10 Steps on How to Come Up With a Business Name

Why be serious when you can be punny? Puns are like the dad jokes of the business world—cheesy, but oh-so-memorable. Think about your business niche and start brainstorming puns related to it. If you’re opening a bakery, how about “Flour Power” or “Rolling in the Dough”? Embrace the pun-demonium, and you might just stumble upon your golden ticket!

Mixing words to create a catchy blend can lead to surprisingly fun results. Remember Brangelina? Apply the same logic to your business name. Blend relevant words together like a linguistic smoothie. If you’re starting a tech company specializing in security, why not go for something like “TechSavvy” or “ByteBuddy”? The possibilities are as endless as your creativity!

Imagine your business as a character in a wacky sitcom. What would its catchphrase be? Channel your inner Shakespeare and play with words. Combine adjectives, nouns and verbs in unexpected ways. Dust off that old dictionary or your favorite book—unique words are waiting to be discovered. Draw from myths, culture or even your grandma’s legendary stories. For a pet grooming service, consider names like “Fur-tastic Fidos” or “Paw-sitively Purrfect.” Your imagination is the limit, so let it run wild like a caffeinated cheetah!

Rhyming isn’t just for poets and rappers; it’s for business names too! Rhymes have a musical quality that makes them catchy and easy to remember. If you’re launching a tutoring service, something like “Learn & Earn” or “Smarty Party” could be both fun and memorable. Rhyme your way to the top, one catchy syllable at a time!

If you offer a specific service, consider including it in your name—it’s like a sneak peek for your customers. Just remember, simplicity is key. Don’t overload your name with details—let it breathe and be memorable.

Don’t paint yourself into a corner. Think big! Consider your company’s story, values and what sets you apart. Write it all down and let it guide your brainstorming. Your business name should grow with you, not hold you back.

When in doubt, consult the almighty Google! Type in keywords related to your business and explore the synonyms, rhymes and translations. You might stumble upon a word or phrase that perfectly captures your business essence. Just be careful not to fall into the rabbit hole of endless possibilities—Google can be a bit too helpful at times!

When embarking on the exciting journey of naming your business, considering domain availability is akin to securing a prime piece of real estate in the bustling digital marketplace. In today’s interconnected world, your online presence is your storefront, and the right domain name is the neon sign that beckons potential customers.

Picture this: you’ve brainstormed the perfect business name, it encapsulates your brand essence, and it’s catchy, too. But, before you pop the champagne, a quick online search reveals that the corresponding domain is already claimed. That’s where the plot thickens! Ensuring your business name aligns with an available domain is important. It not only defines your virtual identity but also simplifies your customers’ journey to find you on the internet.

So, as you weave the narrative of your business name, don’t forget to check the domain availability—it’s the digital handshake that welcomes your audience to the heart of your enterprise. (Tip: I would also check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website to make sure your name idea isn’t already registered.)

If you’ve hit a roadblock, then fear not, for the digital universe has a solution—online business name generators! These nifty tools are like magical cauldrons of creativity, where you toss in your ideas, and they stir up a plethora of potential names.

Renderforest has a really cool AI generator that actually displays name ideas in a logo (and it’s free). Check out the examples below that were generated after I typed in the word "pet". It not only widens your scope of possibilities but also introduces you to unexpected gems that might have slipped through the cracks of your brainstorming sessions. With just a few clicks, these generators can transform mundane words into catchy, memorable business names. Give these generators a spin, and who knows, you might just discover the perfect name that truly resonates with your brand!

So, you’ve brainstormed, giggled and maybe facepalmed a few times—now it’s time to put your top contenders to the test. Share your potential business names with friends, family or even strangers (thanks, internet!) and see their reactions. Your friends and family are your best critics. If confusion clouds their faces when they hear your name, it might need a tweak. Also, the global stage is yours—ensure your name doesn’t turn into an unintentional punchline in another language.

So, go forth, intrepid entrepreneurs! Unleash your inner word wizard, embrace the puns, blend those words, rhyme like there’s no tomorrow, consult the digital oracle and test your creations. With a bit of work and a whole lot of creativity, you’ll craft a business name that’s not just catchy but also uniquely yours. Happy naming, and may the puns be ever in your favor!