When the band was first formed in 1970, they went by the name "Smile." However, after Tim Staffell left the band in 1971, Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor decided to change the name of the band to "Queen."
In an interview with Circus magazine, Mercury explained the reason behind the name change:
> "I wanted a name that was memorable and would sound good. But I also wanted a name that would shock and surprise people, something that would stick in their minds. I thought of Queen, and I said, 'That's it!'"