The Most Difficult Decision?

Picking a name is harder than writing a song. Your artist name is your brand, your URL, and your first impression. It needs to be memorable, searchable, and unique.

5 Strategies for Generating Names

1. The "Childhood Nickname" Method

Many famous artists (like Kygo or Avicii) used variations of nicknames or online handles. Is there a name your family called you? Or a Gamertag you've used for years?

2. The "Dictionary Dig"

Open a random page in a dictionary (or Wikipedia) and point. Combine two unrelated words to create powerful imagery.
Examples: Neon Trees, Glass Animals, Arctic Monkeys.

3. Misspelling for SEO

If you choose a common word like "Weekend," nobody will find you. But spell it The Weeknd, and you own the search results. Removing vowels (MSTRKRFT, SBTRKT) is a classic electronic music trope.

4. Translate It

Take a word that describes your sound (e.g., "Dusk", "Wave", "Night") and translate it into Latin, Japanese, or French. It often sounds more mysterious and "artistic."

The "Spotify Test": Checking Availability

Before you fall in love with a name, you MUST check if it's taken.

1. Spotify & Apple Music: Search the name. If there is already an artist with that exact name, do not use it. Spotify often merges profiles of artists with the same name, causing a nightmare for your distribution.
2. Instagram & TikTok: Can you get the handle? `@YourNameMusic` or `@ItIsYourName` are acceptable alternatives if the clean handle is taken.
3. Google: What comes up? If the name is shared by a prescription drug or a politician, pick something else.

Using Name Generators

Stuck? Try AI tools. While often silly, they can spark ideas.

• BandNameMaker: Good for random two-word combos.
• ChatGPT: Ask it for "10 moody, one-word artist names for a minimal techno producer." The results are surprisingly usable.