New Brand Name Suggestions: How to Choose a Meaningful Brand Name for Your Business

Launching a new brand can be an exciting yet daunting task. Choosing the right brand name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when establishing your company’s identity. The name you select will shape customers’ perceptions of your business for years to come.

When brainstorming brand names, you want to choose a name that is memorable, meaningful and conveys your brand values. Here are some tips for coming up with new brand name suggestions that will resonate with your target audience.

Focus on Memorability

Your brand name needs to be catchy and easy to remember. Think of major brands like Apple, Nike, and Coca-Cola – their names instantly come to mind because they are simple and catchy.

Some strategies for making your brand name more memorable:

Keep it Short and Sweet

Long or complex names are harder for customers to recall. Aim for 2-3 syllables or less.

Use Alliteration or Rhyme

Alliteration (repetition of sounds) and rhyme make names more sticky. E.g.: Etsy, Flickr, Twitter.

Create a Unique Sound

Invented or unique-sounding words are easier to remember than common words. E.g.: Google, Zappos, Hulu.

Ensure it Aligns with Your Brand Identity

Your brand name should reflect your company’s personality and positioning. Before deciding on a name, clearly define:

Your Mission and Values

What does your brand stand for? Let your name reflect your purpose.

Your Target Audience

Consider descriptors that resonate with your ideal customer.

Your Product Benefits

Communicate what makes you unique through your brand name.

Your Desired Brand Personality

Do you want a name that sounds elegant? Friendly? Luxurious? Your name should match your desired image.

Consider Linguistic Qualities

The linguistic style and structure of your name impact how easily customers can understand and engage with it.

Use Common Words

Names that incorporate common words or phrases are more intuitive. E.g.: Best Buy, Build-A-Bear, and Fatburger.

Ensure it’s Pronounceable

If people can’t pronounce your name, they won’t remember it. Avoid hard-to-pronounce words.

Make it Universally Understandable

A name that translates globally is best, especially if you plan to expand internationally.

Use Positive Connotations

Names with positive meanings come across as more appealing.

Check for Availability

Once you’ve narrowed down the options, confirm the name, URL, and social media handles are available. also, Google it to see if other brands are using it.

Get Feedback

Ask people in your target audience their impressions of the name. See if they find it catchy and aligned with your brand.

Brand Name Inspiration

Coming up with a brand name from scratch can seem challenging. Often the best names arise when you draw inspiration from relevant sources. Here are some approaches to spark creative ideas:

Describe Your Product or Service

Come up with a descriptive name that explains what you do. Examples:

• Home Depot
• PetSmart
• GameStop

Use Interesting Adjectives

Combine a descriptive adjective with a generic noun:

• CrazyClean
• HappyPets
• SmartStocks

Evoke Emotion

Select words that evoke the feelings you want to associate with your brand:

• Calm (for a meditation app)
• Wise (for a financial planning firm)
• Curiosity (for an education brand)

Draw From History or Mythology

Names with significance can be impactful.

• Atlas (powerful titan who held up the sky)
• Phoenix (mythical creature associated with rebirth)

Use the Founder’s Name

Including the founder’s name adds a personal touch.

• Johnson & Johnson
• Mary Kay
• Wendy’s

Derive From Existing Words

Modify common words or combine words to create a unique name:

• Wix (from widgets)
• Zocdoc (docs that zoc / zoom)
• Squarespace (website templates in squares)

Brand Name Evaluation

Once you’ve narrowed down some possible names, carefully evaluate each option using these criteria before making a final decision:

Memorability

• Is it catchy, short, and easy to remember?

Meaning

• Does it communicate your brand identity and evoke the right emotions?

Pronounceability

• Can people easily understand the pronunciation?

Distinctiveness

• Is it unique enough to stand out from competitors?

Versatility

• Does it work for your current products and future expansions?

Legal Availability

• Can you register the trademark and social media handles?

Visual Flexibility

• Does it allow for versatile logo design options?

Keeping these factors in mind will help you select a winning brand name that forms a strong foundation for your brand’s visual identity and messaging.

Launching and Marketing Your New Brand Name

You’ve put in the effort to develop a meaningful, memorable brand name – now it’s time to launch it successfully:

Secure domain and social handles

Snap up available website URLs, social media usernames, and other online properties using your brand name.

Officially trademark it

File a trademark application to protect your brand name and logo.

Introduce it to the public

Promote the new name on your site, social channels, and press releases.

Reinforce name recognition

Integrate your brand name prominently in all marketing materials, signage, packaging, etc.

Explain the meaning

Educate customers on what your name represents and why it was chosen. Share its origin story.

Consistent branding

Use the full brand name, properly capitalized and spelled, in all communications. Don’t abbreviate or alter it.

With a memorable and meaningful name that reflects your brand values, you’ll lay the groundwork for building awareness, affinity, and loyalty with customers.

Conclusion

Choosing a new brand name requires balancing memorability and meaningfulness, while also checking practical factors like trademark availability and web domains. Start by defining your brand identity and target audience, then brainstorm descriptive, evocative, or inventive names. Evaluate finalists on criteria like memorability, uniqueness, and visual flexibility before selecting a name. Introduce your new brand to the public through promotional channels and educate them on what it represents. A thoughtfully crafted brand name can shape perceptions, spur engagement, and form lasting connections with your customers.

FAQs

Q: How long should my brand name be?

A: Ideal brand name length is 2-3 syllables and 8-12 characters. Shorter names are more memorable. But don’t sacrifice meaning just for brevity.

Q: Should I do a trademark search before deciding on a name?

A: Yes, researching trademarks early on can help avoid conflicts down the road. Make sure no other brand has a similar name or logo in your industry.

Q: Can my brand name just be the product name?

A: You can, but a separate brand name allows more flexibility to expand your product line over time. Think Apple versus only naming the iPod.

Q: Should my brand name describe what my company does?

A: Descriptive names communicate your offering, but can lack uniqueness or personality. Weigh this benefit against other naming approaches.

Q: Can I change my brand name after launch?

A: You can, but it’s a major endeavor after establishing a brand identity. Only rebrand when the current name proves detrimental.