10 brand name ideas:
Brand naming tips
- Check domain availability before falling in love with a name
- Say it out loud — if it's hard to pronounce, it'll be hard to remember
- Search the USPTO trademark database before committing
- Test your shortlist with 5–10 people in your target market
What makes a great brand name?
The best brand names pass three tests: they're easy to say, easy to spell, and easy to remember. Beyond that, a great name has emotional resonance — it either clearly communicates what the brand does, or it evokes the feeling the brand wants customers to have.
Think of the brands you use daily. Apple. Stripe. Notion. Duolingo. Each name is short, distinct, and either directly relevant or abstractly evocative. None of them sound generic — they sound ownable.
Brand naming approaches
Real word: An existing word given new meaning in a new context. Apple, Amazon, Slack, Discord. Memorable but may require more marketing to establish association.
Made-up word (coined): Invented from scratch or combined syllables. Spotify, Kodak, Häagen-Dazs. Highly trademarkable, globally neutral.
Descriptive: Says what it does. YouTube, Salesforce, Whole Foods. Instantly clear but harder to trademark and differentiate.
Founder name / acronym: Named after a person or abbreviation. IBM, GE, McKinsey. Works for heritage brands but limits future pivots.
Brand name checklist
Before committing to a name, verify: Is the .com available? Does it pass the radio test (understandable when spoken aloud)? Is it free from negative connotations in key markets? Is the social handle available? Could it be trademarked in your category?
Run a quick Google search for the name. Check the USPTO trademark database (tess.uspto.gov) if you're in the US, or your regional equivalent. Domain squatters can make great names expensive — but names with .co, .io, or hyphenated domains are increasingly acceptable for startups.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my brand name is taken?
Should the name reflect what my business does?
How much should I spend on a brand name?
Name chosen? Now build the brand
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