How to Create an Awesome Business Name + Free Name Generator
In this article and video tutorial, I'll show you a few techniques for creating a killer business name.
If you're reading this article there is a good chance that you are interested in creating a great business name. While coming up with a business name can be a challenge, I've found that it tends to be a lot easier than people make it out to be.
Ummm… I’m confused…
So if you're ready to join us on an adventure to create an awesome business name, you've come to the right place. Enjoy!
Watch the Business Name Generation Tutorial
Here is the video tutorial on creating a business name. In the tutorial we cover what to look for in a business name and a few practical tips for creating one. I hope you love it!
Download the Business Name Generation Tool
Want to download the free business name generation tool? Just click the button below. The spreadsheet is available to all Curious Refuge subscribers. If you don't have an account you can create one by hitting the 'Join' button at the top of the page.
4 Things to Look for When Deciding on a Business Name
Here are four important things to look for when deciding on the right business name for your company. Here's a quick list:
It is Easy to Say
It is Catchy
It Evokes the Right Feeling
It is Available
Let's go into a little more detail on these.
1. The Name Should Be Easy to Say
More than anything, the name needs to be easy to say. Word of mouth advertising is a critical marketing channel, and if your name is hard to say... it will be hard to share.
2. The Name Should Be Catchy
A good name will stick with you after you hear it. This can be achieved through:
Simplicity - Apple, Uber, Spotify, Nike, Zoom. This route is usually expensive, competitive, and not ideal for small businesses.
Alliteration - Coca-Cola, PayPal, American Apparel, SquareSpace, Dunkin' Donuts. Just repeat the first letter of each word.
Rhymes - StubHub, Piggily Wiggly, 7 Eleven, Shari's Berries,
Rolls off the Tongue - Curious Refuge, Spotify, Todoist,
Whoa… 7Eleven rhymes?! I never even realized that!
3. The Name Should Evoke the Right Feeling
All business names carry emotion. That's why it is essential for you to connect with the way a name makes you feel.
For example, a watch company called 'Purple Sun Watches' feels very different from a company named 'Wayne & Ward'. Off just the name alone I can assume that Wayne and Ward is likely more luxurious and worth more money, even if they sell the same products.
A name can dramatically change the perceived value of your products.
4. The Name Should Be Available
It's kinda a no brainer, but your name needs to be available to use. A lot of great names are unfortunately taken, so it's important to do your homework.
The fastest way to check if a name is available is to simply use namecheck, a free online service for checking name availability across the web.
You want to look for the .com extension, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. It also doesn't hurt to have the other social media channels available as well.
You'll also want to do a basic Google search to see what pops up when you search the business name.
Darn…. this business name is a little too close.
When you decide to officially form and file your business, the Secretary of State's office will review your name see if your business name is taken by another company in your state. If the name is taken, my friend you're out of luck. So do yourself a favor now and do your homework.
A Note on '.com' Extensions
You don't 100% have to have the .com extension anymore. We are all familiar with the .co, .io, and .ly extensions, but there are a lot of new domains extensions that could play into your name if you get clever with it.
So if you want your new site to have a .pizza extension, my friend you are in luck. I'm not even kidding.
But seriously... try to get the .com if you can.
5 Ways to Create a Business Name
Now that we know the rules, lets learn a few techniques for generating awesome names.
1. Kindergarten Connectors
The easiest way to create a business name is to fuse together two simple words that a five year-old would understand, followed by an industry name. Just select a simple adjective, and a simple noun, add them together and you have a name. Notable real-world examples are:
Best Buy
StubHub
PayPal
Starbucks
Because your company is brand new you'll also want to throw an industry indicator at the end, until your brand becomes a household name. Most companies follow this format in the beginning.
For example, Apple started out as Apple Computers. Starbucks started out as Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice.
As your business transitions to become a household name, you'll be able to simplify your rebrand.
Simple names also make branding and logos much easier
The free download at the top of this page includes a spreadsheet that can generate over 1600 of these names in just a couple of seconds.
Sweet mother of business names…
2. Activated Names
There are a lot of common adjectives and naming conventions for business names, while you definitely want your name to be fun and original, sometimes you can get lucky by following a traditional naming format. All of these businesses follow the same 'Unlimited' format:
Movies Unlimited
Bags Unlimited
Lacross Unlimited
Hope Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited
Activated names take a little research, but thankfully for you, we've already done some of the hard work. Just use the Business Name Generator tool to create a 143 activated names.
Design Fiesta es muy bueno!
3. Location Based Names
Locations have emotion connected to them. For example, Hollywood Nutrition feels radically different than Cambridge Nutrition. One sounds like it is designed for weight loss, the other feels scientific, like it could extend your life.
There are tons of places that stand for something larger than themselves. If you're looking for inspiration, navigate back to the naming generator where you'll find over 50 location-based names for your business.
4. Puns and Rhymes
I'm a big fan of names that utilize language tricks, but if you haven't been blessed by the word fairy it can be hard to come up with clever names. Thankfully for us there are a few fantastic tools for coming up with clever names.
Punchline Design - This website uses advanced language techniques to combine words and find rhymes.
RhymeZone - This site is fantastic for finding words that rhyme. It's also a great tool for songwriting tool.
Punchline Design is amazing… Also if someone doesn’t already have the name Wonderwear, that is a brilliant undies name.
5. Foreign Words
Languages, like locations, have emotions tied to them. Sometimes a simple word in a foreign language connected by an industry modifier can make for a great company name.
For example, Let's say you want to open a luxury fitness studio and you want the name to connect with your love of the sea. Assuming names like Pacific Fitness are taken, what are you going to do?
Well, you could simply find the language that brings out the right emotion, and start typing in simple words into Google to translate. For this example, we'll use French because of it's connection with high-end or luxury items.
After a quick search of 'French Words About Water' we find a few ideas:
l'océan
la mer
le lac
l'étang
la mare
la cascade
We can now pick one and even change up the spelling or accents to fit our needs.
Wow that sounds luxurious!
A Few Bonus Tips on Finding a Business Name
Avoid Misspellings - Avoid the trend to use misspelling in your business name. It creates confusion for your audience and will probably hurt you more in the long rune. Companies like Dribbble and Flickr consistently struggle with brand confusion despite being multi-million dollar companies.
Don't Get Too Specific - Get specific with your audience and product, but not your name. If you call your company West Coast Candles you'll have a harder time expanding your product offering than if you just called it West Coast Living.
Ready to Launch Your Business? Check Out the Curious Millionaire!
If you're serious about launching your own business, go check out the Curious Millionaire. Our online adventure teaches you how to test and launch a business idea from the ground up.
80 On-Demand Videos
79 Interactive Stories
10 Custom Tools
32 Unlockable Treasures
Private Group Access
Hopefully you now feel inspired to create some awesome business names.
Until I see you again dear friend… Au revoir!