Best Rock Band Names

By bands, I mean rock, not pop groups, and this is about how cool the name is, not how great the band is.

The Top Ten
  1. Avenged Sevenfold

    Avenged Sevenfold is an American alternative metal band formed in 1999 in California. Their longest lineup consisted of M. Shadows (vocals), Synyster Gates (lead guitar), Zacky Vengeance (rhythm guitar), Johnny Christ (bass guitar), and The Rev (drums).... read more

    Avenged Sevenfold is a biblical term. Unlike Metallica, no one had thought about it before Metallica, and now they're one of the most popular bands of all time.

    They've more than lived up to their great name.

  2. Metallica

    Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

    I was actually thinking about Metallica being the best band name right before I came to this list! I must be lucky!

    I can't believe no one thought of it before Metallica. Simple but good.

    Metallica, surely the best name ever!

  3. Guns n' Roses

    Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. In addition to hard rock, they are also... read more

    They were a combined band, which is where the name came from. Slash and company were in a band called L.A. Guns, and then Axl Rose joined. They renamed the band, combining the previous band names.

    The name is just so iconic in the fact that it's catchy, and that the name is so contrary. It deserves to be number one.

    Seriously, Gun and Rose? Weapon and flower? It is the weirdest name ever. I hate Axl, I love Slash!

  4. Iron Maiden

    Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Their most critically acclaimed period is widely considered to be from 1983 to 1989, during which they released landmark albums like Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere... read more

    Iron Maiden was a torture device. Doesn't get much cooler than that.

  5. Slayer

    Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood, and are considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.... read more

    Slayer is a badass band name, unlike Megadeth. How is Death mega?

  6. Led Zeppelin

    Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass, keyboard), and John Bonham (drums). The band was largely the brainchild of Jimmy Page, who even financed their first tour... read more

    I'm currently forming a band, but the one thing we seem to be unable to do is name it. Whenever I think of a band, I like to use Led Zeppelin as the perfect example of a band name, because everything about it is perfect.

    You'd expect a band called Led Zeppelin to be hard rock, and they are the godfathers of hard rock. It rolls off the tongue well, unlike Avenged Sevenfold or Panic! At the Disco. It doesn't mean too much and isn't trying to be too deep like Pink Floyd. Both words work together and are pleasurable to hear, unlike Metallica or Creedence Clearwater Revival.

    It does everything right, and there isn't a thing you can say against it.

  7. Evanescence

    Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. The group rose to prominence in the early 2000s with their debut studio album Fallen (2003), which included the hit singles Bring Me to Life and My Immortal.... read more

    Evanescence is the best band ever, and they easily have the coolest name. They should definitely be on top. I don't have anything against Avenged Sevenfold, but come on, Evanescence is too awesome.

    Best name ever. Should easily be in the first position. Avenged Sevenfold is good but not as good as Evanescence.

  8. Black Sabbath

    Black Sabbath were a heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their self-titled debut album received mixed reviews, but they quickly gained a strong following... read more

  9. Rage Against the Machine

    Rage Against the Machine is an American rap metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1991. The lineup consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk.

    Their politically charged music, which blended rock, hip-hop, and funk, debuted... read more

  10. Nirvana

    Nirvana was an American grunge band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. The band consisted of Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Dave Grohl (drums), who joined in 1990. Nirvana disbanded following Cobain's death by suicide in 1994.... read more

    Disturbed, really? Really? Nirvana is a great name because it evokes a sense of peace, something that the band and its frontman never had during its short life.

    Nirvana is a great name, but why did they put this name at #6 on the worst band name list? I don't get it. But Nirvana is an awesome, cool name.

    One of the best band names, in my opinion!

  11. The Newcomers
  12. ?

    MDC

    Millions of Dead Cops, Millions of Dead Christians, Multi Death Corporation, Millions of Dead Children, Mega Death Corporation.

  13. ?

    Heart

    Heart is an American rock band that first found success in Canada before breaking through in the United States and internationally. Formed in the 1970s, the band is fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Heart is known for hits like Barracuda, Magic Man, and Alone.

  14. The Contenders
  15. Linkin Park

    Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), Emily Armstrong (vocals), and Colin Brittain (drums). Linkin Park... read more

    Did anyone know that it was originally Lincoln Park, but then the band got caught up in legal disputes, so they changed it to Linkin Park?

    During the concerts, it is fantastic to scream it!

  16. Disturbed

    Disturbed is an American alternative metal, nu-metal, and hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band consists of vocalist David Draiman, bassist John Moyer, guitarist Dan Donegan, and drummer Mike Wengren... read more

  17. Queen

    Queen is an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). Before Queen, May and Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury, a fan... read more

    I love how it's number 39, also, like the song. This is a name that is easily recognized and can be confusing. It was at first. Freddie was aware of what it sounded like but went with it anyway for his flamboyant attitude.

    It's the best name in the whole universe because it is the best band in the whole universe.

  18. Blind Guardian

    Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are widely credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing and incorporate extensive orchestral... read more

  19. Deep Purple

    Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are regarded as pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has changed over the years. They originally played progressive rock, but shifted to a heavier sound around 1970.... read more

  20. Pink Floyd

    Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They gained international acclaim with their innovative, conceptual music blending progressive rock and psychedelia. The classic lineup included Syd Barrett (vocals and guitar), David Gilmour (vocals and guitar), Nick... read more

    How is this not in the top 10? The greatest band name out there!

  21. Alice In Chains

    Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The band's most notable hits include "Man in the Box," "Down in a Hole," "Heaven Beside You," "No Excuses," "What the... read more

    What is more ironic and meaningful than "Alice In Chains"?

  22. Velvet Revolver

    Velvet Revolver was an American hard rock supergroup that formed in 2002. The band featured former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, along with guitarist Dave Kushner from Wasted Youth and vocalist Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots. The group released two albums and earned... read more

  23. Rise Against

    Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The current lineup includes Tim McIlrath (vocals, rhythm guitar), Zach Blair (lead guitar), Joe Principe (bass), and Brandon Barnes (drums). The band is known for blending a punk sound with politically and socially conscious... read more

  24. Audioslave

    Audioslave was an American rock supergroup formed in 2001 in Los Angeles, California. The band consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, along with Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello on lead guitar, Tim Commerford on bass and backing vocals, and Brad Wilk... read more

  25. Motley Crue

    Mötley Crüe is an American metal band formed in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, along with lead vocalist Vince Neil and lead guitarist Mick Mars. They are known for their hedonistic lifestyle and iconic albums such as Dr... read more

  26. Arctic Monkeys

    The Arctic Monkeys, also known by the pseudonym Death Ramps, are a British indie rock band formed in 2002 in Sheffield, England. The lineup includes Alex Turner (lead vocalist, songwriter, electric and rhythm guitarist), Jamie Cook (electric and rhythm guitarist, songwriter), Matt Helders (drummer,... read more

  27. Iron Butterfly

    Iron Butterfly is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1966. They are best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", which provided a dramatic sound that led the way towards the development of hard rock and heavy metal music.... read more

  28. Def Leppard

    Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

    The band rose to international fame with albums like Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987), the latter of which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. They were inducted... read more

  29. The Rolling Stones

    The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums).... read more

    Ladies and gentlemen, it's all about to happen: "Let's hear it for the fantastic Rolling Stones!" Awesome name.

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