AC/DC fans shocked to discover real meaning of band’s name

The origins of the Aussie rock band’s name has surprised fans. See how the famous rockers came to be known as AC/DC.

You’ve been thunderstruck.

AC/DC fans are discovering that a sewing machine inspired the ’70s rock band’s name.

While the group’s catchy tunes like “Highway to Hell” and “You Shook Me All Night Long” are still being played on airwaves across America, one Reddit user reignited questions about how the rockers got their name in the first place.

One user suggested people thought AC/DC stood for “anti-Christian Devil children” but then revealed the actual origins are much more innocent.

AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott (right) and guitarist Angus Young (front) with other band members in early undated photo. Picture: Supplied

Founding members Angus Young and his brother Malcolm – who died in 2017 from the effects of dementia – were brainstorming names for the band ahead of a New Year’s Eve show at a night club when their sister-in-law, Margaret, suggested the name AC/DC, which was inspired by her sewing machine’s AC adapter.

She also suggested they use a lightning bolt as their logo.

“Her sewing machine had AC/DC on the back of it,” Malcolm shared in a “Behind the Music” VH1 documentary. “We were tossing around names for weeks and she just said it one night and everyone went ‘That’s good.’”

“I thought it’s an easy name to remember and it was on the side of a lot of electrical appliances,” original singer Dave Evans said during a recent interview on the Podpokas Podcast.

Rock band AC/DC members Angus Young with Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, Malcolm Young and Phil Rudd.

An AC adapter converts alternating current (AC) from a wall outlet into direct current (DC) that can be used by electronic devices.

Angus and Malcolm agreed that the name would match their electric performances and the band unanimously agreed to call their group AC/DC.

AC/DC is supposed to be pronounced one letter at a time but reportedly people in Australia call it “Acca Dacca.”

Even the branding of AC/DC aligned with the theme of their first studio album “High Voltage with the 1976 record having songs like “The Jack,” “Live Wire” and “T.N.T.”

Band AC/DC with lead singer Bon Scott in front. Picture: File Photo

In 1979, the “Highway to Hell” album’s song, with the same name, landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s mainstream charts and has received over 1.8 billion streams on Spotify.

But the band’s early success also came with heartbreak.

Lead singer Bon Scott died of alcohol poisoning before the recording of their 1980 album “Back In Black” which featured “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

It became one of the best-selling albums of all time.

In over 50 years, the band has received 10 Grammy award nominations and one win.

The rockers are gearing up for their 2025 world tour starting in April in Minneapolis.

This story was originally published in The New York Post.

Originally published as AC/DC fans shocked to discover real meaning of band’s name