It’s no secret that nicknames often carry a personal touch, but they can also be a source of irritation. For Eddie Van Halen, one nickname stood out as particularly grating. Surprisingly, it wasn’t some obscure label or a teasing moniker from his childhood.
The nickname Eddie disliked was none other than “Eddie” itself. While fans and the public embraced the name as a casual shorthand, those close to him knew it wasn’t his preference.
His brother, Alex Van Halen, recently revealed this lesser-known detail about Eddie’s life. It’s a small insight into the man behind the guitar genius, offering fans a glimpse of the personal quirks that made him unique.
The Name a Legend Preferred
While the world knew him as “Eddie,” those closest to Van Halen knew better. According to Chris Jericho on Talk Is Jericho, the late guitarist’s bandmates often called him “Ed,” a nickname that stuck despite Eddie’s dislike.
“He hated it,” Alex Van Halen shared with Jericho, reflecting on the name’s widespread use. Despite its popularity, Eddie wasn’t a fan of the casual shorthand and often wished for a different choice.
As Alex explained, “He didn’t like it, but it was something that just sort of became his name.” To him, “Edward” was the name that truly resonated—though he rarely had the chance to be addressed that way.
The Iconic Band Name That Almost Wasn’t
Before Eddie Van Halen’s dislike of the nickname “Eddie” was revealed, Alex Van Halen shared another surprising story. Early on, there was hesitation about using their family name as the band’s moniker. While now synonymous with electrifying music and a party vibe, the choice wasn’t always obvious.
Alex credited David Lee Roth for the idea, saying, “He’s the one who had suggested it.” Despite its current iconic status, the name faced skepticism even from within the industry.
Gene Simmons, who briefly worked with the band, once remarked that “Van Halen” sounded more like a shirt company. He suggested names like “Virus” instead. Still, the band trusted their instincts and stuck with Van Halen—solidifying it as a name for the ages.
“It Sounded Awkward in Terms of Being Egomaniacal”
At first, using the Van Halen name for the band felt strange. “It sounded awkward in terms of being egomaniacal,” Alex Van Halen admitted. But over time, the brothers grew comfortable with it, and the name became legendary.
Alex shared an interesting origin story about the name. “The actual name means that you came from a town called Halen,” he explained. “The ‘Van’ is just a preface, like ‘Mac’ in Scottish names. It means ‘from’ or ‘of.’ So, we are from Halen.”
The drummer even tried to add a coat of arms to the band’s image, but it proved challenging. “Holland wouldn’t do it,” Alex said. “You have to live there for a while. You can’t mail it in. So, that’ll have to wait.”