Bands formed 1990–1999

90s band names

The 1990s were the decade of grunge and Britpop, boy bands and nu metal, and the names show it: Radiohead, Oasis, Foo Fighters, Backstreet Boys, Linkin Park, Destiny's Child.

Here are the best-known bands formed between 1990 and 1999, by genre, plus nineties-style ideas.

Try the band name generator

The 120 best-known bands formed in the 1990s

Ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover each band, a good proxy for worldwide fame.

  1. Lordi 1992 · pop metal · Finland
  2. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  3. Coldplay 1999 · alternative rock · UK
  4. 30 Seconds to Mars 1998 · progressive rock · US
  5. Rammstein 1994 · shock rock · Germany
  6. Spice Girls 1994 · europop · UK
  7. Oasis 1991 · neo-psychedelia · UK
  8. System of a Down 1994 · nu metal · US
  9. Maroon 5 1994 · funk rock · US
  10. Pearl Jam 1990 · hard rock · US
  11. The Prodigy 1990 · alternative dance · UK
  12. Backstreet Boys 1993 · contemporary r&b · US
  13. Lacuna Coil 1994 · alternative metal · Italy
  14. Slipknot 1994 · nu metal · US
  15. Black Eyed Peas 1995 · latin hip-hop · US
  16. Korn 1993 · nu metal · US
  17. Blink-182 1992 · pop-punk · US
  18. Daft Punk 1993 · synth-pop · France
  19. Rage Against the Machine 1991 · funk metal · US
  20. Sum 41 1996 · pop-punk · Canada
  21. Foo Fighters 1995 · post-grunge · US
  22. Limp Bizkit 1994 · nu metal · US
  23. Nickelback 1995 · post-grunge · Canada
  24. t.A.T.u. 1999 · lgbtq+ art · Russia
  25. Avenged Sevenfold 1999 · progressive metal · US
  26. The White Stripes 1997 · punk blues · US
  27. Burzum 1991 · dark ambient · Norway
  28. Children of Bodom 1993 · melodic death metal · Finland
  29. Sigur Rós 1994 · post-rock · Iceland
  30. Take That 1990 · funk · UK
  31. Destiny's Child 1990 · rhythm and blues · US
  32. Gorillaz 1998 · art pop · UK
  33. HIM 1995 · gothic rock · Finland
  34. The Rasmus 1994 · pop rock · Finland
  35. Tool 1990 · psychedelic rock · US
  36. Placebo 1994 · britpop · UK
  37. Garbage 1993 · alternative rock · US
  38. Snow Patrol 1994 · alternative rock · Scotland
  39. Keane 1995 · piano rock · UK
  40. Sabaton 1999 · power metal · Sweden
  41. The Strokes 1998 · post-punk revival · US
  42. Disturbed 1994 · nu metal · US
  43. Wu-Tang Clan 1992 · mafioso rap · US
  44. Ace of Base 1990 · music of sweden · Sweden
  45. Bullet for My Valentine 1998 · melodic metalcore · UK
  46. Weezer 1992 · nerd · US
  47. Three Days Grace 1992 · post-grunge · Canada
  48. Arch Enemy 1996 · melodic death metal · Sweden
  49. Simple Plan 1999 · pop-punk · Canada
  50. Kings of Leon 1999 · alternative rock · US
  51. Opeth 1990 · technical death metal · Sweden
  52. Good Charlotte 1996 · pop-punk · US
  53. In Flames 1990 · melodic death metal · Sweden
  54. Korpiklaani 1993 · humppa · Finland
  55. Papa Roach 1993 · rap rock · US
  56. Queens of the Stone Age 1996 · stoner rock · US
  57. Boyzone 1993 · popular · Ireland
  58. Enigma 1990 · new age · Germany
  59. Cradle of Filth 1991 · extreme metal · UK
  60. Hoobastank 1994 · alternative rock · US
  61. Jamiroquai 1992 · nu-funk · UK
  62. Portishead 1991 · electronica · UK
  63. Sonata Arctica 1996 · power metal · Finland
  64. Behemoth 1991 · blackened death metal · Poland
  65. DragonForce 1999 · speed metal · UK
  66. Amon Amarth 1992 · melodic death metal · Sweden
  67. Gojira 1996 · technical death metal · France
  68. Lamb of God 1994 · metalcore · US
  69. O-Zone 1999 · electronic dance · Moldova
  70. Sugababes 1998 · dance · UK
  71. Air 1995 · electronica · France
  72. Immortal 1990 · thrash metal · Norway
  73. 3 Doors Down 1996 · post-grunge · US
  74. Creed 1994 · post-grunge · US
  75. Godsmack 1995 · post-grunge · US
  76. Interpol 1997 · post-punk revival · US
  77. NSYNC 1995 · contemporary r&b · US
  78. OutKast 1992 · psychedelic rap · US
  79. Travis 1990 · post-britpop · UK
  80. HammerFall 1993 · power metal · Sweden
  81. Incubus 1991 · funk metal · US
  82. Kasabian 1997 · indie rock · UK
  83. Röyksopp 1998 · synth-pop · Norway
  84. The Verve 1990 · space rock · UK
  85. A Perfect Circle 1999 · alternative rock · US
  86. Anathema 1990 · death-doom · UK
  87. Billy Talent 1993 · post-hardcore · Canada
  88. Breaking Benjamin 1999 · post-grunge · US
  89. Ensiferum 1995 · folk metal · Finland
  90. Savage Garden 1994 · pop rock · Australia
  91. Scooter 1993 · rave · Germany
  92. TLC 1991 · contemporary r&b · US
  93. Atomic Kitten 1998 · pop · UK
  94. Okean Elzy 1994 · pop rock · Ukraine
  95. Emperor 1991 · black metal · Norway
  96. Kamelot 1991 · power metal · US
  97. Machine Head 1991 · thrash metal · US
  98. Mogwai 1995 · indie rock · UK
  99. OK Go 1998 · pop rock · US
  100. Rise Against 1999 · melodic hardcore · US
  101. Gorgoroth 1992 · black metal · Norway
  102. Hooverphonic 1995 · chill-out · Belgium
  103. Killswitch Engage 1998 · melodic metalcore · US
  104. Kinto Sol 1999 · latin hip-hop · Spain
  105. L'Arc-en-Ciel 1991 · indie rock · Japan
  106. Seether 1999 · post-grunge · South Africa
  107. Soulfly 1997 · groove metal · US
  108. The Libertines 1997 · indie rock · UK
  109. Trivium 1999 · melodic metalcore · US
  110. Finntroll 1997 · folk metal · Finland
  111. G-Unit 1999 · east coast hip-hop · US
  112. Lostprophets 1997 · pop-punk · UK
  113. Marduk 1990 · black metal · Sweden
  114. Soilwork 1996 · melodic death metal · Sweden
  115. Tristania 1997 · gothic metal · Norway
  116. Death Cab for Cutie 1997 · indie rock · US
  117. Eiffel 65 1997 · europop · Italy
  118. Enon 1999 · art rock · US
  119. Ladytron 1999 · synth-pop · UK
  120. Morning Musume 1997 · bubblegum · Japan

90s band names by genre

Notable acts from Wikidata, ranked by the number of Wikipedia language editions about them.

90s rock bands

  1. Lordi 1992 · pop metal · Finland
  2. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  3. Coldplay 1999 · alternative rock · UK
  4. 30 Seconds to Mars 1998 · progressive rock · US
  5. Oasis 1991 · neo-psychedelia · UK
  6. System of a Down 1994 · nu metal · US
  7. Maroon 5 1994 · funk rock · US
  8. Pearl Jam 1990 · hard rock · US
  9. The Prodigy 1990 · alternative dance · UK
  10. Blink-182 1992 · pop-punk · US
  11. Foo Fighters 1995 · post-grunge · US
  12. Nickelback 1995 · post-grunge · Canada
  13. The White Stripes 1997 · punk blues · US
  14. Gorillaz 1998 · art pop · UK
  15. HIM 1995 · gothic rock · Finland

90s metal bands

  1. Lordi 1992 · pop metal · Finland
  2. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  3. Rammstein 1994 · shock rock · Germany
  4. System of a Down 1994 · nu metal · US
  5. Lacuna Coil 1994 · alternative metal · Italy
  6. Slipknot 1994 · nu metal · US
  7. Korn 1993 · nu metal · US
  8. Rage Against the Machine 1991 · funk metal · US
  9. Sum 41 1996 · pop-punk · Canada
  10. Limp Bizkit 1994 · nu metal · US
  11. Avenged Sevenfold 1999 · progressive metal · US
  12. Burzum 1991 · dark ambient · Norway
  13. Children of Bodom 1993 · melodic death metal · Finland
  14. Sigur Rós 1994 · post-rock · Iceland
  15. HIM 1995 · gothic rock · Finland

90s punk bands

  1. The Prodigy 1990 · alternative dance · UK
  2. Blink-182 1992 · pop-punk · US
  3. Sum 41 1996 · pop-punk · Canada
  4. The White Stripes 1997 · punk blues · US
  5. The Strokes 1998 · post-punk revival · US
  6. Wu-Tang Clan 1992 · mafioso rap · US
  7. Bullet for My Valentine 1998 · melodic metalcore · UK
  8. Weezer 1992 · nerd · US
  9. Simple Plan 1999 · pop-punk · Canada
  10. Good Charlotte 1996 · pop-punk · US
  11. Interpol 1997 · post-punk revival · US
  12. Billy Talent 1993 · post-hardcore · Canada
  13. Rise Against 1999 · melodic hardcore · US
  14. Lostprophets 1997 · pop-punk · UK
  15. Dropkick Murphys 1996 · celtic punk · US

90s pop bands

  1. Lordi 1992 · pop metal · Finland
  2. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  3. Coldplay 1999 · alternative rock · UK
  4. Spice Girls 1994 · europop · UK
  5. Maroon 5 1994 · funk rock · US
  6. Backstreet Boys 1993 · contemporary r&b · US
  7. Black Eyed Peas 1995 · latin hip-hop · US
  8. Blink-182 1992 · pop-punk · US
  9. Daft Punk 1993 · synth-pop · France
  10. Sum 41 1996 · pop-punk · Canada
  11. t.A.T.u. 1999 · lgbtq+ art · Russia
  12. Take That 1990 · funk · UK
  13. Gorillaz 1998 · art pop · UK
  14. The Rasmus 1994 · pop rock · Finland
  15. Ace of Base 1990 · music of sweden · Sweden

90s hip-hop & r&b bands

  1. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  2. Maroon 5 1994 · funk rock · US
  3. Backstreet Boys 1993 · contemporary r&b · US
  4. Black Eyed Peas 1995 · latin hip-hop · US
  5. Rage Against the Machine 1991 · funk metal · US
  6. Take That 1990 · funk · UK
  7. Destiny's Child 1990 · rhythm and blues · US
  8. Gorillaz 1998 · art pop · UK
  9. Wu-Tang Clan 1992 · mafioso rap · US
  10. Papa Roach 1993 · rap rock · US
  11. Jamiroquai 1992 · nu-funk · UK
  12. Sugababes 1998 · dance · UK
  13. NSYNC 1995 · contemporary r&b · US
  14. OutKast 1992 · psychedelic rap · US
  15. Incubus 1991 · funk metal · US

90s electronic bands

  1. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  2. Rammstein 1994 · shock rock · Germany
  3. The Prodigy 1990 · alternative dance · UK
  4. Daft Punk 1993 · synth-pop · France
  5. t.A.T.u. 1999 · lgbtq+ art · Russia
  6. Gorillaz 1998 · art pop · UK
  7. Placebo 1994 · britpop · UK
  8. Portishead 1991 · electronica · UK
  9. O-Zone 1999 · electronic dance · Moldova
  10. Air 1995 · electronica · France
  11. Röyksopp 1998 · synth-pop · Norway
  12. Scooter 1993 · rave · Germany
  13. Ladytron 1999 · synth-pop · UK
  14. Static-X 1994 · industrial metal · US
  15. 2 Unlimited 1991 · eurodance · Netherlands

90s country & folk bands

  1. Burzum 1991 · dark ambient · Norway
  2. Korpiklaani 1993 · humppa · Finland
  3. Ensiferum 1995 · folk metal · Finland
  4. Finntroll 1997 · folk metal · Finland
  5. Blackmore's Night 1997 · medieval folk rock · US
  6. Amorphis 1990 · progressive metal · Finland
  7. Cake 1991 · experimental rock · US
  8. The Shins 1996 · indie rock · US
  9. Wilco 1993 · alternative country · US
  10. Zdob și Zdub 1994 · folk rock · Moldova
  11. Bright Eyes 1995 · indie rock · US
  12. La Oreja de Van Gogh 1996 · emo subculture · Spain
  13. Rednex 1994 · eurodance · Sweden
  14. Agalloch 1995 · atmospheric black metal · US
  15. Leningrad 1997 · russian chanson · Russia

90s-style band name ideas you can use

Original names in the shapes and imagery of the 1990s, screened against 120,000+ notable artists. Original ideas, screened against 120,000+ notable artists when this page was built. Check your favourite before you use it. Generate more →

  1. Rivers of the Stag
  2. Throne of Longing
  3. Steelmouth
  4. Scarred Veins
  5. Rotten Tidepool
  6. Burrowing Bones
  7. Smokefall
  8. Roting Crypts
  9. Crowbreaker
  10. Rainwave
  11. Mother Lightning
  12. Ironwolf
  13. Reverie in the Hand
  14. Devouring Pulses
  15. Drain Tantrums
  16. Shaking Epitaphs
  17. Raw Gale
  18. Confessing Hares
  19. Wild Hailstones
  20. Sweet Stamp Rot
  21. Bear in the Paper Plane
  22. Dawnbird
  23. Snowdust
  24. House of the Tempest
  25. Skywood
  26. Bruised Sundials
  27. Low Vein
  28. Altar of the Cyclone
  29. Children of the Crow
  30. Swimming Scars
  31. Voidfire
  32. Driftwood
  33. Secondhand Knuckles
  34. Saltsong
  35. Letters of Pestilence
  36. Painters of the Heatwave
  37. Hammer of Drizzle
  38. Wet Hands
  39. Thornhand
  40. Gorelord

Questions

What are famous 90s band names?

Radiohead, Oasis, Foo Fighters, Coldplay (1996), Linkin Park, Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child, Blink-182 and Rammstein are among the best known.

Can I use one of these real band names?

No. The names in the notable-bands lists belong to real, well-known acts, so using one would confuse fans and could infringe their rights. Use them for inspiration, then generate an original name and run it through the band name checker.

Shortlist

Nothing saved yet. Tap Save on any name and it stays here, in this browser only.

Compare & vote

Poster

Style