The Beatles
Legend has it that the Fab Four were inspired by Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets. Playing with the word "beat" led them to become The Beatles.
Nirvana
Looking for a name that was kind of beautiful or nice instead of mean or bummed, Kurt Cobain chose Nirvana, representing a state of perfect happiness and liberation in Buddhism.
Radiohead
Originally named On a Friday, the band renamed themselves after the Talking Heads song "Radio Head," which appeared on the 1986 album "True Stories".
The Rolling Stones
The name was inspired by the Muddy Waters song, "Rollin' Stone," celebrating their blues influences and aspirations.