<P> The original name for the new lineup of Otis Williams , Melvin Franklin , Elbridge `` Al '' Bryant , Eddie Kendricks , and Paul Williams was the Elgins . Under that name , the group auditioned for Motown in March 1961 . Already impressed with some of the members after hearing session work , Berry Gordy agreed to sign the group to the Motown imprint , Miracle . However , before signing , Gordy discovered another group was using the name of Elgins . The group began tossing about ideas for a new name on the steps of the Hitsville U.S.A. studio . On a suggestion from Miracle Records employee Billy Mitchell , songwriter Mickey Stevenson , and group members Otis Williams and Paul Williams , the Temptations became the group 's new moniker . The `` Elgins '' name re-surfaced at Motown in 1965 , when Gordy renamed a quartet called the Downbeats as the Elgins . </P>
who came up with the group name the temptations
Otis Williams Paul Williams Billy Mitchell Mickey Stevenson