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Congratulations on making the big move to start your business! You have made it through the grueling process of coming up with a great business idea and then going through the ropes of making that idea a reality which, as any entrepreneur will tell you, can be one of the most trying experiences of your life. Now comes the fun part—naming your business. It is time to put on your creative hat and let your imagination fly. Coming up with a creative business name is sort of like naming your baby. Your process can take any direction. You can go over dictionaries in different languages, consult family and friends, combine your and your partner’s names, and even look to your newborn for inspiration.
It is also as serious a process as naming your baby because once you name your business, that name is for life (of your business). Changing your business name is possible, but not ideal, as it will involve a re-branding process of epic proportions and unjustifiable expenses.
What’s in a (business) name?
No matter how far you go in your pursuit of coming up with a creative business name, there are certain boxes you may want to check:
- Your business name must pique the interest of your target audience.
- Your target audience must understand your business name.
- Your business name must reflect your business’ purpose and values.
Having said that, there are numerous tactics you can use to come up with a business name that helps you stand out, attract customers, and achieve all your branding goals.
5 Ways to lock in a creative business idea
- Use a combination of words to create your business name.
Combining a couple of words has become the creative branding tactic of choice of prominent social media companies such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. It works because it can create meaningful names that are also short and unique. To come up with a creative business name start by brainstorming the words you would associate with your business. Think about what your company does and what emotions it inspires. Once you have your list, try different permutations and combinations of words to see if you can come up with something that sticks.
2. Use your name as your business name.
This may sound old-fashioned, but since it is no longer a common practice, using your name as your business name can help you stand out, especially if your name is unique. There are several advantages to creating a business name inspired by your name. Firstly, it helps you build your business brand and your brand at the same time. Secondly, by giving your business a human name, you allow people to perceive it as a human, making them warm up more easily to you.
You can also use the name of a loved one or a family or friend who has inspired you (with their permission, of course). This can also give your business name a personal story, a talking point to help people build a stronger connection with your brand.
3. Make your domain name your business name.
Your domain name is as good as your business name in the online world. It is how people find you on the internet. It is how people remember you, and it is what people type most often to learn more about you or shop with you. Like your brand name, your domain name also needs to be unique and memorable. So, let it double up as your business name too. Imagine the number of times people will see and recall your business name if it was your domain name. Imagine the levels of consistency your branding will achieve online and offline with all your brand properties, from your URL to your social media handles to your business cards, showing the same words.
Moreover, new and relevant domain extensions can help you even further in coming up with a genuinely creative business name (and a domain name). Not only will they stand out in an internet namespace overcrowded by traditional domain extensions, but they can help you claim what you do in just 2 or 3 words. Imagine having a business name like rarefinds.store or findlove.online or wearable.tech. Finding exact-match domain names is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. But by putting in an extra bit of research and brainstorming, you can claim not only your exact-match domain name but also a creative business name. Businesses are already doing it, from influencers (dudeperfect.store) to communities and professional networks (weshape.tech) to local small businesses (thebakingroom.online).
4. Create your own word for a business name
Want to get truly creative? Create a business name from scratch. Writers like Shakespeare always did it with their words, even becoming part of the English language. In that regard, specific brand names can be compared to modern-day Shakespeare-style authorisms, going from brand to generic, such as Bisleri, Xerox, and Google.
Creating a new word to use as your business name has several advantages. For starters, it will be unique and pique people’s interest like no other already-existing word could. Secondly, you will almost certainly be able to claim a domain name of your choice. You can even combine it with a relevant domain extension, so people still understand what it is that your business does.
To create a new word for your business name, follow the practice of writing down several words you would associate with your business and then trying different combinations until you find one that clicks.
5. Use a business name generator to come up with a creative business name.
Tired of brainstorming? Let the internet do it for you. You can use several free and paid online business name generators to come up with a creative business name. All you need to do is punch in a few keywords. These should be relevant to your business or industry. Specific name generators will also ask you to select a few filters to narrow down your options. Based on this information, the generator will yield several potential business names you can choose from. While these names may not be the super creative business name you seek for your venture, they will, at the very least, give you some good ideas.
What NOT to do when locking in your business name
Now that we’ve covered tips and ideas on how you can come up with a creative business name, let us look at certain things you must steer clear of:
- Don’t pick a complicated business name.
Short and simple is the way to go. Long business names with complicated spellings are hardly memorable, prone to mistakes, and may also look bad on your brand properties, such as your logo and business cards.
- Don’t pick a business name that is similar to other business names.
If another business is already using your name of choice, it is time to take a different route. Don’t cut corners by using various iterations of the same name. You may still get sued or confused for another business. People will also be quick to call your bluff, and you risk hampering your business reputation.
- Don’t pick a business name that is silly or offensive.
Before you seal the deal, research what your name means in different languages and cultural contexts. Universal appeal is essential in today’s day and age. While picking a name in a particular language is okay, especially if you are a local business, you must ensure that it doesn’t have an undesirable meaning in another language. You don’t want a name that is offensive or means something silly, something that makes people angry or not take you seriously.
Conclusion
Take your time when you are coming up with your business name. Do all the research you need regarding legalities and cultural meanings, as well as what your customers will gravitate towards and what will inspire your employees. However, once you have locked in on your business name, don’t waste time in really locking it in. Get it registered and legally protected, and acquire your domain name as soon as possible before it gets snapped up by a competitor.