list is some inspiration to come up with a good name. After all, any band knows that a band ain't a band unless it has a good name, right?

Good luck!

An Extensive List of Band Name Ideas

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2012 danthemans lm

Have any band names that you'd like to share? Please do, below!

None you bussiness on August 26, 2020:

same i am in a band at 12

Name? on August 15, 2020:

I’m 12 in a band struggling on a band name. Rock band bit of metal. Any suggestions?

I Need Help! on August 01, 2020:

I feel like all of us are girls (at least the first couple comments) and I'm 10, my two friends are 11 and 12. We're thinking of doing a pop-rock band, but obviously we don't want to be called Poprocks even though that's kind of clever. Please help!

pls help on July 24, 2020:

need a band name for me and my friend, both girls, both age eleven

Band names are not what I wanted can you add more on July 23, 2020:

The band names are GREAT but not what I wanted I have a band of three girls and we are not girly have some goodmonesmfor girls but that are not girly THANK YOU

Merle on July 16, 2020:

For “I don’t have a band name but need one”: The Four Girls is good but a bit bland, try The For Girls. A pun as if it’s 4 girls, and it’s FOR girls

Don't have a band name and need one on July 11, 2020:

I need a band name please help me and my band we were thinking about The Four Girls but Idk

Idk on July 02, 2020:

Hi I’m a poo

Idk on June 30, 2020:

We started a band with 6 people in it 3 girls and 3 boys and it seems we cant find the right name.

anthony on June 24, 2020:

hey i need a band name that would sound creepy. we do metal punk rock and a little thrash

Aizen on June 22, 2020:

I need a sweet and good band name can any people gives me sme idea.

Justin on June 21, 2020:

Try this names:

The Records

Rhythm

Oblivion

Sonic 5

8 Letters

Chroma

Dreamers

Blue Chlorine

Astro Music

nish on June 19, 2020:

i wanna a start a band with 4 girls

Noa on June 17, 2020:

I just started a band, were with four girls and one guy. We rlly need a name tho...

H on June 11, 2020:

If you have to look up how to name your band, I feel sorry for you

Cris 1351 on June 08, 2020:

i Like the name crazy spirits plz no one else use that name and a good name for a band is B.E.A.T.

Layla on June 08, 2020:

Hi I have a band of 4 girls were in grade six and we need a band name does anybody got an idea?

And a cool name is crazy spirits or ricochet.

Bread :3 on June 05, 2020:

So were a band of 3 girls, and we couldn’t decide what we should call our band, does somebody have ideas

Someone from Somewhere on June 03, 2020:

I have a band of five girls and have no clue what to call it. Our friends say we have a big future so we need a name. Five girls in high school, rebellious! someone help.

Zoe MS on May 28, 2020:

No Clue

Anonymous on May 20, 2020:

Dynamic

it means we have good chemistry

Strik on May 18, 2020:

I have this band strik and the band names kinda sound liek album names for silly bands like mine.I wouldn't say its helpful but hey its cool.

and btw imma fire Biff From my Band due to copyright reasons

Too personal on May 15, 2020:

I thought maybe Kool Kids or Krazy Kids by the way right now me and my band are not successful we are called BFF band right now but we want a name that people will want to listen to their music and the only good song we have our musicians are not even in it

shelby dietz on May 08, 2020:

how do you find band names

Joe mama on April 29, 2020:

It’s good for your mom

BdayMassacreFan on April 22, 2020:

Those names sound nice tbh. I have already came up with a band name. My band is called The Scaredy Children, and we are a project I started on YouTube. We're also a British-American electronica/gothic rock duo as of now, consisting of me & my YT friend vibrational keys. Check us out if you want. We are currently working on our debut album, so please wish us luck :)

me on April 21, 2020:

i told my friend we should start a band i thought either Queen Bees or Hot messes

Joshua pagán on April 16, 2020:

2 degrees Celsius

Admin on April 15, 2020:

Need abetter and unique name for band of boys and girls

Bibek on April 02, 2020:

Names are good but

Not so attractive and simple

I need simple unique and atractive band name

(Anonymous) on March 30, 2020:

These names are good but I want more rock into the names not a name like mashing gun villains.

darcee on March 30, 2020:

i need a band name like 5 sconds of summer

Jeongiee on March 28, 2020:

These are cool names but I’m looking for something soft and cutesy with a meaningful behind it, I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a cool band name :]

Jak on March 19, 2020:

Bloodbath already exists

death leaf on March 19, 2020:

I think it is a good name because there is a movie on st. patrikcs day

RoseMartin22 on March 09, 2020:

The Enders becuz no one can end me

Sandy on March 06, 2020:

How about one that Rock’n Poppin?

lil cee on March 01, 2020:

I love this name cauz its inspired my life

Bob on February 29, 2020:

The real magma

no on February 27, 2020:

electric ham ;)

on February 25, 2020:

My band name is going to be high school musical

Sagan's limelight. Or Sagan's dawn's. on February 25, 2020:

A band name must be something really wierd to hear in peoples ears.

We are a fun hardrock band. on February 05, 2020:

These were the final names that we didnt use.

"Screamin Semen"

"Socially Misaligned"

"Missile Pushers"

"Anatomic Flaws"

"APB"

"Mind Pop"

"Psycho Down"

"Soul Psychos"

Make sure bandmates agree on any name you choose, dont be changing it once your know as it.

Your band name should fit your attitudes and your genre.

Peace

DB

The Forgotten Stars on February 04, 2020:

This was my band name but it never worked out so I'm letting others take this name. :)

Khai from vietnam on January 21, 2020:

Knight's darkness =))) that sound really cool

Phyllis O' Fickle on January 13, 2020:

My band is called Jesus Buttwipe. We are punk. Your names would be good for cover bands.

koo koo klan on January 09, 2020:

you could do anti racist jokes. and if you have a good sense of humer altho its not funny what they did

Una on December 30, 2019:

I would like to make a kpop bamd with my best friend Sophie ans I'm curios about the names

Zombie killers on December 14, 2019:

The names wer ensiering

Food on December 14, 2019:

Food

freddie mercury on December 13, 2019:

queen

SoMeOnE on December 08, 2019:

OutBreak

For Sure

pierce on December 03, 2019:

awesome aces

on December 03, 2019:

Uhhhhh Algorithm Has Been My Music Name Wtf Fuu Take Someone Else’s Name And Erase Mine Gmfu

Unheard Original. on November 30, 2019:

Every time I looked up in the name it was either a book poem or a bad meaning or an actual band I would suggest (if I was you) search up the names before you put them up there for people to use

Not Yet on November 30, 2019:

I think miujik can be a great band name.

Tiny piece of cheese on November 24, 2019:

I mean I think Leftover waffles would be good rn because I just ate some waffles

Pepper on November 24, 2019:

I think Unchained would be a good band name because no one can chain me or keep me away from making my own decisions exept for my mom

Tony Donovan on November 13, 2019:

Check out this Band Name Generator for some ideas :)

https://generatorfun.com/metal-band-name-generator

Scott on November 07, 2019:

I always thought IDLE WILD ! good band name !!!

Peter on October 26, 2019:

I came up with Lethalized and I thought it sounded pretty good

Skimp on October 14, 2019:

The leftovers is my bands name

ParkerBoiii on October 10, 2019:

I am thinking about Royal or Zoners

the phoenix on October 09, 2019:

the phoenix seems like a cool band name (any one feel free to use it for your band me and my band is still trying to figure something out)

Brooklyn morten on September 27, 2019:

I was thinking about unstable trio for my group or you can use duo or whatever

Marshals on September 25, 2019:

Anyone think this is good

annoyed on September 14, 2019:

I need pop, not rock ugh

billy edwards on August 21, 2019:

yes!!! Now my band is called The Yub Yubs, thank you, I would never have been able to do this by myself. THANK THANK YOU THANK YOU, I can almost taste the fame

J on August 14, 2019:

My idea is sneaking quietly

No name on August 12, 2019:

I like nuclear nation my mascot is a skull breatheing blue fire and is on fire. So it is sort of nuclear. Has anyone else went to the Chicago misfits reunion concert. It was amazing

^ on August 08, 2019:

Suspicion and waffles

/ on August 01, 2019:

I am not a big fans of any of these names

Lyric on July 21, 2019:

I am black so I was thinking blackbirds or something…

Jsjnsnsn on July 18, 2019:

Why do people post their band names on here but then say don’t steal them

Jay on July 10, 2019:

I was thinking On the River Styx but idk

Darya on July 07, 2019:

Awesome did you come up with all of them

Josh Demasi on July 06, 2019:

Don't steal these please:

1.My shouty Romance

2.Less Smiles

3.Heart Failure

4Odd ones

5.Pool of blood red hearts

6.Deep Abyss

7.Today Kid

Chris Vanheusen on July 06, 2019:

What about the name...Mistreater?

I think that would be a pretty cool name for a band, idk

Kenster500 on July 01, 2019:

THE UNDERTAKERS " We'll keep an eye on your dead ones! Hahaha..."

Nicø Tyler on June 26, 2019:

Gabi Cake, maybe Show Offs in Yellow?

Gabi Cake on June 21, 2019:

I was think show off or yellow jackets which one????

mettle detector on June 21, 2019:

iron lightning

Robert Willoughby on June 16, 2019:

Albion Lowlander. The name of a bus that was sold in Britain during the 60s. Not very successful, but the first bus I remembered as a child. Feel free to pinch - it's not as though I'll be using it!

Sam on June 15, 2019:

I got wet paint don’t steal it

Rhianna on June 11, 2019:

The Crazy heros of mars. Please dont steal my name

None on June 10, 2019:

The Future girls don't take my band name

Someone on June 06, 2019:

I’m just doing this for fun

Amber on May 24, 2019:

I have to do a band project thing for school i was going to make it "Why Don't we" but thats OG

Kole on May 24, 2019:

i was thinking Stamina For Free ? i don't know if it sounds good or not

Hey on May 20, 2019:

Maybe a band name like girls go fire or the rock group or fire

Steven on May 19, 2019:

Tramatized mule. Spinup the dead

addison on May 18, 2019:

i'm starting a band with four girls and don't know if we should use the name

Heatstroke

or

Hot Mess

pls tell me which is better

splat face on May 18, 2019:

i think its a good name idk tho

Hahaha on May 09, 2019:

What about Robolands

Or

The Wonderlands

luke on May 03, 2019:

im starting a band with my friends were called The Lost Jems or TLJ for short

Trident Tamang on April 30, 2019:

Evil ox spit

Stoned deaf

Smoking cigarette

M on April 14, 2019:

Tarantula Meat sounds like a good band name for maybe an indie rock/alt/punk band thingy.

Abud on April 13, 2019:

Hi my name is Abud and I’m just starting a band and if anyone who is new I’m always available to put more people in my band

jef on April 07, 2019:

could I have outbreak

mk on April 04, 2019:

my band name is called triad cos theres hree of us