spur your naming efforts, here’s a list of band names, along with how they were devel-
oped, courtesy of our friends at Wikipedia.
- ABBA—a palindromic acronym from the initials of the first names of the band mem-
bers: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
- AC/DC—Malcolm and Angus Young developed the idea for the band's name after see-
ing "AC/DC" on an electric sewing machine. - Alice Cooper—Alice Cooper was a band before one of its members started a solo ca-
reer under the same name. Allegedly, Alice Cooper was the name of a spirit members of
the band came in contact with through a ouija. - Alice in Chains—A parody of Alice in Wonderland, implying sadomasochism.
- The B-52's—from the name of a beehive hairstyle, itself named for the Boeing B-52
Stratofortress. - Backstreet Boys—named after a flea market in Orlando, Florida.
- Badfinger—originally called "The Iveys" after a street in Swansea, Wales. Once the
band was signed to Apple Records by The Beatles the band took the opportunity to
change their name. The name "Badfinger" was derived from "Bad Finger Boogie," the
working title of The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends". - The Band–They were originally known as The Hawks, after their original lead singer
Ronnie Hawkins. While working with Bob Dylan in the 1960s, they decided to change
their name, but were unable to agree on a new name. They finally decided to simply call
themselves "The Band" after being derisively referred to as "the band" by critics of Dy-
lan's new electric direction on the 1966 tour.