Let’s take a look at how great name ideas are found. This guide will take you through the entire process of naming your business, from the initial preparation, through the brainstorming stage, and all the way up to choosing the perfect name for your brand.
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Preparation
Before you jump into the name ideation process, it helps to do a little prepwork. Here are some things you should do in preparation for your brainstorming session:Create a Brand Brief
If you don’t have a clear vision of what your business is all about, finding the right name ideas is difficult. A brand brief will help you clarify key parts of your business, and serve as a reference when coming up with name ideas.
Here are some questions we find helpful, but feel free to add your own:
- What does your company do?
- Who is your target market?
- What is your company’s mission statement?
- What is your brand’s style?
- What are your dreams and objectives for your business?
- What is your brand’s value proposition?
Analyze Successful Brand Names in Your Niche
Before generating your own name ideas, it helps to take a look at other brand names within your industry. Analyzing established competitors will give you insight into what works and what doesn’t, and provide inspiration for your own naming process.
Find Your Brainstorming Group
The last piece of preparation you need before you start brainstorming name ideas is to figure out who you will be brainstorming with. Even if you are a solo-entrepreneur and going it alone, it helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of. Keep in mind when forming your brainstorming group that diversity of perspective is a good thing when it comes to idea generation. You want people you feel comfortable sharing ideas with, but whose experiences and tastes can serve as a counterweight to your own.
Brainstorming
After you are properly prepared, it is time to brainstorm name ideas. Keep in mind that the goal of a great brainstorming session is to come up with as many ideas as possible, not to judge those ideas. Judging comes later. For now, your group should focus on letting the creative juices flow.Not sure where to begin? Here is one of our favorite brainstorming strategies:
Use Name Types as Prompts
Did you know that there are different types of business names, each with their own unique advantages? Using various name types as prompts will help you come up with as many different names as possible. Here are some different name types you can use to generate your ideas.
Descriptive Names(TripAdvisor, Salesforce) - Descriptive names give people an idea of what your business does, and/or its value proposition.
Brandable Names(Google, Xerox) - Brandable names are invented - they aren’t limited to words in the dictionary.
Experiential Names(StumbleUpon, Bumble) - Experiential names are inspired by the experience of using a product or service.
Evocative Names(Red Bull, Honey) - Evocative names use metaphor and imagery to relate a feeling or idea of what the business aspires to achieve.
Expression-Based Names(In-N-Out, DoorDash) - Expression names are instantly familiar and easy to remember because they are based on common expressions in culture and language.
Perhaps you are looking for an experimental or evocative name?
Do you want your name to be an invented name, or would you like a name that includes a keyword that draws customers directly to your name?
Rinse and Repeat
Once you’ve generated around 20 solid name ideas using style prompts, use your new list of name ideas as inspiration for even better names. Take a look at your list. Are there any name ideas that are close to what you are looking for, but not quite there? Those are the names you want to build upon and improve.
THE CUTTING BOARD
Now that you have a sizable list of name ideas to work with, it’s time to start separating the mediocre from the great. Here’s our process for whittling down name ideas:
Cut the Weakest Links
Look over your list. Odds are there are some names on that list that are obviously not up to par, and they probably stick out like a sore thumb. You’ll want to cut those first - bad ideas are a momentum-killer.
Check Against Best Practices
Now use naming best practices to filter out more names. When analyzing a name, ask yourself the questions below. If the answer to one or more of these questions is no, that name may not be a good fit.
- Is the name simple and memorable?
- Is the name easy to read, pronounce, and spell?
- Is the name different from competitors?
- Does the name convey a relevant meaning?
- Is the name broad enough to grow with your brand?
Go Back to Your Brief
At this point, you should have a list of quality name ideas. However, just because it is a quality name, doesn’t mean it’s the right name for your business. That’s why you should go back to your brand brief. Does the name fit the brand attributes that you outlined in your brief? Does it highlight or accentuate any of them? If the answer is no, then the name is probably a no as well.
Make a Shortlist
Let’s assume you have cut enough names that you are only left with the cream of the crop. That means it’s time to do something even harder: narrow it down to one name! Here are the final steps we’ll take to do so:
Check if It’s Available
If you plan on doing business online, you’ll also need a matching domain. Using a domain name registrar like Godaddy is a quick and painless way of checking name availability. Just type your name into the search box, and they will tell you if the matching .com (or your desired domain extension) is available.
Get Feedback
At this stage, it’s a good idea to get some outside feedback on your name idea finalists. When gathering feedback on a business name, it’s best to ask either potential clients or people who work in that field - this is your target audience after all. If you can’t find anyone like this, trusted friends and family will do in a pinch. Take this feedback into consideration when choosing your name.
Make Your Final Choice:
You probably have two or three names left to choose from. Our advice? Go with your gut. Choose the one you absolutely love.
Having trouble picking your favorite?
Love more than one? Lucky you! Usually, letting it stew for a few days gradually narrows your focus to one name that then stands alone as the perfect name for your brand.
Maybe, you just don’t quite love any of the names on your shortlist. Don’t despair - choosing the right name is a process. Take it from the top. Getting the name that’s right for you is important, so take your time. If you need more name ideas fast, try a naming contest!
Name Ideas By Industry
Every industry is unique with its own style, tone and requirements. Our industry-specific naming guides will help you generate naming ideas relevant to your specific niche.
Name Styles
What style and tone do you want your business name to evoke? Whatever your industry, your company’s name will help you to project the unique and individual style that your business brings to the table. Here are some of today’s most popular styles.
Trendy Names
Every industry evolves at its own pace. For marketplaces that rapidly evolve, a trendy name has a fresh and modern appeal.
Classy Names
Perhaps you want your brand to attract with elegance and sophistication. Classy names evoke grace, grandeur, and staying power.
Cool Names
The 'It' factor can't be easily explained, but it's instantly recognized. Cool names are magnetic and charismatic and effortlessly attract.
Unique Names
Unique names set you and your business apart. They reveal and reflect the exclusive charm of your brand.
Explore names for trending words and ideas.
Having helped many entrepreneurs find the perfect name for their business, we have a good idea of what people are looking for in a name. Here are some name ideas for some words that are popular right now.
"Cool" Name Ideas
- Vertora
- Modeti
- Firio
- Bronxo
- Wemodo
"Smart" Name Ideas
- Iniqa
- Xereti
- Zaceli
- CatchingSun
- Vixico
"Product" Name Ideas
- Soratu
- Ovosy
- Partheum
- Stemvera
- Lumexa
"Store" Name Ideas
- Tirima
- Alcotta
- LilyAndOak
- Dropoid
- Xereti
Top Name Ideas Generated by Our Community of Creatives
Whether you are starting a blog, a website, or a business, one of these exclusive brand names may be just what you are looking for. Use our suggestions, or browse for more fabulous business names.
- BoltGuard
- CoinSugar
- Moratu
- OutPhase
- CultureBot
- CashOK
- ShirtShuffle
- HoneyDo