Names of music legends
From Elvis to Aretha, these are the first names of the artists who reshaped what music could sound like. Giving one is a nod to the rhythm, rebellion, or soul a legend brought into the world, and a hope some of it rubs off.
Elvis of uncertain origin, possibly from the Irish saint's name Ailbhe; made world-famous by Elvis Presley
Aretha virtue, excellence (Greek arete); famously borne by Aretha Franklin
Stevie crowned (pet form of Steven and Stephanie); famously borne by Stevie Wonder and Stevie Nicks
Marvin sea friend (from Welsh Merfyn); famously borne by Marvin Gaye
Dolly gift of God (pet form of Dorothy); famously borne by Dolly Parton
Johnny God is gracious (pet form of John); famously borne by Johnny Cash
Willie diminutive of William ("will helmet"); famously borne by Willie Nelson
Loretta laurel (from Lauretta); famously borne by Loretta Lynn
Freddie peaceful ruler (pet form of Frederick); famously borne by Freddie Mercury
David beloved; famously borne by David Bowie
Prince royal title used as a given name (Latin princeps, 'first'); famously borne by Prince Rogers Nelson
Whitney white island (English surname); famously borne by Whitney Houston
Mariah form of Maria, traditionally 'wished-for child, beloved'; famously borne by Mariah Carey
Bob bright fame (pet form of Robert); famously borne by Bob Dylan and Bob Marley
Nina short form of names ending in -nina, as Antonina; famously borne by Nina Simone
Ella fairy maiden; famously borne by Ella Fitzgerald
Billie diminutive of Bill, also used as a feminine form of William ("will helmet"); famously borne by Billie Holiday and Billie Eilish
Etta short form of Henrietta, 'home ruler'; famously borne by Etta James
Otis English surname from Ode, 'wealth, fortune'; famously borne by Otis Redding
Janis form of Janice, from Jane, 'God is gracious'; famously borne by Janis Joplin
Jimi supplanter (pet form of James); famously borne by Jimi Hendrix
Kurt brave counsel (German short form of Konrad); famously borne by Kurt Cobain
Amy beloved (from French Aimée); famously borne by Amy Winehouse
Adele noble; famously borne by singer Adele
Beyoncé modern coinage honoring her mother's maiden name, Beyincé; famously borne by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Lennon lover, sweetheart (Irish surname Ó Leannáin); chosen by parents honoring John Lennon
Hendrix son of Hendrik, the Dutch Henry ('estate ruler'); famously borne by Jimi Hendrix
Presley priest's meadow (English surname); famously borne by Elvis Presley
Jagger carter, peddler (English surname); famously borne by Mick Jagger
Bowie yellow-haired (Scottish surname, from Gaelic buidhe); famously borne by David Bowie
Marley pleasant meadow (English surname); famously borne by Bob Marley
Elton from an English place name, 'Ella's town'; famously borne by Elton John
Miles soldier, merciful; famously borne by jazz legend Miles Davis
Nat gift of God (short form of Nathaniel); famously borne by Nat King Cole
Louis renowned warrior; famously borne by Louis Armstrong
Ellington from an English place name, 'Elli's town'; famously borne by Duke Ellington
Bessie God is my oath (pet form of Elizabeth); famously borne by blues empress Bessie Smith
Patsy noble (pet form of Patricia); famously borne by Patsy Cline
Joni God is gracious (pet form of Joan); famously borne by Joni Mitchell
Aaliyah "high, lofty, sublime" (Arabic, feminine form of Aali); famously borne by R&B star Aaliyah
Selena from Selene, Greek goddess of the moon; famously borne by Tejano star Selena Quintanilla
Celia heavenly (from Latin Caelia); famously borne by salsa queen Celia Cruz
Frank from the name of the Franks, the Germanic tribe; in modern use often a short form of Francis or Franklin; famously borne by Frank Sinatra
Ray wise protector (short form of Raymond); famously borne by Ray Charles
Chuck American pet form of Charles (from Germanic karl, "man"); famously borne by Chuck Berry
Buddy friend, pal (affectionate English nickname); famously borne by Buddy Holly
Tina short form of Christina, Martina and the -tina names; famously borne by Tina Turner
Diana divine (the Roman moon goddess); famously borne by Diana Ross
Bruce from a Scottish surname, probably from the town of Brix; famously borne by Bruce Springsteen
Madonna my lady (Italian title of the Virgin Mary); famously borne by Madonna
Dylan son of the sea (Welsh); famously borne by poet Dylan Thomas; famously borne by Bob Dylan, who adopted the name in his honor
Clara clear, bright; famously borne by pianist Clara Schumann
Wolfgang wolf path, traveling wolf; famously borne by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ludwig famous warrior; famously borne by Ludwig van Beethoven
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