A lot of companies end up failing or spending millions that shouldn’t be spent after creating a ridiculous name that makes no sense and doesn’t describe what they do. Avoid the headache and start out with a bang. Here are some criteria to create a great name.
1 – Originality
That’s a “no duh” one. However, if it’s a no duh then why do so many people make that mistake?
- Make sure you can trademark the logo.
- Make sure the domain is available. If it’s not, no sweat its not game over. Get creative–SEO, brevity and effectiveness should be kept in mind as you search. If you’re stuck try tools like:
They will save you many headaches. Don’t know where to start? try this.
2 – Wiggle Room
Does your name get up and go? Can you apply the name to other mediums and if you ever hire on designers will it let them easily design for it?
- Make sure you have room for the name to move around. I’ve worked for a few companies that have struggled endlessly with even going as far as releasing videos how to pronounce their names because it was so confusing. Don’t make that mistake, make sure you have room to grow with the name. “Xoomdum” is probably a bad name to use where as “ZoomBoom” might be better. The latter connects with sounds, video elements, maybe even touch.
- does the name provide room for a good logo? Abstract names tend to be harder to design for and don’t describe WHAT you do.
- Does it make your imagination go wild or maybe connect with several senses; like smell, touch, taste, sound?
3 – Does it work for you?
Does it describe what you do?
If you sell medieval armor and call your self ‘Techniques’? *alarm sound* bad idea, it might sound good at first but if it can describe another business easily, i.e. recording studio, computer repair and so on, then you should probably keep looking. Make sure it sound like what you do, do some research. If it’s medieval armor you sell, look up what the cities were called, what the kings names where, something that is unique to what you do.
4 – They love me, they really love me!
get feedback, is your name likable?
Ask some friends, family, strangers or anyone you can for that matter. Usually the first name you come up with isn’t the best, so try a few and let people choose. When you say “Nike” you get a overall good felling (at least from the name), and if you understand mythology it makes you feel even better. It’s a hidden reward built into the very thing your identified by.
5 – Type-o-City
Make it easy.
If I had a nickle for every bad name I’ve worked with, I wouldn’t be writing this blog post, I would be swimming in a pool of nickles breaking a world record. MAKE IT EASY TO SPELL AND PRONOUNCE, period. It doesn’t get simpler than that.
6 – Keep it short
Short is good
this is by no means insulting to your demographic. Keeping it short makes it easy to remember and makes it resistant to being given a nickname, which in the long run will cause confusion. Minimalism is the name of the game here, if you can keep it to one word, do it. Two words are still OK if they are necessary to describe what you do.
7 – King of the court
Make yourself stand out.
- Will the name make you stand out?
- will it ring in the depths of your psyche?
- What about your name will make you stand out from the competition?
Review:
- Keep it original, use tools.
- Wiggle room, does it have room to grow?
- Describe what you do.
- Get feedback
- Make it easy to spell
- Keep it short, if possible.
- Make yourself stand out.
it’s all necessary to ask these questions. Follow through with this process and you wont be disappointed! Good hunting.
What do you think makes a good name? Lets hear what you have.
another great post. love it, you need to get twitter so I can follow you.
domainr is amazing, I really like how it will live update. definitely a time saver.
this is definitely one of the hardest parts of the process, especially since a lot of the good names are already taken. the domain tools section is particularly helpful.
I made the mistake of starting a business that was trademarked already, I had to go through a ridiculous process to fix it, not to mention money. #1 should definitely be on the checklist.
those websites sure are going to save me a ton of time.
those websites are awesome! *bookmarked*
not a game, more like pull your hair out ritual.
You guys really know how to write a blog! This was extremely helpful. Thank you vey much.
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