What’s in a [stage] name? Quite a lot, actually. Just ask the likes of Peter Gene Hernandez and Paul David Hewson, who are now respectively known to millions as Bruno Mars and Bono. Would Elton John have achieved such phenomenal success as Reg Dwight? Would Lady Gaga be on course to become an EGOT had she stuck to Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta? It’s difficult to say. But in an industry brimming with brilliant new artists, there’s definitely a strong argument for picking a pseudonym that stands out.
So, what is a stage name, and why would you want one? Well, it’s a name assumed for professional purposes, which can be very helpful in creating a clear divide between the career and the individual, for mental health reasons as well as practical considerations. Plus, the process of selecting a stage name is essentially a branding exercise, offering artists the invaluable opportunity to position themselves within the market.
As for what makes a good stage name, there’s no definitive formula, but you can’t go wrong with a soupçon of sass, a dash of wit, a keen understanding of your audience and a whole heap of originality. Here, we talk you through the process of how to make a stage name for your musical project, hear from Audio Network-approved folk singer Eddie Island about his nom de plume, and provide some inspiration for pseudonyms with staying power. After all, switching aliases mid-career can be a costly business, and you’re going to need a name that can grow with you as you journey from playing intimate venues to selling out stadiums.
How to Pick a Stage Name: A Step-By-Step Guide
Research
As mentioned previously, the process of picking a stage name is a branding exercise, and as with any marketing it’s vitally important you research the market you’re entering. Look at the artists you admire – in particular, the artists you feel occupy a similar musical sphere – and observe what they’re doing. Think about the emotions these stage names evoke. Examine how they look written down, both online and in printed materials. Say stage names out loud to see how easily they roll off the tongue.
Genre and audience are big considerations. For example, if you’re making ambient music, an aggressive pseudonym could perhaps feel jarring. Equally, if you’re aiming at a mass market, you might pick something punchier than you would if you were operating within more specialist genres.
Brainstorm
AKA the fun part! Throw ideas at the wall, always bearing in mind the mood you want to evoke, and how your stage name will support your identity and capture your essence as an artist. Think about how the name will travel internationally and take care to avoid being culturally insensitive. At this stage there are no bad ideas, so let your imagination run wild. Remember: a stage name provides another outlet through which to express your creativity and have some fun.
Refine
Whittle down your longlist of stage name ideas and then do some due diligence on your top choices. Research the names online – both by Googling and by browsing social media – and see what comes up. Check streaming services for similar artist names and check whether the social media handles are available. Because, above all else, your stage name needs to be unique.
Get Feedback
Once you’ve gathered a few options you’re happy with, canvas friends and family. If you have an established fan base already, share your shortlist for some brutally honest feedback. View their comments as some invaluable market research into how others view you as an artist. And if your ideas don’t land instantly, it could be an indicator of how impactful the stage name is.
Follow Your Gut
Take feedback on board but ultimately it’s your decision. After all, if everything goes well you’ll be answering to the name day-in, day-out for the foreseeable future.
How to Pick a Stage Name: How Eddie Island Did It
Audio Network-approved singer-songwriter and American Idol-alumnus Edward Lee Liggitt III knows all about the importance of picking the right stage name. Speaking to Artist Uprising, the Nashville-based star explained how he ultimately ended up writing as Eddie Island.
“It’s kind of a crazy story. I was depressed, and I was living in my friend’s living room with another guy next to me who was working at Target with me. A friend texted me and said, ‘You’re isolating yourself. You’re becoming Eddie Island,’ and I thought, ‘You know what? I am Eddie Island,’ and I turned it into a positive. I started going to shows and parties, and my friends would say, ‘that’s Eddie Island.’ I just ran with it. Out of all the names I ever tried, Eddie Island stuck. I made my own world and I'm welcoming everyone to it.”
Check out Eddie’s latest album, Folkstar.
How to Pick a Stage Name: Common Tactics
Mononyms
We’re talking about your Beyoncés, your Adeles and your Madonnas. Mononyms as stage names are instantly iconic, because what could be bolder than asserting your supremacy over all other individuals of the same name? It’s a tactic usually best suited to unusual given names, though the success of Dave proves it can work well with more common monikers too.
Acronyms
Use acronyms to say something deeper about your interests or values. High profile examples of acronymic names for singers include Grammy-winners SZA (derived from the Supreme Alphabet) and H.E.R. (a play on the artist’s emotional evolution, which simultaneously stands for “Having Everything Revealed”). Or you could follow Marshall “Eminem” Mathers’ lead and create a phonetic spelling of your initials.
Variations on Your Real Name
What do Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish all have common? Their stage names are all shortened versions of their given names, which are Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth and Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell (phew) respectively. And then there’s Halsey, whose stage name is an anagram of her given name Ashley.
Paying Homage
Some artists choose to pay homage to creative inspirations within their stage name, e.g. Elton John whose pseudonym is references both jazz saxophonist Elton Dean and blues singer Long John Baldry.
Aspirational Names and Alter-Egos
Cultivate a persona with a name you feel matches the spirit of your music and image. One of the best examples of this approach is Lana Del Rey – born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant – whose stage name evokes a type of old school Hollywood glamour perfectly in keeping with her lush productions and languid vocal style. Or you could take a leaf out of David Bowie’s book and create a series of alter-egos through which to explore different musical directions.
Nicknames
Run with any existing nicknames you might have, as per Birdy, Bono and Cardi B.
In-Jokes
Isle of Wight indie-duo Wet Leg take their name from a term locals use to describe non-islanders. Doja Cat’s unusual moniker combines her feline obsession with her favourite strain of marijuana.
Internet Aliases
Have a strong online presence already? Use your internet alias as a stage name, a la Montero Lamar Hill, AKA Lil Nas X. Or you could follow the lead of Beatrice Laus AKA Beabadoobee, whose pseudonym was taken from her finsta (fake Instagram account) handle.
Looking for more stage name inspiration? Head over to our blog to hear some of the stories behind the biggest stars’ stage names, and to have some fun creating your own nom de guerre with our very own Stage Name Generator. And you can find loads more inspiration over on our blog The Edit, which is helpfully divided into articles providing Expertise, Inspiration and News.
Discover and sample our playlists and collections, or browse the latest albums and our very own top 40. Each and every one of our high-quality background music tracks is licensed for use in you in your next production, whether you’re working on TV programming, films or advertising.
Need Music for Your Project?
At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!
