Final answer:
The original name of the Beatles was The Quarrymen. They underwent several name changes before ultimately becoming known as The Beatles, influenced by the beatnik culture and musical term 'beat'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The original name of the Beatles, when they first started, was The Quarrymen. This name was used by the band during their early performances in the late 1950s. Eventually, the band went through several name changes, including Johnny and the Moondogs and the Silver Beetles, before finally settling on The Beatles. Their choice of name played on the musical term 'beat' and was likely influenced by the popular beatnik culture of the time. The Beatles' transformation from suburban youth icons into leaders of 1960s counterculture shows a fascinating evolution of their image and influence.