These Top 5 Band Names Have Secret Meanings That May Shock You…

It's no surprise that everyone has a favorite band or artist that they can constantly listen to, but do you know the meaning behind your favorite band's name? Some band names have wild backstories, inside jokes, or meanings that fans never even notice. After digging into five bands with names that aren’t as simple as they sound, it's time to shed some light on the hidden stories behind them. Get ready to step out of the dark and find out what your favorite band’s name really means.

Why Do Bands Pick Weird Names Anyway?

Ever wonder why some bands choose names that make absolutely no sense at first glance? From inside jokes to random inspirations scribbled on napkins, a band’s name can come from pretty much anywhere. Sometimes it’s meant to stand out, sometimes it can be deeply personal, but other times it’s just plain weird.

Most fans jam out to their favorite bands without ever knowing the real story behind the name. It’s easy to sing along without a second thought. But once you find out the meaning, you might appreciate the band and their creative chaos even more.

#5: Air Supply

Still beloved internationally, Air Supply continues to tour the world. They regularly perform across the United Kingdom, North America, and Asia. Before you decide to purchase tickets to their next tour, you should know how the name “Air Supply” came to fruition. Graham Russel, the band’s singer-songwriter, producer, and guitarist, dreamt of a billboard with flashing lights all around it, and the words “AIR SUPPLY” could be seen in the center. Decades later, that dream-inspired name still perfectly captures the band's vibe that fans have loved for generations.

#4: Bad Company

No, the band did not get their name from the 1972 Jeff Bridges film, “Bad Company.” The band's vocalist, Paul Rodgers, said that he took the nickname from a book of Victorian morals. On one page, the book showed a picture of a child looking up at an unsavory character leaning up against a lamp post. The caption to this picture read, “Bad Company.”

#3: Blue Öyster Cult

If you are a fan of Blue Öyster Cult, you may know that the band has a fascination with the occult. And if you didn't know that, now you do. But after learning about Blue Öyster Cult’s occult interest, it's no surprise where their name came from. The band's manager, Sandy Pearlman, got the name from a combination of a recipe from a book about the occult. Very spooky.

#2: Cheap Trick​​

This one might be a little spookier than the meaning behind Blue Öyster Cult. The band Cheap Trick claims that they asked an Ouija board what they should call their band. The spirits respond, and supposedly they told the band, “Cheap Trick.” I guess we'll never know why the spirits chose that name.

#1: Foo Fighters

The term “Foo Fighter” was coined by the United States Air Force during World War II. It referred to strange phenomena or unidentified flying objects in the sky before it was later replaced by the acronym “UFO.” David Grohl, the band's lead singer, revealed that when he was first recording songs for the band, he was in the midst of a UFO phase. He later admitted that if he had known the weight of his decision and the success that the band would have, he might have thought about it more carefully.

What’s in a Name? More Than You’d Think

Band names might seem pretty simple at face value, but behind each one is a story, a spark of inspiration, or even a lucky dream. Next time you queue up your favorite playlist, take a second to wonder how those names came to be. You might uncover a fun fact to share with your friends. One thing’s for sure: whether it’s deep, silly, or random, a band’s name is often just the beginning of the story behind their music.

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