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How to choose a band name
By BandManager · 2 min read ·
The name is the first thing a booker reads and the last thing you want to change once you have an audience. Choosing well at the start saves you a lot of trouble.
What makes a name good
- It sticks: short, with rhythm, easy to say out loud.
- It spells itself: someone who hears it at a gig can search for it without a mistake.
- It can be found: it does not get confused with other bands, people or common words.
- It fits your music without boxing you in: in five years you may sound different.
Checks before you decide
- Search it on Google in quotation marks and on Spotify: if a band already uses it, drop it.
- Check the handle is free on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, or very close to it.
- See whether a domain is available, even with a small variation.
- Check your country’s trademark register in case someone already protects it.
- Ask five people what they understand when they read it and how they would spell it after hearing it.
Common mistakes
- Names so generic they are impossible to find in a search engine.
- Odd spellings, symbols or numbers nobody knows how to type.
- In-jokes only the band understands.
- Picking one without checking availability and finding out after the posters are printed.
Changing the name in time
If you realize the name is not working, change it as early as you can. The fewer listeners, followers and gigs you have under that name, the less it costs. Announce the change and keep the old name in your bio for a while.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trademark my band name?
Yes, as a trademark with your country’s intellectual property office. It is not required, but it protects you if another group starts using it. Consult a professional, as it depends on each case.
Does it matter if the name is in English or another language?
It matters that it fits your audience and can be pronounced. If you want to play abroad, check it does not mean something odd in another language.
What if another band uses the name in another country?
Better to avoid it. Even without a legal conflict, your results will get mixed up on music platforms and search engines.
Your band, well presented
In BandManager you keep your band’s name, press kit, repertoire and fan page in one place.
Keep reading
- How to make an EPK for your bandWhat to put in your band’s EPK (press kit), in which order and what to cut. With a one-screen layout, before-and-after examples and a checklist.
- How to design a gig posterWhat a gig poster needs, how to organize the information, which sizes to use and the mistakes that make nobody read it. With a checklist.
- How to collect fan emails for your bandWhy a mailing list is a band’s most valuable asset and how to build it: QR codes at gigs, an incentive, a short form and a first email.
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