Mystery around how Coldplay got their name solved after 25 years

Coldplay has been a worldwide phenomenon for more than two decades, selling millions of albums and performing in packed stadiums globally. However, while their music is known for its stunning live performances and emotive lyrics, one question has been hotly debated by fans: What does the name Coldplay actually mean?

Over time, various theories have surfaced, countless discussions have taken place both online and offline, and even the band members have given differing explanations. Now, it appears that the origin of the band's name is only just becoming clear to many. The answer lies in poetry, but it may not satisfy everyone.

Coldplay didn't always go by that name. When Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland first formed a band in 1996, they performed under the moniker Pectoralz. It's anyone's guess whether they would have achieved the same level of success had they retained that name.

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When bassist Guy Berryman joined the group in 1997, they rebranded as Starfish and started playing small gigs around London. Their debut concert under this new name was at The Laurel Tree in Camden on January 16, 1998 - a gig that sold out, reportedly because they persuaded everyone they knew to buy tickets.

One Coldplay Timeline article recounts: "Jonny, Guy, Will, and Chris played their first gig - but not as Coldplay. The gig was completely sold out - mainly as a result of the band's persuasive skills amongst their friends. Most of these folks, though, continued to come to all of Coldplay's early shows, so it can't have been too bad.."

Yet the Starfish moniker didn't stick for long, with band members candidly confessing they picked it hastily and were eagerly seeking a cooler label. The switch to Coldplay originated from a friend at UCL, Tim Crompton, who stumbled upon the name in a 1997 poetry book called Child's Reflection, which featured the poem Cold Play by Philip Horky. Though Crompton originally fancied it for his own band, he later changed his mind. Chris Martin, seizing the opportunity, asked if he could adopt the name for his band.

Beyond the poetic link, the band’s attitude toward the name has been fairly nonchalant. In the documentary A Head Full of Dreams, they concede the choice was made because "it sounded cool."

Even Chris isn’t clear on what Coldplay precisely represents, and Guy Berryman confessed his reservations about it, allegedly remarking he isn't a fan, but acknowledged it's far too late for a rebrand.

A fan on the r/Coldplay subreddit dug deep into the band's name and came up with a profound interpretation. They wrote: "Cold is when you're heartbroken, hopeless, depressed, lonely, etc. Play is a reminder that this life is just a game, really. Everything in our lives is temporary, and we should do our best to have fun!"

Following their analysis of the music video for Coldplay's 2019 track Cry Cry Cry, which showcases a couple's dance through reincarnation, they concluded that the name Coldplay echoes the message that life's cycles should be savoured, despite the inevitable struggles.

Further musings from the fanbase contemplate an alternate universe where the group retained their original moniker, Starfish. A fan reflected: "In an alternate reality, maybe Coldplay kept the name Starfish.

"In that case, the name Starfish reminds me how starfish can regrow their limbs after being cut off. Helps me remember to always try my best and not worry about the outcome. Everything is temporary, and life can always get fixed. Persistence!".

However, some enthusiasts aren't convinced about the profound significance behind it. A sceptical Redditor commented: "Watching the A Head Full of Dreams film, I think one of them suggested it was a s**t name (around the XandY time, I believe), so I'm not entirely sure it was meant to mean anything. But that doesn't stop it from meaning something to you."