You have a great business idea and you are ready to get started, but there is one thing standing in your way: you need a business name!
Coming up with a business name that packs quite a punch can be a difficult task, but it is important to choose a name that will accurately reflect your brand and give customers a good idea of what your business is all about.
In this guide, we will give you some tips on how to come up with an insanely catchy business name that will make your business stand out from the rest.
Qualities of A Good Business Name
There are a few qualities that make for a good business name.
A good business name should be:
- Memorable: It should be something that is easy to remember and will stick in the customer’s mind
- Relevant: The name should be relevant to what your business does and what products or services you offer
- Short and Sweet: A good business name should be short and to the point, easy to say and spell
- Unique: The name should be unique and not already being used by another business
Tips for Coming Up with a Great Business Name
- Brainstorm a list of keywords that describe your business
- Use wordplay to create a memorable name
- Keep it simple and easy to pronounce
- Use acronyms
- Use foreign words
- Use your own name
- Use nicknames
- Tweak the spelling
- Use slang
- Make sure the name is available as a domain name
- Ask friends and family for their opinion
- Conduct a focus group to get feedback from potential customers
- Hire a professional naming company if you need help
1. Brainstorm a List of Keywords That Describe Your Business
The first step in coming up with a good business name is to brainstorm a list of keywords that describe your business.
Think about what your business does, what products or services you offer, and what makes your business unique.
Write down as many keywords as you can think of and then start playing around with them to see if you can come up with any creative combinations.
For example, if you are a florist, some of the keywords you might brainstorm are flowers, bouquets, arrangements, floral design, etc.
2. Use Wordplay to Create a Memorable Name
One way to create a memorable business name is to use wordplay to make it more interesting and fun to say.
You can use puns, alliteration, or rhyme to create a name that will be easy for people to remember.
Examples:
- Best Buy (alliteration)
- Indiana Bones (pun)
- Grubhub (rhyme)
Another option is to create a name that is a play on words or has multiple meanings.
This can make your business name more memorable and help customers understand what your business is all about.
3. Keep It Simple and Easy to Pronounce
A good business name should be short, sweet, and to the point.
It should be easy to say and spell so that customers can remember it and find your business when they are looking for you.
Some businesses choose to use acronyms for their names because they are short and easy to remember.
However, be careful with this approach as it can be difficult for customers to understand what your business does if they are not familiar with the acronym.
4. Use Foreign Words
Another option for creating a unique and memorable business name is to use foreign words.
This can be a good way to make your business stand out from the rest and give customers an idea of what your business is all about.
Just be sure to choose a word that is easy to pronounce and spell so that customers can still find and remember your business.
Examples:
- Nike (Greek)
- Fanta (Derived from the German word Fantasie)
- Nivea (Latin)
5. Use Your Own Name
If you can’t seem to find the perfect name for your business, another option is to use your own name.
This can be a good way to make your business more personal and give customers a sense of who they will be dealing with. You can also use a combination of both of your names.
However, be aware that using your own name can make it difficult for customers to find you online if you are not well-known or if the name is very common.
Examples:
- Adidas ( A combination of the founder’s names, Adolf (“Adi”) Dassler)
- Bloomberg (Founded by Michael Bloomberg)
- Armani (Founded by Giorgio Armani)
6. Use Nicknames
If you have a nickname that is unique or interesting, you could also use that as your business name.
This could be something that was given to you by family or friends, or even a nickname that you came up with yourself. The important thing is that it is catchy and easy to remember.
7. Use Slang
Slang terms can also make for great business names. This could be something like “The Dope Shop” for a clothing store or “The Grind” for a coffee shop. Just make sure that the meaning of the slang is clear and that it won’t be offensive to potential customers.
Examples:
- Omoka Digital (Omoka is slang for ‘to be rich’)
- Bizna Kenya (Bizna is slang for ‘Business’)
- Odibet (Odi is slang for ‘Ordinary)
8. Tweak the Spelling
You can also get creative with the spelling of words to make a more unique and interesting business name. For example, you could spell “cat” as “kat” or “pharmacy” as “farmsy”.
Just don’t overdo it and make the name unpronounceable.
Examples:
- Flickr (From Flicker)
- Telkom (From Telecommunications)
- Fresha (From Fresher)
9. Use Acronyms
Another option is to use an acronym for your business name. This could be something like “WOW!” for a pet store or “FOMO” for a clothing store.
Some good examples of companies that use this strategy include AOL (America Online), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and KTN (Kenya Television Network).
Other Examples:
- NTV (Nation TV)
- BMW (Bavarian Motor Works)
- KEMSA (Kenya Medical Supplies Agency)
10. Conduct a Focus Group
If you’re really struggling to come up with a catchy business name, you could always conduct a focus group. This is where you gather a group of potential customers and get their feedback on a variety of different business names.
This can be a great way to gauge which business name is the most catchy and easy to remember.
11. Ask Friends and Family
If you’re still stuck, you could always ask your friends and family for their opinion. They may have some great ideas that you hadn’t thought of before. You can do this by holding a brainstorming session or simply by asking for their opinion in passing.
12. Use a Business Name Generator
There are a number of different online tools that can help you come up with a great name for your business.
One such tool is the Business Name Generator, which allows you to enter keywords related to your business and then generates a list of potential names.
Another option is Panabee, which not only generates a list of potential names but also checks to see if the domain name is available.
13. Make Sure the Name Is Available as a Domain Name
Lastly, before you settle on a name, it is always a good idea to check and see if the domain name is available; especially if you plan to operate online.
You can do this by visiting a site like Bluehost or Namecheap and entering the business name you have in mind. If the domain name is available, you will be able to register it and use it for your business website and email address.
If the domain name is not available, you may need to come up with a different business name.
We recommend Bluehost if you need a cheap but reliable hosting service for your business. Check the availability of your name below.
The Bottom Line
Coming up with a catchy business name is not always easy. However, by following the tips above, you should be able to brainstorm some great ideas that will help make your business stand out from the competition.
When it comes to choosing a name, make sure it is something that is easy to remember and pronounce. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the name is available as a domain name so you can use it for your website and email address.
With a little bit of creativity, you should be able to come up with a great business name that will help attract customers and grow your business.