10 TV Shows That Originally Had Completely Different Titles

Unexpected Original Titles Of Your Beloved TV Series

Your beloved TV series didn’t always sound so familiar. Get a peek at the quirky rejected titles that shaped the shows you can’t imagine any other way.

Friends - Initially Titled 'Six of One'

“Friends” actually began under the working title Six of One, and that name stayed in place all the way through filming the pilot. Before that, the creators even toyed with the title Insomnia Café, which shows how different the show could have felt. Interestingly, NBC executives reportedly didn’t love the final title at first, calling Friends “such a snore.”

Grey’s Anatomy - Initially Titled 'Surgeons'

When Shonda Rhimes pitched her now-iconic medical drama, it carried the title Surgeons. The project didn’t settle there, though the team played with several names, including Doctors and Complications, before landing on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Lost - Initially Titled 'Nowhere'

Before becoming ABC’s epic mystery drama, “Lost” was known as Nowhere. The early title captured the unsettling idea of characters stranded with no sense of location or direction. When J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof joined the project, the creative vision expanded and the show took on its now-famous identity.

Lizzie McGuire - Originally Titled 'What’s Lizzie Thinking?'

Before becoming the beloved Disney Channel hit, “Lizzie McGuire” was called What’s Lizzie Thinking?. The original title was the show’s trademark cutaway sequences that reveal Lizzie’s thoughts in animated form. You can even spot this working title on production slates in some of the show’s blooper reels. Eventually, the team went for the character-focused title we know today.

One Tree Hill - Initially Titled 'Ravens'

Before it became “One Tree Hill,” the project was known as Ravens, a reference to the school’s basketball team. This early title made sense for the film version creator Mark Schwahn originally envisioned. However, once the project shifted from a movie to a television series, the team opted for a title with broader meaning and emotional depth.

Seinfeld - Initially Titled 'The Seinfeld Chronicles'

When “Seinfeld” first entered the television world, it was known as The Seinfeld Chronicles. The initial name reflected the show’s observational style but also posed a problem, it sounded too similar to The Marshall Chronicles, another short-lived series airing around the same time. To avoid confusion, the producers shortened the title to the cleaner, more memorable “Seinfeld.”

Stranger Things - Initially Titled 'Montauk'

Before it became a nostalgic sci-fi phenomenon, “Stranger Things” began as a project called Montauk, named after a real location in New York. The story was originally set on Long Island, inspired by urban legends tied to that area. As development continued, the creators relocated the setting to Indiana and retitled the series to better capture its spooky, mysterious vibe.

That ’70s Show - Initially Titled 'Teenage Wasteland'

“That ’70s Show” nearly debuted under the title Teenage Wasteland, inspired by the classic rock era the series celebrates. However, the name didn’t stick. Fox believed viewers would end up referring to it conversationally as “that ’70s show,” so they turned that natural phrase into the official title.

The Big Bang Theory - Initially Titled 'Lenny, Penny, and Kenny'

The early version of “The Big Bang Theory” focused so much on its main trio that it was initially called Lenny, Penny, and Kenny. Back then, Sheldon’s character was actually named Kenny, so when his name changed, the title naturally had to shift too.

Wizards of Waverly Place - Initially Titled 'The Amazing O’Malleys'

“Wizards of Waverly Place” started development under the title The Amazing O’Malleys. That early version centered on a magical family who owned a magic shop, focusing more on the business and the family’s daily quirks. As the concept shifted toward a more adventure-driven, wizard-training storyline, the show was renamed to better reflect its setting and focus.