How To Come Up With A Business Name

Starting a business requires passion, courage, energy, and dedication. You have decided on your business idea, you are working on your business plan, and you have your target audience. Now it is time to come up with a business name.

How To Come Up With A Business Name

There are a number of businesses with different business names operating around the world and in US. There’s a lot of pressure. But you shouldn’t worry about it. Because we are going to give you the following 8 tips on how to come up with a business name. 

1. Own name & story

First of all, it’s your business, so why not start it with your own name? Many famous brands use their founder’s name. Like, Baskin-Robbins, an American global ice cream parlor founded in 1954 by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins.  

Similarly, you can use nicknames as well. You can use them as a personal touch to your business. You can also use your child’s name for building a brand name. Just like Mercedes was named after the founder’s daughter.

Furthermore, you can blend different words and different ideas. Like, IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad did this by blending his name, and his hometown name, Elmtaryd Agunnaryd, forming IKEA.

Moreover, you can take a look at the map and find an appropriate name for your business. Like Amazon, an internet retail giant named after the largest river in the world. Similarly, Cisco was named after its founding location, San Francisco.

Additionally, you can tell your own story while naming your business. If there is an amazing and interesting story behind your business, you can summarize it in your business name. Like Virgin was named as the founders were totally new to the business.

2. Look at your offerings

For a while now, take a look at your offering, either a product or a service. See that if it reminds you of a shape, style, or anything else. Look for personal or offering attributes to include in your business name.

3. Look at other’s business names

Firstly, take a look at other business names in your industry. This strategy will help you in various ways.

It will let you know that what to name and what not to name to be unique in the industry. Additionally, it will give you new creative, innovative ideas and general themes of business names in the industry as well.

Secondly, you can take a look at business names in other industries. Don’t just sticks to your industry on a niche rather look for various business names in various niches. This will allow you to have exposure to different industries and their business names.  

4. Brainstorm

Brainstorming will open your mind to various business names as you will look for creative, innovative ideas and solutions. Start by thinking about your business, its positioning, and its target audience, and converting it into a brand.

Think about your target audience, and how they will/want to feel about the result of your offerings. Think as a customer of your own business, you will be able to find an appropriate name for your business.

For example, think of gym members, as they want to feel, strong, energetic, competitive, accomplished, progressive, and much more. So, they will like a similar name that matches their feel and sense.

For that purpose, you can ask and discuss with your family, friends, target audience, and other people around you. Additionally, you can use business name generator tools to find unique and attractive business names.

5. Take a look at mythology, literature, movies & legends

Mars is one the largest confectionary and food manufacturing company in the world. Mars in Greek mythology was known to be the roman god of war. Similarly, other companies like Nike, Oracle, Hermes, and Olympus have mythological names, too.

But it is recommended to conduct research before naming your business using mythology. Make sure to find a mythological figure name that’s relevant to your business.

If you have any favorite movie character that can somehow fit your business name, you can also use it. For example, Jarvis, artificial intelligence software, is one of the characters in Marvel movies.

6. Use business name generators

We are not fond of the idea of using a business name generator, but they can give you a starting point. They can give you a few good business name ideas according to your business.

Think that, how your customers will feel when they will come to know that you have used a business name generator.

You can use Shopify name generator, Naminum, Panabee, and many others to generate names for your business.

7. Use abbreviations, acronyms, mash-ups, spelling twisting

Great business names are usually short and not much longer. If you have found a business name as a word or phrase, and it has a strong meaningful back. You can start with it or use a part of it in your business name.

For example, as mentioned earlier Cisco was named after its founding location, San Francisco.

Using the initial words of your business name is a great and well-known approach to naming a business. Many companies use acronyms rather than using full names as they are easier to remember.

For example, as mentioned earlier. IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad did this by blending his name, and his hometown name, Elmtaryd Agunnaryd, forming IKEA. Similarly, CNN (Cable News Network), NASA (National Aeronautics & Space Administration), and many more.

Mashing up the name is one of the most creative ways to generate a business name. In this, you have to think about two to three words that are meaningful and align with your business.

For example, Ray Ban gets its name from the shades feature, which is banning rays from the Sun. Similarly, Netflix came from Internet & Flicks and many more are there.

Adding, removing a letter, or completely changing the whole word of to make your business name, is a well-known strategy. For example, Tumblr, Flickr, Lyft, Xero, and many more.

8. Use a dictionary

If you have gone through the whole list and haven’t decided on your business name yet. According to your category, choose a word, check in the dictionary for its synonyms and you will find great ideas.

The Bottom Line

Coming up with a business name is itself a whole process and it will take a lot of your time. But after choosing a business name, it is time for action now. Make sure it is available, unique, and attractive.

Once you have decided on your business name. Now you can promote your business, run marketing campaigns, display your business name on business cards and newsletters, and much more.

How To Come Up With A Business Name FAQ

1. How do I come up with a catchy business name?

8 tips on how to come up with a business name;

• Own name & story
• Look at your offerings
• Look at other’s business names
• Brainstorm
• Take a look at mythology, literature, movies & legends
• Use business name generators
• Use abbreviations, acronyms, mash-ups, spelling twisting
• Use a dictionary

2. How do you create a unique name?

A good business name should be;

• aligned with your brand,
• memorable,
• simple,
• clear
• unique
• catchy, and
• easy to pronounce