Brainstorming a Business Name: 3 Solid Strategies

Here are three strategies you can use when brainstorming a name for your business:

Combine two words.

Think ZipCar or Pizza Hut. This works well when paired with places or things.

Create a new word or unfamiliar word, often called an abstraction.

Think Google, Roku, or Keurig – even Skittles.

Be careful selecting your combination of letters or unique word. The tone of voice you use with each letter can quickly take a cool written word into a weird sounding word with a negative tone.

Look internationally.

I love looking at words in other languages for inspiration. This could be nouns, verbs, or words that don’t even exist in American English. Examples are Hulu and Amazon.

BONUS:

Type your names into a Google doc. You’ll see that some names look strange typed out. But, it also is a great source of additional brainstorming.


Content contributed by Vermont-based marketing agency owner and brand creator, Michael Adams.

Want to put even more structure to your new brand? Sign up for SuperBrand, my weekly newsletter.