Japanese band names
Japanese band names often mix English words in unexpected ways, a style that is instantly recognisable: X Japan, Babymetal, L'Arc-en-Ciel, One Ok Rock, Radwimps, AKB48.
Here are the best-known Japanese bands by global fame, then ideas. For anime-style or J-rock names, try our generators for synthwave, K-pop and indie and mix the results.
Famous Japanese bands
Ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover each band.
- AKB48 2005 · bubblegum · Japan
- Momoiro Clover Z 2008 · pop rock · Japan
- Candies 1973 · pop · Japan
- X Japan 1982 · progressive metal · Japan
- Babymetal 2010 · kawaii metal · Japan
- L'Arc-en-Ciel 1991 · indie rock · Japan
- Morning Musume 1997 · bubblegum · Japan
- Dir En Grey 1997 · extreme metal · Japan
- Arashi 1999 · bubblegum · Japan
- Malice Mizer 1992 · art rock · Japan
- Band-Maid 2013 · hard rock · Japan
- One Ok Rock 2005 · emo pop · Japan
- Perfume 2000 · j-pop · Japan
- Scandal 2006 · pop-punk · Japan
- the GazettE 2002 · alternative metal · Japan
- Cute 2005 · j-pop · Japan
- KAT-TUN 2001 · pop · Japan
- Maximum the Hormone 1998 · nu metal · Japan
- Yoasobi j-pop · Japan
- Berryz Kobo 2004 · j-pop · Japan
- Strawberry Prince j-pop · Japan
- B'z 1988 · pop rock · Japan
- NiziU 2020 · k-pop · Japan
- AAA 2005 · eurobeat · Japan
- An Cafe 2003 · pop rock · Japan
- Asian Kung-Fu Generation 1996 · indie rock · Japan
- Glay 1988 · rock · Japan
- Nightmare 2000 · gothic rock · Japan
- SMAP 1988 · pop · Japan
- HKT48 2011 · pop · Japan
- Loudness 1981 · progressive metal · Japan
- NEWS 2003 · pop · Japan
- Boris 1992 · stoner rock · Japan
- Hey! Say! JUMP 2007 · j-pop · Japan
- Luna Sea 1986 · progressive rock · Japan
- Teriyaki Boyz 2005 · pop · Japan
- Alice Nine 2004 · music of japan · Japan
- Coldrain 2007 · post-hardcore · Japan
- Galneryus 2001 · power metal · Japan
- Hello! Project 1998 · j-pop · Japan
- Nogizaka46 2011 · pop · Japan
- SKE48 2008 · pop · Japan
- UVERworld 2000 · industrial rock · Japan
- Exile 2001 · pop · Japan
- Girugamesh 2003 · alternative metal · Japan
- Ikimono-gakari 1999 · soft rock · Japan
- Mono 1999 · post-rock · Japan
- Mucc 1997 · dance-rock · Japan
- &TEAM 2022 · j-pop · Japan
- Angerme 2009 · j-pop · Japan
- Crossfaith 2006 · electronicore · Japan
- Mr. Children 1988 · power pop · Japan
- Radwimps 2001 · indie rock · Japan
- XG 2022 · contemporary r&b · Japan
- Zard 1991 · pop · Japan
- Every Little Thing 1996 · soft rock · Japan
- Flow 1998 · pop-punk · Japan
- JO1 j-pop · Japan
- KinKi Kids 1993 · j-pop · Japan
- Matenrou Opera 2006 · progressive metal · Japan
- Orange Range 2001 · rap rock · Japan
- Plastic Tree 1993 · garage rock · Japan
- SID 2003 · hard rock · Japan
- Stereopony 2007 · garage rock · Japan
- Atarashii Gakko! j-pop · Japan
- Buck-Tick 1983 · alternative rock · Japan
- Buono! 2007 · pop rock · Japan
- Chemistry 1999 · pop · Japan
- D'espairsRay 1999 · industrial metal · Japan
- Do As Infinity 1999 · j-pop · Japan
- LM.C 2006 · electronic rock · Japan
- Melt-Banana 1992 · música popular brasileira · Japan
- Porno Graffitti 1994 · pop rock · Japan
- Shonen Knife 1981 · alternative rock · Japan
- Super Eight 2002 · enka · Japan
- The 5.6.7.8's 1986 · surf · Japan
- V6 1995 · j-pop · Japan
- Aqua Timez 2003 · pop rock · Japan
- E-girls 2011 · j-pop · Japan
- Greeeen pop · Japan
- High and Mighty Color 2003 · j-pop · Japan
- Kagrra, 1998 · pop rock · Japan
- Man with a Mission 2010 · rock fusion · Japan
- Nexz k-pop · Japan
- NMB48 2010 · pop · Japan
- Puffy AmiYumi 1995 · dance-rock · Japan
- Sekai no Owari 2006 · indie pop · Japan
- Sound Horizon 2001 · progressive metal · Japan
- Southern All Stars 1974 · j-pop · Japan
- Blood Stain Child 1999 · death metal · Japan
- Boredoms 1986 · experimental · Japan
- Capsule 1997 · synth-pop · Japan
- Fishmans 1987 · neo-psychedelia · Japan
- Hanabie. nu metal · Japan
- Lucifer 1999 · alternative rock · Japan
- NCT Wish k-pop · Japan
- Sakurazaka46 2015 · j-pop · Japan
- Tackey & Tsubasa 2002 · bubblegum · Japan
- The Brilliant Green 1995 · pop rock · Japan
- Whiteberry 1994 · j-pop · Japan
- Ali Project 1984 · progressive rock · Japan
- Bump of Chicken 1994 · pop rock · Japan
- Casiopea 1977 · funk · Japan
- ClariS 2009 · synth-pop · Japan
- Dué le quartz visual kei · Japan
- Gallhammer 2003 · black metal · Japan
- GO!GO!7188 vocal surf · Japan
- IOSYS 1998 · dōjin · Japan
- Juice=Juice 2013 · j-pop · Japan
- Ling Tosite Sigure 2002 · math rock · Japan
- Minimoni 2000 · pop · Japan
- Move 1997 · pop · Japan
- My First Story 2011 · post-hardcore · Japan
- Onmyo-Za 1999 · heavy metal · Japan
- Pizzicato Five 1985 · shibuya-kei · Japan
- Sakura Gakuin 2010 · j-pop · Japan
- Sigh 1989 · progressive metal · Japan
- SiM 2004 · alternative rock · Japan
- Sug 2006 · j-pop · Japan
- timelesz 2011 · j-pop · Japan
Japanese band names by genre
Notable acts from Wikidata, ranked by the number of Wikipedia language editions about them.
Japanese rock bands
- Momoiro Clover Z 2008 · pop rock · Japan
- Candies 1973 · pop · Japan
- L'Arc-en-Ciel 1991 · indie rock · Japan
- Malice Mizer 1992 · art rock · Japan
- Band-Maid 2013 · hard rock · Japan
- One Ok Rock 2005 · emo pop · Japan
- Scandal 2006 · pop-punk · Japan
- B'z 1988 · pop rock · Japan
- Asian Kung-Fu Generation 1996 · indie rock · Japan
- Glay 1988 · rock · Japan
- Nightmare 2000 · gothic rock · Japan
- Luna Sea 1986 · progressive rock · Japan
- Alice Nine 2004 · music of japan · Japan
- Coldrain 2007 · post-hardcore · Japan
- UVERworld 2000 · industrial rock · Japan
Japanese metal bands
- X Japan 1982 · progressive metal · Japan
- Babymetal 2010 · kawaii metal · Japan
- Dir En Grey 1997 · extreme metal · Japan
- Band-Maid 2013 · hard rock · Japan
- the GazettE 2002 · alternative metal · Japan
- Maximum the Hormone 1998 · nu metal · Japan
- Loudness 1981 · progressive metal · Japan
- Boris 1992 · stoner rock · Japan
- Coldrain 2007 · post-hardcore · Japan
- Galneryus 2001 · power metal · Japan
- Girugamesh 2003 · alternative metal · Japan
- Mucc 1997 · dance-rock · Japan
- Crossfaith 2006 · electronicore · Japan
- Matenrou Opera 2006 · progressive metal · Japan
- D'espairsRay 1999 · industrial metal · Japan
Japanese punk bands
- Momoiro Clover Z 2008 · pop rock · Japan
- One Ok Rock 2005 · emo pop · Japan
- Scandal 2006 · pop-punk · Japan
- Maximum the Hormone 1998 · nu metal · Japan
- Coldrain 2007 · post-hardcore · Japan
- Flow 1998 · pop-punk · Japan
- Melt-Banana 1992 · música popular brasileira · Japan
- Man with a Mission 2010 · rock fusion · Japan
- Puffy AmiYumi 1995 · dance-rock · Japan
- GO!GO!7188 vocal surf · Japan
- Ling Tosite Sigure 2002 · math rock · Japan
- My First Story 2011 · post-hardcore · Japan
- Beat Crusaders 1997 · pop-punk · Japan
- Polysics 1997 · post-punk revival · Japan
- S.O.B. 1983 · hardcore punk · Japan
Japanese pop bands
- AKB48 2005 · bubblegum · Japan
- Momoiro Clover Z 2008 · pop rock · Japan
- Candies 1973 · pop · Japan
- Babymetal 2010 · kawaii metal · Japan
- Morning Musume 1997 · bubblegum · Japan
- Arashi 1999 · bubblegum · Japan
- One Ok Rock 2005 · emo pop · Japan
- Perfume 2000 · j-pop · Japan
- Scandal 2006 · pop-punk · Japan
- Cute 2005 · j-pop · Japan
- KAT-TUN 2001 · pop · Japan
- Yoasobi j-pop · Japan
- Berryz Kobo 2004 · j-pop · Japan
- Strawberry Prince j-pop · Japan
- B'z 1988 · pop rock · Japan
Japanese hip-hop & r&b bands
- Momoiro Clover Z 2008 · pop rock · Japan
- Arashi 1999 · bubblegum · Japan
- UVERworld 2000 · industrial rock · Japan
- XG 2022 · contemporary r&b · Japan
- Orange Range 2001 · rap rock · Japan
- Casiopea 1977 · funk · Japan
- Pizzicato Five 1985 · shibuya-kei · Japan
- m-flo 1998 · pop rap · Japan
- Rip Slyme 1994 · hip-hop · Japan
- Creepy Nuts 2013 · hip-hop · Japan
- Da Pump j-pop · Japan
- Dragon Ash 1996 · rap rock · Japan
- Funky Monkey Babys 2004 · hip-hop · Japan
- Ketsumeishi 1993 · japanese reggae · Japan
- Generations from Exile Tribe 2011 · contemporary r&b · Japan
Japanese electronic bands
- AAA 2005 · eurobeat · Japan
- UVERworld 2000 · industrial rock · Japan
- Crossfaith 2006 · electronicore · Japan
- D'espairsRay 1999 · industrial metal · Japan
- LM.C 2006 · electronic rock · Japan
- Capsule 1997 · synth-pop · Japan
- Pizzicato Five 1985 · shibuya-kei · Japan
- fripSide 2002 · synth-pop · Japan
- m-flo 1998 · pop rap · Japan
- Two-Mix 1995 · dance-pop · Japan
- Wednesday Campanella 2012 · electronic dance · Japan
- I've Sound techno · Japan
- Boom Boom Satellites 1990 · japanese rock · Japan
- Supercar electronica · Japan
- School Food Punishment 2004 · post-rock · Japan
Japanese country & folk bands
- Wagakki Band 2013 · folk metal · Japan
- Yuzu folk · Japan
- Chage and Aska pop rock · Japan
- Happy End 1969 · folk rock · Japan
- Kobukuro 1998 · folk rock · Japan
- Wadaiko Yamato 1993 · folk · Japan
- The Alfee 1973 · pop rock · Japan
- Kikagaku Moyo 2012 · psychedelic folk · Japan
- Ghost 1984 · experimental rock · Japan
- Off Course folk rock · Japan
- Kaguyahime traditional folk · Japan
- Rice art rock · Japan
- The Folk Crusaders traditional folk · Japan
Band name ideas with a Japanese 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 →
- Zolelux
- ZOVEVI
- LOTUS
- RADIANCE
- RUBY X NEBULA
- Viliya
- FREQUENCY X STARLIGHT
- PLATINUM
- OVERDRIVE X INFINITY
- NOMI
- PIXEL
- Sizina
- LYRIC
- Keza
- Xuza
- SERENADE
- SAKURAZ
- Xomovi
- RHAPSODY7
- MAJESTY X PETAL
- NOZA
- Nimomi
- IDOL
- Luneka
- NESA
- SOLAR X PHOENIX
- TEN THRONES
- NONE
- Xuman
- MELLOWZ
- EMBER
- ZINESA
- NIVOSA
- NECTAR
- NOVAZ
- GLITCH X PEACH
Questions
What are famous Japanese bands?
X Japan, Babymetal, One Ok Rock, Radwimps, L'Arc-en-Ciel, AKB48, Glay, Dir En Grey, Perfume and Band-Maid are well known internationally.
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.
