Rolling Stone has a rundown of some bands whose initial idea for a name was TERRIBLE . . . but thankfully, they came to their senses and changed the name before it became too late.

Check them out!:

1.  Early name:  The Golliwogs . . . Final name:  Creedence Clearwater Revival   

2.  Early name:  The Polka Tulk Blues Band . . . Final name:  Black Sabbath

3.  Early name:  The Shrinky Dinks . . . Final name:  Sugar Ray

4.  Early name:  Pud . . . Final name:  The Doobie Brothers

5.  Early name:  The Salty Peppers . . . Final name:  Earth, Wind and Fire

6.  Early name:  Soft White Underbelly . . . Final name:  Blue Öyster Cult

7.  Early name:  Screaming Abdabs . . . Final name:  Pink Floyd

8.  Early name:  Wicked Lester . . . Final name:  KISS

9.  Early name:  The Pendeltons . . . Final name:  The Beach Boys

10.  Early name:  Atomic Mass  . . . Final name:  Def Leppard

11.  Early name:  Smile . . . Final name:  Queen

12.  Early name:  The Obelisk . . . Final name:  The Cure

Check out the full list at RollingStone.com