(via Quora)
Why is the band “Queen” called “Queen”? What is the story behind the choice of name?
The main reason was clever marketing and imagination on Freddie’s part. He had said he wanted a one-word name as it would have more impact. IMO he wisely fought off Brian’s determination to name their new group “Build Your Own Boat” and Roger’s idea to name them “The Rich Kids”. Also, he had talked about the need for bands to be a little bit outrageous in order to stand out and get noticed when they are trying to…..make a name for themselves. Sorry. Daring to call themselves Queen did just that. Surely there was some outrage at the cheekiness of commandeering the name Queen inside the British Monarchy. He loved the monarchy. He had seen suffering on the part of citizens in his former countries because of widespread corruption among government officials and greatly appreciated Britain’s legal system. He also loved the regal and grandiose connotation of the name. The gay connotation lent itself well to the glam rock and androgyny that became so popular during that period. He pointed out that King wouldn’t have had the same impact because it doesn’t have the same ring or aura as “Queen”. He was right. He was even thinking of the phonetic sound of the name in addition to the multiple meanings behind the word.
Here’s a great quote by Freddie: “It’s just a name, but it’s very regal obviously, and it sounds splendid. It couldn’t have been King, it doesn’t have the same ring or aura as Queen. It’s a strong name, very universal and immediate. It had a lot of visual potential and was open to all sorts of interpretations. I was certainly aware of gay connotations, but that was just one facet of it.”
“Visual potential” Freddie studied fashion and graphic design/advertising and was thinking ahead. “Queen” lent itself so well visually. It made for a distinctive and regal band crest that Freddie designed. They used a crown lighting rig at one point and if it weren’t for the name Queen we wouldn’t have the memories and images of Freddie wearing the crown and robe during his final appearances. That’s hard to imagine.
The icing on the cake for Freddie must have been the fact that he was gay and in the closet at the time they adopted the name. Freddie was a subversive wedge in a time of homophobia. You can’t tell me he didn’t relish the name Queen for this reason as well.
Every Moment Has A Song 