Naming your guitar can be confusing. Some of you may wonder whether it is even worth your while, and some of you are probably just lost due to the enormous selection and options. We are here to clear the fog and guide you through this task.
Naming a guitar is a subjective and artistic task. You can come up with a good guitar name by drawing inspiration from various sources, like your own life experiences, your favorite artists, or the guitar’s looks and origins. You can even try scouring name lists, mythologies, and other notable sources.
There are various techniques you can use in order to find the right name for your guitar. In this article, we broke down the whole process into small bite-size pieces. Let’s start with the obvious questions that every guitar player asks himself before naming his beloved:
Should You Name Your Guitar?
Naming your guitar is a personal decision. It is not necessary to give a name to your guitar, but some guitar players believe it helps to form a deeper connection with the instrument. As a whole, the decision to name your guitar or not is entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable with.
Some players take a more practical approach, claiming that a guitar is simply an instrument and that naming it is a waste of time. However, many famous guitarists like BB King, George Harrison, Clapton, and Jeff Buckley have named their guitars, suggesting that there may be more to it.
On the other hand, some players believe that naming a guitar is a meaningful process that should be taken seriously. While this perspective is valid, it’s important to remember that a guitar’s primary purpose is to create music, and excessive contemplation may take away from playing time.
How To Name a Guitar
In this section, we will delve deeper into the various ways that can be utilized in finding a fitting and unique name for your beloved guitar.
#1 Base Your Guitar’s Name on Your Life Experiences
When searching for a fitting name for your guitar, consider basing it on personal experiences. Think about the memorable moments that have shaped who you are, like falling in love or accomplishing a big goal. Who or what was a part of these moments? Use your imagination and come up with a name that’s both cool and meaningful. Just remember, steer clear of naming your guitar after someone or something that may bring up negative memories or emotions.
BB King, during an interview, when asked why did he name his guitar Lucille?
I was playing in one of the states called Arkansas, in a little town called Twist Arkansas, and it used to get quite cold in winter, and so they used to take something like a big garbage platter, set it in the middle of the dance floor, half fill it with Kerosene, light that fuel and that’s what all of us used for heat.
While people were dancing, two guys started a fight and knocked down the container… it looked like a river of fire… Everybody started to run to the front door, including me, but I forgot I left my guitar inside so I went back for it and almost lost my life trying to save my guitar…
I didn’t know the lady that I was told these guys were fighting about but they told me her name was Lucille. I named that guitar Lucille that very day to remind me never to go back into a burning building trying to take a guitar…
Arkansas State Archives
#2 Name Your Guitar After Another Artist or Art Piece.
Finding a unique and fitting name for your guitar could be inspired by the world of art. Consider your favorite artists and what makes them special to you. Look beyond just music and delve into names from other forms of art, such as painting, sculpture, or photography. You can even name your guitar after a beloved actor, director, or character, real or imagined. The possibilities are endless!
| Artistic Fields | Name your guitar after… |
|---|---|
| Art | Painters, Sculptures, Photographers |
| Stage Arts | Dancers, Comedians, Magicians, Opera Singers |
| Film | Directors, Actors, Characters |
| Music | Artists, Albums, Songs |
| Literature | Writers, Poets, Books |
| Architecture | Buildings, Structures, Landmarks |
| Fashion | Designers, Styles, Trends |
| Science | The science world could also be a good source for finding a good guitar name. Check this list of scientific occupations. It may spark an idea! |
In August 1968, Eric Clapton gifted a red Les Paul to his friend George Harrison, who named it Lucy after the iconic redhead comedian Lucille Ball.
#3 Name Your Guitar by Embracing its Aesthetic
With a little imagination, you can give your guitar a name that matches its unique personality and characteristics! Whether it has a rough and tough appearance or a gentle and delicate vibe, you can draw inspiration from its physical attributes, such as its color, age, or material composition.
It’s rumored that Eric Clapton came up with the unique names of his guitars, Brownie and Blackie, not only because of their appearance but also for practicality. The straightforward names were easier for stage workers who were unfamiliar with guitar model names to understand and made for smoother communication during live performances.
#4 Give Your Guitar a Name Based on Its Place of Birth
How about giving your guitar a cultural twist by naming it after its country of origin? With most guitar factories located in countries like the USA, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, China, India, and Indonesia, you have a world of options to choose from!
Hunt down famous heroes, artists, or just traditional names that are specific to the region where your guitar was made. For instance, if your guitar was crafted in Mexico, why not give it a name that pays homage to the rich culture of the region, like a famous Mexican artist or a traditional Mexican name?
#5 Give Your Guitar a Name With Descriptive Identity
How about naming your guitar based on its unique features? Give your instrument a descriptive moniker that showcases its physical or musical attributes. For instance, if your guitar is black and has a tough, metal-inspired look, consider names like Dark Matter or Black Hole. On the other hand, if your guitar boasts a bright blue hue and a shimmering sound, why not call it Bright Sky or Blue Moon? Embrace your creativity and give your guitar a name that truly represents it.
#6 Military-Radio Guitar Names
You can tap into the power of the phonetic military alphabet to come up with a unique and cool name for your guitar. Originally created to prevent misunderstandings in radio communications, these names not only serve a practical purpose but also have a cool ring to them.
You can find a complete list of cool-sounding phonetic military names like Alpha, Bravo, Falcon, Delta, and Charlie right here.
#7 Masculine vs. Feminine Guitar Names
The gender of a guitar name is entirely up to personal preference. Typically, male guitar players opt for feminine names, perhaps due to the intimate or romantic relationship they have with their instrument. Examples include Jeff Buckley’s Grace, BB King’s Lucille, and George Harrison’s Lucy, while Willie Nelson’s Trigger is a masculine name. Ultimately, the choice between a feminine, masculine, or neutral name is yours to make.
Rules for Naming a Guitar
It should come to you, don’t try to force it.
Naming your guitar is a form of artistic expression, similar to playing the instrument itself. Take your time and evaluate your guitar before deciding on a suitable name. Explore creative methods to arrive at a nickname that is unique and meaningful. Trust your instincts. If it feels like the right name, it probably is. Don’t force it.
Don’t Let Anyone Else Name Your Guitar.
Turning to guitar forums for a quick name for your guitar may be convenient, but relying on a stranger to name your cherished instrument seems to defeat the purpose. Naming your guitar establishes a deep and personal connection with a tool for making music, and the act of naming it should reflect that artistic connection.
