Wolfgang Van Halen recently commented on the complexities of securing his band’s name. He addressed the issue in a statement shared on Rock Feed.
Van Halen explained the lengthy process behind dropping “VH” from Mammoth’s name. He revealed that copyright ownership can be unpredictable and time-consuming.
“Copyrights are a very weird thing. There’s random copyrights that like just companies have for like old name, you know, so many people are just like sitting on stuff and Mammoth on its own was not really owned by anyone,” Van Halen said. “But we couldn’t, you know, we had submitted in what, like 2019 or something initially for the copyright. So it took four years, three of which we were out there proving that we are worthy of being that.”
Van Halen drew a parallel to other bands that faced similar naming challenges. He noted that persistence eventually paid off.
“It’s about how Ghost was Ghost BC for the first year or two when they were touring in the States. Because they couldn’t secure the name and then, you know, they outlasted and they were Ghost and so they, you know, so we shed our BC,” he continued.
The breakthrough came during a show in Connecticut. “I remember we were at Toad’s place in New Haven, Connecticut. So, whatever the last show we played there, it was that day that we got the alert. Our copyright attorney was like, ‘Hey, you got it.’ And it was like, ‘Holy sh*t, really?’ So, it was in that moment we’re like, ‘Okay, next album. We’re dropping VH.’ Cuz that’s what we wanted from the beginning.”
The name change represents a significant milestone for Wolfgang Van Halen’s musical career. The band officially dropped the “WVH” from its name in 2025, becoming simply “Mammoth,” according to Guitar World. This change coincided with the release of their new single, “The End,” in May 2025, marking a deliberate shift in how the band presents itself to the world.
The decision to use “Mammoth” as the sole band name carries deep personal significance. The name “Mammoth” is a tribute to his father Eddie Van Halen’s first band, in which Eddie was both singer and guitarist, as noted by Full Access Magazine. Wolfgang had asked his father’s permission to use the name, which was granted—a meaningful connection to his musical heritage that makes the trademark acquisition even more significant.
Wolfgang has emphasized that he always intended “Mammoth” to be the band’s official name. He always referred to the band as “Mammoth” at live shows and wanted the official name to reflect that, according to Anti Music. He also noted that “WVH” was a mouthful and unnecessary now that the trademark was secured, allowing the band’s identity to align with his original vision.
Beyond the practical aspects of trademark law, the name change represents Wolfgang’s broader artistic goal. Wolfgang emphasized that he wants to be recognized for his own work and not just as Eddie Van Halen’s son, per Remi Tech. Dropping “WVH” is part of his effort to establish his own identity while still honoring his musical heritage. The band’s third album, also titled The End, and their subsequent tour are now credited to “Mammoth,” solidifying this new chapter in Wolfgang’s career.
