Did you know that BackRub was the first name for a company you and I know as Google? Imagine if they had stuck with it - you’d be telling people to “BackRub it” instead of “Google it” when asking them to search something on the internet. Sounds awkward, right? This shows how powerful the right brand name can be.
A brand name isn’t just a simple name; it can represent the story or message that a brand tries to convey to its potential customers. It makes perception, builds trust, and can even decide the fate of a business. Statistically, 77% of consumers say they make purchasing decisions based on brand names, not product names, and consistent branding can boost revenue by up to 23%. So, the brand name should be chosen carefully after giving it enough thought.
In this blog post, I’ll explore how to choose a brand name that is not only appealing but also memorable and relevant to what your brand offers.
Determine Your Brand Identity
Before you think of the potential names for your brand. You should have a clear picture of your brand. Ask yourself a few questions:
- What are the core values and goals that drive our business?
- What message do you want to get across?
- Who are your target audiences?
Answering these questions can make it easier for you to skip names that collide with your business ideology and vision.
For example, if your business specializes in producing eco-friendly clothing, your brand identity may revolve around minimalism, sustainability, and ethical practices. When you have this in mind, you will be more likely to opt for a name that reflects being eco-friendly, such as “GreenWear” or “EarthStitch,” instead of going with generic names like “FashionFit.”
Try to Keep it Simple and Easy to Remember
A winning brand name is one that is easy to pronounce and that people can easily recall. It has been observed that people have a hard time remembering hard-to-pronounce names.
For example, Nike is simple, short, and snappy. People can easily pronounce and recall it. Imagine if they had picked something like “Modern International Footwear”; no one would remember it after hearing it for the first time.
So, how to come up with such simple and short names? Well, it’s easy. Just try a simple “bar test,” which tests if someone hears the name in a noisy setting, will they be able to spell it and recall it later? If the answer is “Yes,” you’re good to go with it.
Make it Relevant to What You Offer
This is important! Whatever brand names you shortlist, make sure they give a hint about your offering. You don’t need to be very descriptive; all you need is to give a little clue and people will connect the dots quickly.
Let’s take PayPal as an example. Anyone, even a 5th grader, can easily tell what it’s all about because it has the word “Pay” in it. Now compare this name with “Loom,” which doesn’t give a clear picture of what it’s all about. No one can guess what it offers.
So, your brand name should be relevant to your offerings. It will go a long way toward helping people instantly recognize what you do. They will be more likely to remember your business when they need it.
Use Tools to Come Up With Unique Name Ideas
The problem with us humans is that we can’t continuously think creatively. We get exhausted easily. This is when switching to tools can prove useful. Their creativity remains the same all the time. You can get assistance at any time.
One such option that can spark unique ideas is acronym generator, which takes a set of words or a phrase and turns them into appealing acronyms. A popular example is BMW, which is the short form of Bayerische Motoren Werke that translates as “Bavarian Motor Works.” The full form name is complex and hard to remember, while the acronym is stylish, short, and easy to recall.
Similarly, you can find other tools that suggest unique synonyms or combine words together to help you refine your options. Getting assistance from these tools can point you in directions that you may not have considered yet. Take them as a creative partner to think of something new that reflects your brand.
Check Its Availability
Coming up with an appealing brand name isn’t enough. You need to make sure no one else is already using it. So, this is why it’s important to check its availability beforehand. You can look at domain names and trademarks to ensure your selected name is free to use.
For example, if you decide on “MaddyBite” for your food startup, but the domain name maddybite.com is already in use or taken, you may face legal issues or struggle to build an online presence with the same domain name. So, securing availability not only prevents confusion with competitors but also gives your brand a consistent identity across all channels.
Test It With Real People
Don’t hesitate to ask others for their feedback. They could be your colleagues, workers, customers, or common people you interact with in the streets. Ask them the following questions:
- How does the name make you feel?
- What type of business do you think it represents?
- Is it something positive or negative in nature?
- Can you easily recall it?
- Will it come to your mind when you’re in need of similar services in the future?
Note down how they respond. If the majority of the people find your name hard to pronounce or irrelevant to what you do, it’s a red flag. You should either consider another name or keep refining it further until the majority reacts positively.
Wrapping it Up
You need to think out of the box to come up with a winning brand name. Remember that the best names are easy to recall, short, and memorable. Moreover, they reflect your brand vision. I have discussed how one can pick an appealing brand name. It involves defining your brand identity, keeping it simple, making it relevant to your offerings, and using tools to spark unique ideas. You also need to test the name with real people to ensure it not only works for you but also for everyone.
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