Tip: If your business is limited by geography, a country-specific URL is still a great option (.ca, .uk) \u2014 just make sure the content at the .com address doesn\u2019t conflict with your business. <\/div><\/span><\/p>\n
If the exact handle name is unavailable (a likely scenario), there are some easy fixes to try like adding a word or underscore. Again, check the content of handles that come up in your searches to see who else is using the name.<\/span><\/p>\n13. Make sure you LOVE it<\/h2>\n
It goes without saying that you have to love your new business name and feel confident about putting it out into the world.<\/span><\/p>\nThat’s why we recommend brainstorming plenty of ideas and taking the time to mull them over before settling on a winner — don\u2019t expect overnight success!<\/span><\/p>\nThe last thing to remember:<\/b> Companies rebrand all the time, but doing so costs time and money. Try your best to get the name right on the first attempt to ensure your business is off to a great start.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhat makes a good business name?<\/h2>\n
There are a few key elements to a really catchy business name.<\/p>\n
\n- Evokes a feeling:<\/strong> Pottery Barn<\/strong> conveys a curation of rustic furniture through its name alone. Try to create a feeling through the use of imaginative and highly visual words.<\/li>\n
- Sounds good:<\/strong> A good business name has a ring to it. Some names mix constants and vowels like Aritzia<\/strong> while others use rhythm to create a sense of flow like Flora and Fauna<\/strong>. Before finalizing your brand name, say it out loud and use it in conversation and listen to how it rolls off the tongue. Aim for under 5 syllables if you can!<\/li>\n
- Speaks to your audience:<\/strong> A strong company name will resonate with its market. If you own a tech company, you might want to play off of words in your industry. BitBucket, 1Password<\/strong>, and CodeCov<\/strong> are all great examples of this.<\/li>\n
- Memorable:<\/strong> In the world of infinite scrolling, you can have a memorable product or flashy ad, but it won\u2019t help your customer if they can\u2019t remember your brand name when they try to look you up later. What makes a business name memorable? It has rhythm or repetition, it\u2019s a little abstract or quirky, it’s not too long, and of course\u2014 it looks good in a logo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6 Types of business names to choose from<\/h2>\n
Somewhere in your brainstorming and researching, you’ll need to choose the type of business name you’re after. Selecting one of these top six is a great place to start.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
1. Acronyms & abbreviations<\/h3>\n
A popular choice for brands that want a short, crisp business name.\u00a0 Fun fact! IKEA<\/strong> is actually an acronym that combines the initials of the founder, Ingvar Kamprad, with the letters of the farm and village he grew up in, Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In 1963, CVS<\/strong> was founded as “Consumer Value Store” and was later abbreviated. When brainstorming, look for some obvious names and words either about you or your product\/service and see if they form any interesting acronyms.<\/p>\nExamples of acronym business names:<\/p>\n
\n- AT&T<\/strong>– American Telephone and Telegraph Company<\/li>\n
- BMW<\/strong>– Bavarian Motor Works<\/li>\n
- GEICO<\/strong>\u00a0– Government Employees Insurance Company<\/li>\n
- IBM<\/strong>\u00a0– International Business Machines<\/li>\n
- MAC<\/strong>\u00a0– Make-up Art Cosmetics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Real people’s names<\/h3>\n
What better way to honor the person doing all the work behind the scenes than naming your company after yourself!<\/p>\n
Using your name or a family name as your business name is a classic choice and certainly has longstanding power. Think of McDonald\u2019s<\/strong> or renowned design company Herman Miller<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Using your name as a business name is a great option for consultants and contractors. But it has its cons as well. Doing this insists that you are the face of your brand at least for the first few years while getting started. It might also limit how you expand your business down the road.<\/p>\n
Examples of businesses named after people:<\/p>\n
\n- Air Jordan<\/strong>– Michael Jordan<\/li>\n
- Addidas<\/strong>– Adi Dassler<\/li>\n
- CLIFF Ba<\/strong>r- Clifford Erickson<\/li>\n
- Dyson<\/strong>– James Dyson<\/li>\n
- Taco Bell<\/strong>– Glen Bell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Matter of fact<\/h3>\n
A company name that goes the obvious route of addressing the business’ purpose creates immediate clarity. With a name like Village Juicery, Whole Foods,<\/strong>\u00a0or Car2Go<\/strong>, it’s hard to miss what these companies offer to their consumers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This is a great option for entrepreneurs who aim for simplicity when naming their business. And while they’re not exactly the most exciting or eye-catching, their staying power is undeniable.<\/p>\n
Examples of business names that tell you about the business:<\/p>\n
\n- DoorDash<\/li>\n
- Dunkin Donuts<\/li>\n
- Pizza Hut<\/li>\n
- Entrepreneur<\/li>\n
- The Shoe Company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. Compounds<\/h3>\n
Create your own compound word by merging two words you love together! The company name Panera<\/strong> is actually a compound of the words “pan” (meaning bread) and “era” (meaning age or time). Put them together and you’ve got “age of bread”.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Examples of compound business names:<\/p>\n
\n- FroYo<\/li>\n
- Airbnb<\/li>\n
- Wework<\/li>\n
- Coinbase<\/li>\n
- Paypal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Made up word<\/h3>\n
Making up words is for big imaginations, but some of the biggest businesses out there are completely made-up words. Think Haagen-Dazs<\/strong> means something in Dutch? Think again. The American founders wanted to convey a worldly, artisanal feeling with their product.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Making up a word provides you the opportunity to create a fun and out-of-the-box business name that is both memorable and unique. Consider your audience when making up a word for your business name. You want it to sound like something they’d be intrigued by and opt to learn more about.<\/p>\n
Examples of unique company names using made up words:<\/p>\n
\n- Expedia<\/li>\n
- Verizon<\/li>\n
- Kodak<\/li>\n
- Skype<\/li>\n
- Etsy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6. Misspelled or missing vowels<\/h3>\n
While catchy looking and unconventional, misspelling or removing vowels from words to create a business name can come with its flaws. Removing vowels can make it harder to read and pronounce your business name.<\/p>\n
We dare you to try and pronounce BHLDN<\/strong>, a popular wedding attire brand (it’s “beholden” btw).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If you opt for this route, we suggest you work with a really simple, obvious business name like Lyft<\/strong>, or Flikr.<\/strong><\/p>\nExamples of catchy business names that are intentionally misspelled or missing a vowel:<\/p>\n