Before finalizing your brand name, say it out loud and use it in conversation and listen to how it rolls off the tongue. Some names mix constants and vowels like Aritzia while others use rhythm to create a sense of flow like Flora and Fauna. Sounds good: A good business name has a ring to it.Try to create a feeling through the use of imaginative and highly visual words. Evokes a feeling: Pottery Barn conveys a curation of rustic furniture through its name alone.There are a few key elements to a really catchy business name. Try your best to get the name right on the first attempt to ensure your business is off to a great start. The last thing to remember: Companies rebrand all the time, but doing so costs time and money. That’s why we recommend brainstorming plenty of ideas and taking the time to mull them over before settling on a winner - don’t expect overnight success! It goes without saying that you have to love your new business name and feel confident about putting it out into the world. Again, check the content of handles that come up in your searches to see who else is using the name. If the exact handle name is unavailable (a likely scenario), there are some easy fixes to try like adding a word or underscore. com address doesn’t conflict with your business. Tip: If your business is limited by geography, a country-specific URL is still a great option (.ca. Do a quick Google search to make sure you aren’t naming your brand after a body part or something crude. The last thing you want is to name your business something that translates poorly in another language. If you say a name and they immediately look confused or barrage you with questions, you may want to rethink its user-friendliness. Ask a few trusted friends or family members to weigh in on your name ideas. Making your ideas feel real will help you determine if they connect! To see how your name ideas look and sound, put them into a logo design, say them out loud in a conversation (or to yourself in the mirror), and draft them in an email signature. Other constraints to try? Coming up with only alliterative names (hello, Squarespace and PayPal), or only ones that begin with verbs (e.g. As you get deeper into brainstorming, limit yourself to coming up with names with only one word or two syllables - it’ll help you focus on coming up with punchier name ideas. And remember: if customers can’t find you, they’ll end up finding someone else! Many people aren’t great spellers, and as of the time of writing this post, there’s no “Did you mean to write this?” system in place for mistyped URLs in browser windows.Ĭhoosing a name that helps people find you quickly can put you ahead of the game. You have the first-round list of original business name ideas - now what? It’s important to choose a name that’s easy to say, spell, and type into Google - even if it’s a made-up word.
Simple brand names are easier to spell-a huge plus when relying on online customers to remember your business and look you up or refer you! A business name shouldn’t be a mashup of words trying to accomplish too many things - it needs to feel good and evoke positive emotions and associations in you and your future customers. If you’re a service-based business, having your service offering in the name can be helpful as a suffix (e.g. How would you describe your company to others? What are you trying to accomplish? What feelings do you want to evoke in your customers? Do certain adjectives come to mind when you think about your business? What do you do differently? Grab a piece of paper and a pen and start writing it all down. One way to future-proof your name - and get out of the singular “this is the product we make or thing we offer” headspace - is to think about your company’s story, values, and key differentiators as you brainstorm. Having a name like Goddess Heels by Fiona wouldn’t be helpful.
Let’s say, for instance, that your company makes women’s shoes, but you think you’ll eventually try to crack the male market. One thing you don’t want to do is create a name that sabotages your future expansion plans or limits your reach. It’s a good idea starter! Examples: Melon Cauli (fruit and vegetable store), Sole Man (shoe repairs), Spoon Me (frozen yogurt brand), and Sensibill (receipt management software). Have a look at these examples of companies with clever titles and think about what you could come up with for your brand identity. Another way to achieve originality is with some deliciously fun wordplay. Flip through the pages and write down words that resonate with you, even if they’re not directly related to your business. Use a hard copy of a dictionary for inspiration, or even one of your favorite novels. If you type a keyword related to your business into its search field, it’ll give you a graph of all of the other words related to it.
Twinword has an awesome free keyword tool that can help you find inspiration for your name.