Unlocking the Cosmic Riddle: What Gorillaz’s Name REALLY Means—Prepare to Have Your Mind Blown!
Added on August 22, 2025 inCelebrity News Cards
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Ever wonder why the virtual Brits in Gorillaz chose a name that sounds more like a wildlife documentary than a band? I mean, these guys have been dropping earworms from ‘Feel Good Inc’ to ‘On Melancholy Hill’ since 1998, and yet, the mystery around their moniker has baffled fans for decades. Here’s a little cosmic chuckle: Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the creative duo behind this animated ensemble, were both born in 1968—yep, the Year of the Monkey according to the Chinese zodiac. Could destiny have had a cheeky hand in naming a band that’s anything but ordinary? Or is ‘Gorillaz’ just a sly pun hinting at the chaos of band rivalries from Britpop days? Either way, it’s got as many theories spinning as a planet in retrograde. So, buckle up for a wild ride through music, myths, and virtual monkeys who just might be more than meets the eye. LEARN MORE
Fans think they have worked out the meaning behind Gorillaz’s unique name after years of guessing.
Whether it be ‘Feel Good Inc’, ‘On Melancholy Hill’, or ‘Clint Eastwood’, the British virtual band have dropped their fair share of memorable tunes over the years.
Formed back in 1998, the group was dreamt up by Blur frontman Damon Albarn alongside artist Jamie Hewlett, who is responsible for animating all four fictional members.
These include 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs, who feature in the band’s music videos and perform at their live shows.
Since their debut album titled Gorillaz in 2001, they have gone on to be a critically acclaimed act, differing greatly in musical style from Blur by dipping their toes into a number of genres.
Live performances of Gorillaz primarily feature the virtual members (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella)
While the band and its virtual nature are unorthodox to say the least, what’s also unusual is its name.
Where did Gorillaz come from, exactly?
Taking to Reddit, a number of fans shared their own explanations on the matter, with one writing: “Various sources suggest that their simian name was inspired by the fact the pair were born a few weeks apart in 1968, which is in the year of the monkey.”
Indeed, Albarn and Hewlett were both born in 1968, the year of the monkey according to the Chinese zodiac.
Another social media user claimed: “The name of the band Gorillaz is a pun because a group of gorillas is called a band.”
But a different Gorillaz fan explained: “From what I’ve been told, the name ‘Gorillaz’ comes from a comment Liam Gallagher of Oasis made.
“Damon Albarn, the musical force behind Gorillaz, used to be/is in another band called Blur who were a major competitor with Oasis back in the 90s at the peak of Britpop.”
They went on: “An interviewer compared the feud to the battle between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the 60s, and asked Liam whether Oasis were The Beatles or the Stones.
Damon Albarn is the musical mastermind behind Gorillaz (Mairo Cinquetti/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“Liam responded: ‘We’re the Beatles and the Stones, and [Blur are] the f****** Monkees.’ Albarn apparently named his next group Gorillaz to poke fun at this comment,” they claimed.
People have still continued to speculate though, as Radio X highlighted a theory that suggested it was a development from a previous name the band had.
“The band originally identified themselves as ‘Gorilla’, which could be a play on the word ‘guerilla,’ coming from the words guerilla warfare – which is a term used to describe underhand and un-open warfare tactics,” it said.
Apparently, this ‘makes sense’ when you realise Albert and Hewlett were behind the virtual characters.
The former admitted he started the group with the intention of staying anonymous.
“People weren’t meant to know it was me,” Albarn said in a 2017 interview with The Guardian.
“Even now I think, during the gigs, I’m going to be able to go off, go backstage and make myself a drink and a hologram will take my place for a couple of songs.”
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