American bands

American band names

American bands produced every naming style there is, from The Doors and Eagles to Metallica, Nirvana, Linkin Park, Paramore and Twenty One Pilots.

Here are the best-known American bands by global fame, by genre, then original ideas.

Try the band name generator

Famous American bands

Ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover each band.

  1. The Carpenters 1969 · easy listening · US
  2. The Doors 1965 · classic rock · US
  3. Paramore 2003 · power pop · US
  4. Metallica 1981 · thrash metal · US
  5. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  6. Nirvana 1987 · grunge · US
  7. Red Hot Chili Peppers 1982 · classic rock · US
  8. 30 Seconds to Mars 1998 · progressive rock · US
  9. Guns N' Roses 1985 · hard rock · US
  10. Green Day 1982 · pop-punk · US
  11. Kiss 1973 · hard rock · US
  12. Bon Jovi 1983 · glam metal · US
  13. Aerosmith 1969 · traditional heavy metal · US
  14. The Beach Boys 1961 · surf · US
  15. Eagles 1971 · country rock · US
  16. System of a Down 1994 · nu metal · US
  17. Maroon 5 1994 · funk rock · US
  18. Pearl Jam 1990 · hard rock · US
  19. Backstreet Boys 1993 · contemporary r&b · US
  20. Ramones 1974 · pop-punk · US
  21. Slipknot 1994 · nu metal · US
  22. The Velvet Underground 1965 · avant-punk · US
  23. Black Eyed Peas 1995 · latin hip-hop · US
  24. Korn 1993 · nu metal · US
  25. Nine Inch Nails 1988 · industrial rock · US
  26. Blink-182 1992 · pop-punk · US
  27. Slayer 1981 · thrash metal · US
  28. My Chemical Romance 2001 · pop-punk · US
  29. Simon & Garfunkel 1957 · folk-pop · US
  30. The Killers 2001 · alternative rock · US
  31. Jonas Brothers 2005 · pop rock · US
  32. R.E.M. 1980 · folk rock · US
  33. Rage Against the Machine 1991 · funk metal · US
  34. Alice in Chains 1987 · alternative metal · US
  35. Dream Theater 1985 · progressive metal · US
  36. Foo Fighters 1995 · post-grunge · US
  37. Limp Bizkit 1994 · nu metal · US
  38. Soundgarden 1984 · stoner metal · US
  39. Avenged Sevenfold 1999 · progressive metal · US
  40. OneRepublic 2009 · cello rock · US
  41. Pantera 1981 · groove metal · US
  42. The Pussycat Dolls 2003 · contemporary r&b · US
  43. The White Stripes 1997 · punk blues · US
  44. Blondie 1974 · power pop · US
  45. Creedence Clearwater Revival 1968 · country rock · US
  46. Lynyrd Skynyrd 1964 · southern rock · US
  47. Deftones 1988 · nu metal · US
  48. Imagine Dragons 2008 · pop rock · US
  49. The Smashing Pumpkins 1988 · alternative rock · US
  50. Twenty One Pilots 2009 · indie pop · US
  51. Van Halen 1972 · classic rock · US
  52. Jefferson Airplane 1965 · psychedelic folk · US
  53. The Offspring 1984 · melodic hardcore · US
  54. Destiny's Child 1990 · rhythm and blues · US
  55. Sonic Youth 1981 · no wave · US
  56. Tool 1990 · psychedelic rock · US
  57. Beastie Boys 1981 · rap rock · US
  58. Garbage 1993 · alternative rock · US
  59. The Jackson 5 1964 · bubblegum · US
  60. ZZ Top 1969 · boogie rock · US
  61. Fall Out Boy 2001 · emo pop · US
  62. N.W.A. 1986 · political hip-hop · US
  63. Talking Heads 1975 · post-punk · US
  64. The Strokes 1998 · post-punk revival · US
  65. Manowar 1980 · true metal · US
  66. Disturbed 1994 · nu metal · US
  67. Grateful Dead 1965 · psychedelic rock · US
  68. Public Enemy 1986 · progressive rap · US
  69. The Supremes 1958 · doo-wop · US
  70. Wu-Tang Clan 1992 · mafioso rap · US
  71. Anthrax 1981 · thrash metal · US
  72. Cannibal Corpse 1988 · death metal · US
  73. No Doubt 1986 · reggae fusion · US
  74. The Mars Volta 2001 · progressive rock · US
  75. Toto 1977 · yacht rock · US
  76. Weezer 1992 · nerd · US
  77. Mötley Crüe 1981 · sleaze rock · US
  78. Ha*Ash 2002 · country pop · US
  79. Pixies 1986 · indie rock · US
  80. Faith No More 1983 · alternative metal · US
  81. Kings of Leon 1999 · alternative rock · US
  82. Marilyn Manson 1989 · shock rock · US
  83. Good Charlotte 1996 · pop-punk · US
  84. Papa Roach 1993 · rap rock · US
  85. Queens of the Stone Age 1996 · stoner rock · US
  86. The Chainsmokers 2012 · electronic dance · US
  87. Death 1983 · death metal · US
  88. Earth, Wind & Fire 1970 · funk · US
  89. The Everly Brothers 1957 · rockabilly · US
  90. Audioslave 2001 · alternative metal · US
  91. Chicago 1967 · adult contemporary · US
  92. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 1968 · soft rock · US
  93. Fifth Harmony 2013 · pop · US
  94. Foreigner 1976 · hard rock · US
  95. Hoobastank 1994 · alternative rock · US
  96. The Stooges 1967 · proto-punk · US
  97. Village People 1977 · disco · US
  98. Peter, Paul and Mary 1961 · folk · US
  99. The Mamas & the Papas 1965 · sunshine pop · US
  100. The Monkees 1966 · pop rock · US
  101. Bad Religion 1980 · melodic hardcore · US
  102. Dead Kennedys 1978 · hardcore punk · US
  103. Lamb of God 1994 · metalcore · US
  104. LMFAO 2006 · synth-pop · US
  105. The Allman Brothers Band 1969 · southern rock · US
  106. Cypress Hill 1986 · psychedelic rap · US
  107. Journey 1973 · arena rock · US
  108. Santana 1967 · music of latin america · US
  109. The Bangles 1981 · power pop · US
  110. 3 Doors Down 1996 · post-grunge · US
  111. Boston 1976 · hard rock · US
  112. Creed 1994 · post-grunge · US
  113. Godsmack 1995 · post-grunge · US
  114. Interpol 1997 · post-punk revival · US
  115. NOFX 1983 · pop-punk · US
  116. NSYNC 1995 · contemporary r&b · US
  117. OutKast 1992 · psychedelic rap · US
  118. Owl City 2007 · synth-pop · US
  119. The Black Keys 2001 · blues rock · US
  120. The Byrds 1964 · country rock · US
  121. Type O Negative 1989 · doom metal · US
  122. Incubus 1991 · funk metal · US
  123. Kool & The Gang 1964 · funk · US
  124. Yeah Yeah Yeahs 2000 · dance-punk · US
  125. A Perfect Circle 1999 · alternative rock · US
  126. Blue Öyster Cult 1967 · occult rock · US
  127. Breaking Benjamin 1999 · post-grunge · US
  128. Dio 1982 · heavy metal · US
  129. MGMT 2002 · psychedelic pop · US
  130. New Kids on the Block 1984 · contemporary r&b · US
  131. Run-DMC 1981 · hardcore hip-hop · US
  132. TLC 1991 · contemporary r&b · US
  133. Mastodon 2000 · progressive metal · US
  134. Testament 1983 · thrash metal · US
  135. Alter Bridge 2004 · post-grunge · US
  136. Black Veil Brides 2006 · melodic metalcore · US
  137. Boyz II Men 1988 · contemporary r&b · US
  138. Hole 1989 · alternative rock · US
  139. Kamelot 1991 · power metal · US
  140. Lady A 2006 · country · US
  141. Machine Head 1991 · thrash metal · US
  142. Migos 2015 · mumble rap · US
  143. Neutral Milk Hotel 1989 · lo-fi · US
  144. OK Go 1998 · pop rock · US
  145. Rise Against 1999 · melodic hardcore · US
  146. Steely Dan 1972 · yacht rock · US
  147. Stone Temple Pilots 1989 · grunge · US
  148. Traveling Wilburys 1988 · roots rock · US
  149. Twisted Sister 1972 · glam metal · US
  150. Black Flag 1976 · post-hardcore · US

American band names by genre

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

American rock bands

  1. The Carpenters 1969 · easy listening · US
  2. The Doors 1965 · classic rock · US
  3. Paramore 2003 · power pop · US
  4. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  5. Nirvana 1987 · grunge · US
  6. Red Hot Chili Peppers 1982 · classic rock · US
  7. 30 Seconds to Mars 1998 · progressive rock · US
  8. Guns N' Roses 1985 · hard rock · US
  9. Green Day 1982 · pop-punk · US
  10. Kiss 1973 · hard rock · US
  11. Bon Jovi 1983 · glam metal · US
  12. Aerosmith 1969 · traditional heavy metal · US
  13. The Beach Boys 1961 · surf · US
  14. Eagles 1971 · country rock · US
  15. System of a Down 1994 · nu metal · US

American metal bands

  1. Metallica 1981 · thrash metal · US
  2. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  3. Red Hot Chili Peppers 1982 · classic rock · US
  4. Bon Jovi 1983 · glam metal · US
  5. Aerosmith 1969 · traditional heavy metal · US
  6. System of a Down 1994 · nu metal · US
  7. Slipknot 1994 · nu metal · US
  8. Korn 1993 · nu metal · US
  9. Nine Inch Nails 1988 · industrial rock · US
  10. Slayer 1981 · thrash metal · US
  11. My Chemical Romance 2001 · pop-punk · US
  12. Rage Against the Machine 1991 · funk metal · US
  13. Alice in Chains 1987 · alternative metal · US
  14. Dream Theater 1985 · progressive metal · US
  15. Limp Bizkit 1994 · nu metal · US

American punk bands

  1. Green Day 1982 · pop-punk · US
  2. Ramones 1974 · pop-punk · US
  3. The Velvet Underground 1965 · avant-punk · US
  4. Blink-182 1992 · pop-punk · US
  5. My Chemical Romance 2001 · pop-punk · US
  6. The White Stripes 1997 · punk blues · US
  7. Blondie 1974 · power pop · US
  8. The Offspring 1984 · melodic hardcore · US
  9. Beastie Boys 1981 · rap rock · US
  10. Fall Out Boy 2001 · emo pop · US
  11. N.W.A. 1986 · political hip-hop · US
  12. Talking Heads 1975 · post-punk · US
  13. The Strokes 1998 · post-punk revival · US
  14. Public Enemy 1986 · progressive rap · US
  15. Wu-Tang Clan 1992 · mafioso rap · US

American pop bands

  1. The Carpenters 1969 · easy listening · US
  2. Paramore 2003 · power pop · US
  3. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  4. Green Day 1982 · pop-punk · US
  5. Bon Jovi 1983 · glam metal · US
  6. The Beach Boys 1961 · surf · US
  7. Maroon 5 1994 · funk rock · US
  8. Backstreet Boys 1993 · contemporary r&b · US
  9. Ramones 1974 · pop-punk · US
  10. Black Eyed Peas 1995 · latin hip-hop · US
  11. Blink-182 1992 · pop-punk · US
  12. My Chemical Romance 2001 · pop-punk · US
  13. Jonas Brothers 2005 · pop rock · US
  14. OneRepublic 2009 · cello rock · US
  15. The Pussycat Dolls 2003 · contemporary r&b · US

American hip-hop & r&b bands

  1. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  2. Red Hot Chili Peppers 1982 · classic rock · US
  3. Maroon 5 1994 · funk rock · US
  4. Backstreet Boys 1993 · contemporary r&b · US
  5. Black Eyed Peas 1995 · latin hip-hop · US
  6. Rage Against the Machine 1991 · funk metal · US
  7. The Pussycat Dolls 2003 · contemporary r&b · US
  8. Twenty One Pilots 2009 · indie pop · US
  9. Destiny's Child 1990 · rhythm and blues · US
  10. Beastie Boys 1981 · rap rock · US
  11. The Jackson 5 1964 · bubblegum · US
  12. N.W.A. 1986 · political hip-hop · US
  13. Public Enemy 1986 · progressive rap · US
  14. The Supremes 1958 · doo-wop · US
  15. Wu-Tang Clan 1992 · mafioso rap · US

American electronic bands

  1. Linkin Park 1996 · nu metal · US
  2. Nine Inch Nails 1988 · industrial rock · US
  3. Marilyn Manson 1989 · shock rock · US
  4. The Chainsmokers 2012 · electronic dance · US
  5. LMFAO 2006 · synth-pop · US
  6. MGMT 2002 · psychedelic pop · US
  7. Gnarls Barkley 2003 · contemporary r&b · US
  8. Major Lazer 2009 · rocksteady · US
  9. Scissor Sisters 2001 · nu-disco · US
  10. Static-X 1994 · industrial metal · US
  11. Fear Factory 1989 · industrial metal · US
  12. Death Grips 2010 · hardcore hip-hop · US
  13. Dead by Sunrise 2005 · electronic rock · US
  14. Animal Collective 1999 · experimental pop · US
  15. Far East Movement 2003 · synth-pop · US

American country & folk bands

  1. Eagles 1971 · country rock · US
  2. The Velvet Underground 1965 · avant-punk · US
  3. Simon & Garfunkel 1957 · folk-pop · US
  4. R.E.M. 1980 · folk rock · US
  5. Creedence Clearwater Revival 1968 · country rock · US
  6. Jefferson Airplane 1965 · psychedelic folk · US
  7. Ha*Ash 2002 · country pop · US
  8. The Everly Brothers 1957 · rockabilly · US
  9. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 1968 · soft rock · US
  10. Peter, Paul and Mary 1961 · folk · US
  11. The Mamas & the Papas 1965 · sunshine pop · US
  12. The Byrds 1964 · country rock · US
  13. Lady A 2006 · country · US
  14. Neutral Milk Hotel 1989 · lo-fi · US
  15. Traveling Wilburys 1988 · roots rock · US

Band name ideas with a American feel

Original names, 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. Eastbound Lullaby
  2. Windswept Hailstone
  3. The Homeward Caravans
  4. The Broncos
  5. Six Wolves
  6. Souls of the Hitchhiker
  7. Summer Streetcar
  8. The Sleepless Curfews
  9. Howling Moths
  10. Thundering Algorithms
  11. Blazing Embers
  12. Rusthammer
  13. Spark Rainbow
  14. Drifting Orchards
  15. Gardens of the Sheriff
  16. Haze 7
  17. Blowing Mesas
  18. Stone Outlaws
  19. The Burnt Black Tops
  20. The Wild Hawks
  21. Snowwood
  22. Crimson Passenger
  23. Glassgarden
  24. The Molten Antlers
  25. Stormy Cloudburst
  26. Ballads of the Matchstick
  27. Bonegrave
  28. Burning Brambles
  29. The Shaking Pulses
  30. Lanterns of the Spur
  31. Arroyo Cacti
  32. Thornwolf
  33. The Junctions
  34. The Woodland Tail Lights
  35. Brickcraft
  36. Dawnbloom

Questions

What are famous American bands?

Metallica, The Doors, Nirvana, Eagles, Linkin Park, Paramore, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N' Roses, Green Day and Imagine Dragons 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.

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