Band Name Etymologies

Do you ever wonder how some bands come up with their band name? Here’s a few explanations:

ABBA-created with the first letter of each of the band members’ names (Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Anni), and put into a palindrome

AC/DC- this acronym was seen by two band members on an electric sewing machine

Anberlin-the lead singer says he wanted to name his first daughter Anberlin; he got this from a list of place he wanted to go: “and Berlin”

The Beatles-this band was going to call themselves “The Crickets” when they realized they could misspell “The Beetles” to imply the beats of the music

Foo Fighters-a term used by WWII pilots to warn against UFOs or mysterious aerial phenomena

Hootie and The Blowfish-named after two college friends of the lead singer; one looked like an owl and the other had puffy cheeks like a blowfish

Imagine Dragons-an anagram of God is in a manger

Jimmy Eat World-“Jimmy” is the guitarist’s younger brother who had a large appetite; the lead vocalist’s little brother drew a picture of Jimmy eating a globe and entitled it “Jimmy Eat World”

Lynyrd Skynyrd- named after a high school gym teacher or strictly enforced his school’s policy against boys having long hair; his name was Leonard Skinner

The Ramones- “The Ramones” was used as an alias by Paul McCartney when booking the band’s hotel rooms

Weezer-when the lead singer was little, Weezer was a nickname other kids called him because of his asthma