How many original names of these 20 legendary bands do you know?

Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Ryan Disick first formed a band in high school known as Kara’s Flowers. Once they got signed to a record deal, a few label executives suggested they add a guitarist James Valentine as it’s fifth member, and a name change. That’s when Maroon 5 was officially born.

Before Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams became known as one of the best-selling girl groups of all time as Destiny’s Child, the group went through a few name changes and group lineups. Before the Destiny’s Child name, as well as names like Somethin’ Fresh, and The Dolls, they were originally known as Girl’s Tyme. Some people may recall that Girl’s Tyme auditioned on the TV competition show Star Search. 

When the members of Green Day first met in high school and formed a band, they were initially known as Blood Rage, and then shortly after renamed themselves to Sweet Children. Not too long after they released their 1989 debut EP 1,000 Hours, they changed their name to Green Day.

When Big Boi and Andre 3000 first met in high school to form a hip-hop group, they were known as 2 Shades Deep. However, since the name was very similar to another local group, they changed their name to Outkast, which was always fitting for their eccentric styles. 

Back in 2012, the members of Fifth Harmony auditioned as soloists on the second season of TV singing competition show The X Factor, before being formed together as a group. Before they settled on the name Fifth Harmony, they were also known as Lylas (an acronym for Love You Like a Sister), and 1432. 

In 1979, group members Michael Diamond, John Berry, Kate Schellenbach, Jeremy Shaton, and Adam Yauch were known as The Young Aborigines. Two years later, Shaton left the group, and the band changed their name to the Beastie Boys. 

Rock band Nirvana went through quite a few names before their famous one. Initially they were known as names like Skid Row, Bliss, Pen Cap Chew, and Ted Ed Fred. Once they settled on Nirvana, they were sued by a British band of the same name for the usage of it, but they settled out of court. 

When founding members Black Thought and Questlove first met in high school and decided to form a group, they went through several name changes. They were known by names like Radio Activity, Black to the Future, and Square Roots, before they ultimately chose The Roots.

In the 1980s, Donnie Wahlberg formed a group known as Nynuk alongside his friends Jamie Kelly, Jordan Knight, Danny Wood, Jonathan Knight, and Joey McIntyre. Once the group landed a record deal with Columbia Records, they changed their name to New Kids on the Block. 

U2 first formed as a band in high school and were known by different names such as Feedback and The Hype. In 1978, the group decided to change their name to U2 as they thought it would be better for branding purposes. 

When R&B group Boyz II Men first formed in high school, they were known as Unique Attraction. However, they were inspired by another R&B group, New Edition, and their song “Boys to Men,” which led to their name change. 

Rock band Van Halen went through quite a few name iterations before settling on what we know them as today. They started as the Broken Combs, then changed it to Trojan Rubber Co, which later changed to Genesis, and then renamed to Mammoth. In 1973, the band finally settled on Van Halen, which was named after the brothers' last name in the group. 

When TLC first formed in 1990, named as 2nd Nature, they consisted of group members Tionne Watkins, Lisa Lopes, and Crystal Jones. They changed their name to TLC to reflect the initials of their first names. Once Jones left the group, Rozanda Thomas was added as their third member, and they continued to keep the name. 

When Pearl Jam first formed in 1990, they were known as Mookie Blaylock, named after the former NBA player. When the band got signed to a Epic Records in 1991, they changed their name to Pearl Jam, which was in reference to band member Eddie Vedder’s grandmother Pearl. 

When Pras and Lauryn Hill first met in high school and formed a band with Marcy Harriell, they were known as Tyme. Harriell eventually left the group, and Wyclef Jean joined, it was then that the group changed their name to the Fugees.

In 1982, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers were initially known as Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem. They ended up changing their name the following year as they shopped around the demo tapes with hopes of a record deal. 

Before Blink-182 became the band we know them as today, they went through several band names including Duck Tape, Figure 8, and Blink. When the band started gaining more attention as Blink, and Irish band of the same name demanded the group to change their name. In order to avoid a lawsuit, the band settled on adding a number to the name, now known as Blink-182. 

When DJ Paul, Lord Infamous, and Juicy J decided to form a hip-hop group, they were initially known as The Backyard Posse. However, when the group was recording, Lord Infamous once referred to the group as “Triple Six Mafia” in a song, the group liked it so much and that’s how they changed their name to Three Six Mafia. 

When Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland first met in college in 1996 to form a group, they went through a few names, such as Big Fat Noises by November and Starfish. It was a couple years later, when the band settled on group members and a name known as Coldplay. 

When brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, along with friends Paul Frost and Kenny Horrocks decided to form a music skiffle group, they were once known as the Rattlesnakes. Once Frost and Horrocks decided to leave the group, the Gibb brothers continued to make music, but changed up their style and their name now as the Bee Gees.