It is time to come up with the name of your brand or, in your case, your artist name. It's important not to overthink this. Everything is weird until it's not! If you already have an artist name, you might want to skip this chapter.
What Makes a Good Artist Name?
- Easy to spell and pronounce
- Unique enough to search online
- Available as a domain and social handles
- Represents your brand identity
- Sounds good when announced on stage
How to Choose Your Name
Start by writing down a few options that come to mind. Ask for feedback from other people. Check the internet if all web pages and social media channels are still available. Check if it's easy for people to say and write.
Before committing to a name, search it thoroughly. Check social media, streaming platforms, and trademark databases. You don't want legal issues later.
Don't Overthink It
Since many people tend to overthink this, I would like to highlight this: everything is weird until it's not. This means everything you come up with sounds weird in the beginning because it's new. People don't like new things because they cause change, and they don't like change; it takes them out of their comfort zone, which is not what most people want.
Do you think the name 'Apple' didn't sound weird when they started the company? A name grows on you along the way. It's not about the name; it's about what the name represents.
Real Artist Name Transformations
Artists also tend to tweak their names to make them sound more exciting. Here are some examples of how successful artists transformed their names:
So don't overthink it! Pick something that feels right, then focus on making great music—that's what will make your name memorable.
Testing Your Name
Say your potential name out loud. Imagine a festival announcer saying 'Please welcome to the stage...' followed by your name. Does it work?