Selecting a memorable artist name is an essential step for many musicians. Does your given name have a disconnect with your persona on stage? Assembling your first album and want to incorporate a new name as part of a branding exercise? Perhaps you’ve been recording for a while and simply want a change of identity to recognize a shift in musical styles. Understanding how to choose an artist name is incredibly important for independent musicians, with the right one helping you stand out in a competitive industry and create a performance persona that’s perfectly aligned with the kind of music you’re putting out there.
Need some tips for choosing a stage name that’s going to get you noticed? Below, we’ll take a look at the importance of choosing a unique artist name, delve into the details of creating one, and common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid when choosing your new pseudonym.
Importance of a Memorable Artist Name
The music industry is incredibly competitive, making it all the more important that you stand out with a unique artist name. A memorable name makes you far more recognizable to fans and new listeners, helping to boost your listenership.
What’s more, a great artist name is a powerful tool for branding for musicians. It’s a reflection of who you are as an artist, your overall personality, and the kind of music you’re making. Your name should bring synergy to your brand as you establish yourself as an artist, not confuse it.
Steps to Choosing the Perfect Artist Name
Sometimes, a great idea just clicks into place. However, for most people, creating a memorable artist name is far from straightforward. Struggling to come up with a killer handle as your career takes shape? Hitting a brick wall in the hunt for brilliant brand name ideas? Not to worry. By taking a step back and approaching things methodically, it’s relatively easy to single out the perfect name. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most important stage name tips to consider when choosing your artist alias.
Brainstorming
Not sure where to start when naming your music project? First, you’ll need some loose ideas that can be played around with. Brainstorming comes in handy here. Struggling to select a handle that will click with your target fanbase? There are a few different approaches you can take:
- Take your inspiration from the genre you operate in.
- Look at your musical influences and see what’s working for them.
- Draw upon personal experiences if you’re after a bespoke band or artist name.
Have your brainstorming sessions hit with a bump in the road? If you’re finding it tricky to coax out any more raw ideas and concepts, turn to handy online tools like brand name generators as a neat workaround. Although some of these will deliver suggestions that are way off the mark, a brand name generator can also offer up some interesting concepts you might want to keep hold of and work with.
Research
By now, you might have shortlisted a few musician name ideas that are perfect for your branding. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll actually get to use any of them. The first step in securing your dream artist name is to check to see if it’s currently in use to avoid any legal issues and trademarking disputes. A simple Google check won’t do here. To be completely sure you’re not going to run into any challenges, you’ll need to carry out checks elsewhere:
- In the United States, you’ll need to check with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database.
- In the United Kingdom, you’ll need to head to Companies House.
- Online brand registries are also worth investigating if you want to avoid picking a name that’s too similar to an established artist.
You’ll also need to think about maintaining an online presence as an artist. Just because another musical act isn’t using the same name, doesn’t mean someone else isn’t using it for something else. Conduct a thorough search to see if you’re going to be able to use your preferred name across key social media platforms, as well as a domain name.
Considerations
At this point, you’ve probably whittled down artist name ideas to a single handle that works for you. However, it might not work for everyone. In many cases, artist and band names require a little tweaking before they’re finally ready. How well aligned with your chosen genre is your artist name? Arguably more importantly, do you have a name that will resonate with your target audience? If there’s still any disconnect, some final adjustments might be required.
With few exceptions, simplicity tends to be the best way forward when selecting a stage name. A short and snappy name that leaves a big impression is a far smarter choice than something overly long and complicated. For maximum impact, stick to around two syllables, with a memorable mantle more likely to resonate with your target audience. What’s more, names should be easy to pronounce, allowing you to connect with target demographics and non-native speakers alike.
Testing
Now you’ve got your artist name locked down, you can start testing the waters to see what people have to say about it. Reach out to friends for quick and honest feedback, then start connecting with industry peers for better insights. Fellow musicians will prove particularly, giving you valuable insights into what has and hasn’t worked for them.
Furthermore, it doesn’t hurt to conduct a common-sense check. How does your artist or band name sound when read aloud? Does it roll off the tongue easily or is it a little awkward-sounding? If so, it might be time for a revision. Additionally, you’ll want to review your stage name for any unintended meanings. There’s always a chance the perfect name might have embarrassing connotations in some parts of the world.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are many pitfalls associated with picking an artist name. To avoid landing yourself with an unsuitable handle, bear in mind the following:
- Avoid memes and of-the-minute words and phrases. These are going to date, leaving you with a stale-sounding artist alias.
- Steer clear of generic words. The more commonly-encountered words you use, the more likely it is they’ll cross over with other musician’s names.
- Think about searchability. Generic words can also cause issues for searchability, making it hard for fans to find you online.
- What about longevity? You might be head over heels for your artist name right now, but is it going to limit you in the long term?
- Flexibility. If you want the freedom to pivot toward new genres and get more experimental with your music in the future, you’ll want a name that accommodates this.
Examples of Successful Artist Names
Need some help finding your new musical pseudonym? You’re not short on inspiration when it comes to iconic names for musicians. Many of the world’s top artists go by monikers other than their real name, with some aliases more effective than others.
Take rapper and record producer Timbaland as an example. Born Timothy Zachery Mosley, Timbaland’s musical alias fuses the first syllable of his real name with a brazen nod to the instantly recognizable footwear and apparel brand, Timberland.
Then there’s Gene Hernandez. Not heard of him? You probably better know him as Bruno Mars. This prolific hit-maker adopted the childhood nickname “Bruno” for the first part of his artist name, with “Mars” being added on to make an impact.
Born Calvin Broadus Jr, Snoop Dogg is another artist with a legendary stage name that’s an affectionate nod to his childhood. Nicknamed “Snoopy” by his mother after the famous canine from Peanuts, it’s a surprisingly innocent pseudonym for an artist who’s been no stranger to controversy. Snoop Dogg is also an example of a musician who’s evolved their artist name over time. In 2012, Snoop Dogg would become Snoop Lion, with the name change part of a rebrand to usher in a temporary redshift toward the reggae genre.
Building Your Brand Identity with a Memorable Artist Name
Whether you’re a solo musician or a five-piece band, a great stage name can set you apart from the competition. An essential part of artist branding, the perfect pseudonym should recognize the genre you’re working within, the kind of music you’re creating, and your individual identity as an artist.
However, crafting a unique name isn’t always straightforward. You’ll want to avoid generic words and trendy phrases if you want a name that will stand the test of time. What’s more, it’ll help you avoid stage name clashes with other artists, while a more unique moniker will ensure new and existing fans have no trouble searching for your material online.
Brainstorming is a good first step in singling out an inspired artist name. Look to your chosen genre and musical influences for cues. Alternatively, take note from many established stars and look to childhood nicknames for inspiration. If you need help with ideation, online band generators can prove a useful tool. Just be careful to avoid picking a name that veers too close to one that somebody else is currently using. As well as enhancing searchability, a unique name will ensure you steer clear of any copyright and trademarking disputes.
Short and snappy tends to work best if you’re after an iconic name that your audience will have no trouble remembering. You also need to think about accessibility. Stick to fewer syllables for a name with big impact, and incorporate words that are easy to pronounce if you want to strike the right note with as many listeners as possible.
While it’s handy to have the perfect name picked out at the start of a career, bear in mind that musical styles and artist identities can evolve over time. As such, it makes sense to start out with a name that can be readily tailored as your musical preferences change. Of course, there’s no reason to rush into things. If you’re happy working under your real name for now, there’s always time to develop an artist name that’s perfectly suited to your identity later on.
Don’t miss a beat! Subscribe to our blog to stay in tune
