Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Starting a business

How to decide on a name for your business

Amanda Hoyer
By

Did you know 72% of the most recognizable brand names use made-up words and acronyms? There are plenty of methods for standing out, and maybe you don’t want to get that creative in choosing a name for your business. Whatever you choose can communicate authority, practicality, a sense of fun, and more.

Your business name is the first thing customers see online, on business cards, and on social media. It’s attached to every product you make and sell, too. And, it’s what other business owners will hear when they think of partnering with you.

Related Videos

It may feel like there’s a lot of pressure in settling on a brand name, but that’s not the case. If you’re completely stuck thinking, “How should I know how to choose a name for my business?” You’re in the right place. You’ll find top tips to guide your business naming process with this guide.

Related

How to choose a business name

You can take some pretty basic steps to check if a name’s right for your business. It doesn’t have to happen overnight. Of course, maybe your new startup name will come to a dream (then you can quite literally call yourself a visionary).

More than likely, you already have a few clues as to what “feels right.” Before settling on a name, there are a few important things to consider. Or, if you’re completely lost picking a brand name, there’s even more you can do.

Sound it out

If you’ve already got a business name picked out, say it out loud. Pretend to call clients. Mention it to your potential business partners or personal network.

Try it (and other possible variations of it) out loud. If you tire of saying your new business name even before you open shop, it’s time to pick another name. If you find yourself getting more and more excited over it, stick with the name.

Must have meaning

Does your potential brand name mean anything? Or did you pick a generic, nonspecific name to play it safe? If you’re concerned about communicating impracticality, you can still pick a brand name without sounding absolutely blah.

Your business name may not mean anything overtly to consumers, but it has to mean something to you as the owner and founder. Avoid picking something so sentimental your customers won’t “get it.” You can be practical and sentimental if you take the time to plan it out.

Getting too clever

Perhaps you’re on the creative side, and you picked a clever business name that mashes up your services and personal name. And maybe you’re lucky, and it’s clear to you (and, more importantly, consumers) just what your business offers. More often than not, getting too clever confuses consumers.

If you’re in tech and get too clever, you might use odd spellings, code language, etc. that confuses industry outsiders. Creative word mashups might entertain copywriters and confuse clients. Balance your creativity with practicality, too.

Check searchability

Have you Googled yourself yet? If not, a quick Google search can tell you about any prominent competitors. It can also tell you if you need to rebrand already. The last thing you want is future consumers confusing your business with another.

You may also find potential problems with popular associations too. If your potential business name generates other results, you need to stake your claim first.

Claim it first

Whether it’s a domain name, social media handles, or business listing in virtual directories, stake your claim. If you know your business name isn’t trademarked or claimed by any company in operation, claim your name. Buy domains if they’re not already owned.

As for social media accounts, if you own a trademark, consumers can’t use the account name once you’re verified with a platform. It helps if you have a domain claimed first, though.

Check legal details

There are two major details when it comes to legal details for choosing a business name. You’re likely planning to incorporate or explore LLC options. If so, you need to check with your Secretary of State first. If other business names are too similar, you may not get approved for incorporation.

You can also conduct a trademark search to make sure your business name isn’t already taken. Doing legal research ahead of time simplifies domain name purchases and future issues surrounding rights and naming.

The real name of the game

At this point, you shouldn’t be wondering how to name your business. It’s time to start brainstorming and build the beginning of a strong brand. If you don’t know what to do next, there’s plenty more to consider. You may need to build your brand more or draft a business plan.

Hopefully, following these tips helped you consider consumer perception. Thinking about your target audience can help with branding details like logo design or rounding out a thin business plan. Take those next steps, name your business, and stand out as a true blue business owner in the professional world.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tranquil items to start your local organic shop
the best round dining table aop tables

You are a person who enjoys a cup of tea and promoting local supplies, items, and food. You want to be the store that sells the necessities that people are looking for as gifts for their loved ones or a portion of organic food. You love the natural ways of healing and taking care of the body. You want to promote local artists and sell items from local people in your shop. You want to start your business with fresh organic products and help your hometown succeed. You want to promote local business in many forms like food markets, art, homemade items, and recycling items that people need.

You are starting your new business as a new business owner in your local town. You want to promote organic and local promotions of drinks, homemade goods, and food in your store. You want to give your local community the chance to sell their homemade items and artwork in your store. You learn that an organic lifestyle is healthy for your mind and body. You want a business that promotes tranquility and peace of mind. There are natural ways to improve your mind and destress yourself without the need for medication. Your store can be the perfect gift for someone who is looking for a healthier living style.

Read more
Start your local cheese shop with these supplies
restaurant health code violations chef slicing delicious bbq meat at street market on table

You enjoy making your cheese, and you want to make a career out of it. You believe that everyone should be able to try your homemade cheese recipes. You want to sell your cheese locally in your beautiful hometown. You want to start with the simple tasks on what you need to start your career on the right path. You wondered what sort of items you need to start your business from scratch. You already purchased the building, but now you need the supplies to get you started. When it comes to your business you want to start with ideas.

In every local food business, owners had to start from scratch. Sometimes there are struggles when it comes to starting your own business. When it comes to the food business, it can be hard on how to start your business or when to start your business. You want your business to flourish, and you need some guidance on starting your business. When it comes to local business it starts with a lot of ideas and ways to figure out how to accomplish those ideas. You want your creative hobby with cheese to start well without any mistakes along the way.

Read more
Items that you need for your electronic devices during work

We live in a modern society that relies on technology even more than ever before. We use cell phones, iPads, laptops, smartwatches, and computers. We are living in a virtual time that careers and schools are going remote and virtual. We use electronic devices to stay active, healthy, keep in touch, and go to important meetings. It is becoming an essential part of our daily lives for our careers and education. Children no longer have snow days and can have classes online. People no longer have to relocate themselves for a career instead they can work remotely from where they live.

Our electronic devices are what we use every day. People use electronic devices for work, school, time, and staying active. People can keep in touch with someone from the other side of the world. They rely on electronic devices so much that they cannot afford to lose them or for their devices to die. Electronic devices are how we submit projects, assignments, blogs, ideas, or job applications. They no longer have to go to an interview physically, but they can interview for their job in the comfort of your home. That is why we need electronic devices for our daily lives and careers.

Read more