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Mike Bucci advised on 15 Nov 2011
Successful Entrepreneur, Inventor and Author of "Start Living the American Dream: An Entrepreneurs Guide to Turning Your Idea Into Your Future"
Good names distinguish your product from competitors, appeal to your target audience, imply the product’s benefit and are available for legal protection. While this combination may not always be easy to find, it certainly is achievable. As you have been thinking about your idea, inevitably some possible names have come to mind. An initial internet search should highlight if existing businesses/products are already using that name. Another business already using that name does not definitely preclude you from using that name but may impact your name choice.
You can fairly easily understand if that name is available for legal protections by searching existing trademarks on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website (www.USPTO.gov) and speaking with a patent and trademark attorney. If one of the names that you have been considering is available, you should have an attorney confirm that you can apply for that name and support you in filing for the trademark.
It can take months to ultimately find the "right" name. The process starts with defining the type of name that you want. There are multiple types of names that can be considered, but descriptive and suggestive names are generally best for new and unique products.
• Descriptive names ascribe to the product a characteristic, feature, ingredient, or appearance.
• Suggestive names hint at a product’s key features or benefits.
(Note: There are also evocative names that can be any random thing that you want... 82FB.com???)
1. Think about the type of name that you are looking for.
2. Then find a space where you can start brainstorming potential names (thinking about descriptive or suggestive words that work for your business). Start listing out words.
3. Take these words and look for combinations or alterations that may work for you.
4. Perform a quick search to make sure that you are not jumping on someone else's name.
5. Seek feedback from potential customers (business advisors, etc..) of how well the name resonates
6. If you find something that really works, check into securing trademark protections.
You can fairly easily understand if that name is available for legal protections by searching existing trademarks on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website (www.USPTO.gov) and speaking with a patent and trademark attorney. If one of the names that you have been considering is available, you should have an attorney confirm that you can apply for that name and support you in filing for the trademark.
It can take months to ultimately find the "right" name. The process starts with defining the type of name that you want. There are multiple types of names that can be considered, but descriptive and suggestive names are generally best for new and unique products.
• Descriptive names ascribe to the product a characteristic, feature, ingredient, or appearance.
• Suggestive names hint at a product’s key features or benefits.
(Note: There are also evocative names that can be any random thing that you want... 82FB.com???)
1. Think about the type of name that you are looking for.
2. Then find a space where you can start brainstorming potential names (thinking about descriptive or suggestive words that work for your business). Start listing out words.
3. Take these words and look for combinations or alterations that may work for you.
4. Perform a quick search to make sure that you are not jumping on someone else's name.
5. Seek feedback from potential customers (business advisors, etc..) of how well the name resonates
6. If you find something that really works, check into securing trademark protections.
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One thing I would add to Mike's answer (that I found helpful during my own naming process) is to begin by listing out the products and/or services that your company provides along with the benefits to the customer. That list will give you a good starting point for brainstorming descriptive words that are relevant to your business.
Be sure to look for a name that reflects what you currently do but is flexible enough to allow you to grow.
There is a great discussion about naming service companies in Harry Beckwith's classic book "Selling the Invisible."
Be sure to look for a name that reflects what you currently do but is flexible enough to allow you to grow.
There is a great discussion about naming service companies in Harry Beckwith's classic book "Selling the Invisible."
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A good name brainstorming exercise I've used before is to get a pile of post-it notes and start writing one word on each post-it that describes your company. Don't try to censor yourself...just go with whatever comes to mind even if it doesn't seem relevant at first. Timing yourself can help you avoid overthinking words. Write as many as you can and then try to see if any pairs of words seem good candidates for a name. Repeat as often as you need to. You can have other people contribute to the process as well but it's best to do the brainstorming individually. Repeat as often as you like until you get 5 or so decent candidates. You can then put the final decision to a vote through an online survey instrument. The more feedback you get before the change, the better but it's important that you pick a name that you like as well.
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Carter Hoerr advised on 17 Nov 2011
Experienced Business Manager; National Expert, Online Meal Ordering
Quick tip: check out the Inc. Magazine 500/5000 list (www.inc.com). See what other people are naming their new/growing businesses. What names resonate? How do they relate to the business description (or not)? You can't steal a name ;-) but you might get some good ideas...
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Domain availability is not as constraining as one might think. Use for example who.is to quickly check the domain availability - shall a name you like be taken think of what elements made this name so appealing to you (or best your audience) in the first place. When you understand those building blocks try to experiment with them to achieve 'online uniqueness'. Even if your name is available you don't want to have a 1.3 million hits why googling it.
Brianne Warner commented on 28 Nov 2011
I second that point by Kyle. I liked the name Travel Gems for my startup, but the domain travelgems.com was taken (and sitting unused, sadly), so I tweaked it to become Travel Jems. Misspellings (K for C, etc.) and foreign phrases are another route to check out. Also, as a former headline writer, I'd recommend jotting down phrases and words and using word-association to branch from there, keeping in mind that any good combination probably has dozens of siblings that could maneuver around the domain issue. Good luck!
I second that point by Kyle. I liked the name Travel Gems for my startup, but the domain travelgems.com was taken (and sitting unused, sadly), so I tweaked it to become Travel Jems. Misspellings (K for C, etc.) and foreign phrases are another route to check out. Also, as a former headline writer, I'd recommend jotting down phrases and words and using word-association to branch from there, keeping in mind that any good combination probably has dozens of siblings that could maneuver around the domain issue. Good luck!
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Richard Layton advised on 10 Jan 2012
Cutting the Cost of Confusion® through business-driven branding & communications
Most companies focus on names that reference what they do; try brainstorming around what clients GET as a result of doing business with you. Should point you toward something with much more potential to differentiate from competitors.
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naming your business depends on your future goals. If you want to run the business locally then consider the local culture. And try to find the most often slang(s) used in your area with a similar meaning as that of your business.
Then seek feedback from your close circle (clients, customers, friends , relations, neighbors).
Put the selected name in the back-burner for 15 days. Concentrate on other tasks. Return back to name selected. Even after 15 days if the name sounds good for you /your close circle, then this may be a candidate name.
Then seek feedback from your close circle (clients, customers, friends , relations, neighbors).
Put the selected name in the back-burner for 15 days. Concentrate on other tasks. Return back to name selected. Even after 15 days if the name sounds good for you /your close circle, then this may be a candidate name.
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I agree with most of the other advice, but would add that if you truly get stuck, and you can't think of anything, you can always consider crowdsourcing. Sites like www.namingforce.com and www.squadhelp.com let you put up a nominal amount (e.g. $50) and have others compete to win the prize by coming up with company names. You give the contestants a brief description of your concept and any restrictions on the name/domain, and choose the best answer to win the $50.
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Richard Layton advised about 1 year ago
Most companies focus on names that reference what they do; t...
Most companies focus on names that reference what they do; t...
Also, your domain name doesn't have to exactly match your company name. If you have a name that really works but the domain name is taken, then go with the name you like and append a meaningful keyword to the tail end of your company name. It will still be memorable to your visitors. A simple example for discussion purposes: If your store is named Sugar Shop but Sugarshop.com is taken, then your domain name can be Sugarshopcandy.com