25 Worst Original Names of Famous Bands

It’s one of the biggest decisions any band will face: what to call themselves. And yet, so many get it so wrong. Fortunately, for every group that comes up with a terrible name and sticks with it, there’s a band that comes up with a terrible name, plays a few shows under it, maybe releases a demo or even an album or two but then finally comes to its senses. Many well-known and successful groups – from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Green Day – have been through the latter growing pains, starting out life cursed with a misguided moniker before landing on a name destined to adorn the T-shirts of millions of devoted fans. The name makes the band, as they say; here are 25 bands that almost didn’t get made.

25. Tom and Jerry

24. The Square Roots

Final name: The Roots

23. Mookie Blaylock

Final name: Pearl Jam

22. On a Friday

Final name: Radiohead

Final Name: The Cure

20. Smile

Final Name: Queen

19. Atomic Mass

Final Name: Def Leppard

18. Kara’s Flowers

Final Name: Maroon 5

17. The Pendeltons

16. Sweet Children

Final name: Green Day

15. Mr. Crowe’s Garden

Final name: The Black Crowes

14. The Band Aid Boys

Final name: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

13. The Young Aborigines

Final name: Beastie Boys

12. Wicked Lester

Final name: Kiss

Final name: Pink Floyd

10. Soft White Underbelly

Final name: Blue Öyster Cult

9. The Salty Peppers

Final name: Earth, Wind and Fire

8. Pud

Final name: Doobie Brothers

7. Burn the Priest

Final name: Lamb of God

6. Rainbow Butt Monkeys

Final name: Finger Eleven

5.The Shrinky Dinks

Final name: Sugar Ray

4. Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem

Final name: Red Hot Chili Peppers

3. The Polka Tulk Blues Band

Final name: Black Sabbath

2. The Golliwogs

Final name: Creedence Clearwater Revival

1. Naked Toddler

Final name: Creed

Read more