Your business name says a lot about your business and all it represents. It could instantly make potential customers fall in love with your business or not. Yeah, it's that important and even more important to get it right. Here's an easy guide on how to come up with a business name that correctly defines you and your business. So, let's get started!
20 Different Ways to Come up with a Business Name
As key as it is to get the right business name, it's not always easy to hit the right one that conveys the desired information. It can be a bit tasking, but not to worry. Here are twenty different ways to come up with a business name that best suits you and your business.
Using Websites That Have Business Name Generator Tool
Some websites can quickly help you with your ideal business names. Discussed below are two of these websites.
1. Shopify.com
With the, your business name worries are gone! All you need do is input a keyword, and it automatically generates unique business name ideas around your chosen word! The best part is, you get to save your business name on the site, and it's all for free! Pretty cool, right?!
Some cool business names generated by Shopify business name generator includes Bamboo Empire, Paradise Collections, and Luxury Jewels.
2. Oberlo.com
This is another creative business name generator website to help you with your ideal business name. Just like Shopify, you insert a keyword, and it comes up with thousands of business name ideas that you can pick from. It’s also free to use. Examples of business names generated by Oberlo.com are Cake Concepts, Hair Nation, and Planet Beddings.
Generating Business Name Through Traditional Ways
3. Start with your name
Most business names have a hint of the owner's name, so you can as well use yours. It could just be an abbreviation of your name and a logo that gives potential clients an idea as to what your business is about. For example, if your name is Theresa, and you're into baking, you can try something like Tessa's Treats.
4. Acronyms are cute
So you have a story to tell with your business name, and you fear it's too long and doesn't quite fit, that's alright. You can just use acronyms. Perhaps the first and second letters of each word to form a name that's unique and easy to remember. Take, for instance, "DFD," which stands for Derry Felco Designs.
5. What does the map have to say?
You could also use a historical location to depict your business. Maybe you're from Michigan in the United States and are into beads; you could pick your town name to describe the origin of your creations and collections. Something like "Michigan Beads Hub."
6. A bit of literature and mythology
Is there a mythological figure or literary legend that defines your business? Does the name speak the purpose of your online business? Then you could consider picking such a name to define your brand.
7. Mash-ups are exciting!
What are the keywords that describe your business? Look for a way to merge them wholly or in bits to create a name. For example, LooksbyTee or JensVents, that is Jenny's Events.
8. Descriptions
Get all the words that represent your business and what it's all about. Then try to combine the words or even the letters of the words to coin a unique name.
9. Roll out your nicknames
So you've been known for something and addressed as such, can it be used to create a name? How about your longtime nickname? Let's say your nickname is Trisha; you could choose a name like Trisha's Arts.
10. Check out the foreign space
A bit of foreign word in your business name can spice it up. By foreign, I mean a language not native to the country where your business is located. There are some cool French and Italian names you could look at.
11. Let's mix things a bit
You can also try a blend of numbers or significant words that relate to your business and mix them up to create a name.
12. Lovely Latin!
Latin words can provide beautiful business names that do not deviate from your business theme. So you don't speak or understand Latin, that's fine. Think of a word that describes your business and check out the Latin word for it. An example is Sui generis, which is the Latin phrase for "unique."
13. What's your story?
What's the unique story behind your business? Does it tell of survival, consistency, or creativity? You can use these words to get a name, for example, Apartment For Sale.
14. Try another angle
Take a closer look at your business; what does it portray? Maybe you're a hairstylist who wants to focus on African natural hair. You could try something like Kinky Queens or Fab Kinky.
15. Abbreviations are cool, too
Perhaps you already have a name in mind, but you fear it's too long, why not abbreviate it? Is there a long-phrase which fits a suitable name? You can always shorten it to something short and simple.
16. Tell us your beliefs
What are the core values of your business? It's great to have a name that speaks your beliefs. A gentle reminder of why you're in the business and what you always want to be known for.
17. What do the symbols tell you?
What's a unique symbol in your line of business? Is there an essential mark in your product or service that is a great pointer, then maybe you could pick a name from it.
18. Get partners
Perhaps you have a partnership with another company, or you're trying to merge two or more companies. You could pick out the names of the individual companies (in parts or whole) and join to form a new name.
19. Play around with the spellings
So there's a popular word you'd like to describe your business, try changing the spelling a bit to get a new name. However, try to retain the original pronunciation of the word to remind people of your message.
20. What does the dictionary have to say?
So you've tried these ways and still don't get something that fits, not to worry. You can look up words and synonyms that are key to your business, on the dictionary.
How to Choose a Business Name?
So you've seen a couple of words or names that appeal to you and don't know which to choose. Relax, just remember that a business name is the first step to defining your business, so it's important to choose something you want to be known for.
Remember that your business name forms the basis for everyone's first impression of your business and brand, so keep it short, simple, and interesting for easy retention.
How to Avoid Trademark Infringement?
You need to be extra careful not to pick a name already owned by another business or a competitor, to avoid being accused of trademark infringement.
The penalty for such an offense is that the offender has to change his/her business name or could even be asked to pay for damages.
So how then do you come up with an exclusive business name?
The only way to be sure that your business name is not already taken is to do extensive research to check that no one else has that name.
You can do that by checking the proposed name on Google to see if something similar comes up.
You could also check with the body in charge of business registration in your Country or State or maybe a quick search on their site. Alternatively, you can search for a domain name on Godaddy.com or GoogleDomains.com.
After an extensive business name search proves the availability of your proposed business name, waste no time in staking your claims and registering it before it's snatched up.
In conclusion, the need to have the perfect business name cannot be overemphasized. So take your time to go through and remember to keep your name short and simple. Don't forget to confirm that it's not already taken as well. Then go ahead and register that business!