Nameify Startup Name Generator

If you’re serious about picking a company name, here are some concepts I use to start naming a brand. It can apply to any new initiative.

1️⃣ Keep multiple sites open to search and ideate including Google (of course), Thesaurus.com, Rhymezone.com, RelatedWords.io, USPTO, LinkedIn. Look at any industry-related sites related to your space. Collecting words, syllables, and metaphors that get to the heart of the brand and the target customer.

2️⃣ Now the fun part: Look for short and punchy sounds, musicality, and emotional resonance. Put the sounds in context. Say them out loud, use them in sentences. Look at the “shape” of the name. How does it appear in various font faces/types? Is it easy on the eyes? Does it look balanced or directional? Do the individual syllables carry some weight? Can it create a visual metaphor? If it’s a discrete product/service, does the name echo that world? And most importantly, can I remember it and what it associates? This should then yield 5-7 contenders. It’s a great time for outside feedback on these.

3️⃣ Rather than going to a domain name provider right away, type in the URL directly. Why? Because more than once in my life, I’ve used a GoDaddy or a WhoIs and didn’t buy it right away, and when I looked for it again, it was taken. I’m not suggesting that there’s someone on the backend reviewing all the queries and then buying new domain queries. I’m directly accusing them of doing so. So try to avoid them until you’re ready to buy. If the domain name lands on a “domain available” site, that’s a big, squatting red flag. If the domain goes to a legitimate site, it’s not a name worth chasing. And if it lands into nothingness, that’s truly available.

🏆 How do you determine which name wins? A multi-round, King-of-the-Hill tournament. Pick two at random. Which one do the decision makers like more? Explain. The winner takes on the next challenger. Repeat. The last one standing is most likely the strongest of that round. Now do it again until each contender has a chance to start a round (about 3 or 4 rounds). Whichever wins the most rounds is going to be the king of kings. Any tie and you pit the two against each other.

There can be only one.

If you’re rebranding or naming something, I’d love to hear about it!