Business Name Ideas and Branding Advice

Looking for a great name for your business? If you are, you have come to the right place.

In today’s guide we’ll explore 47 name ideas as well as share expert insights from our VP of Marketing, Elana Ostrega.

Additionally, we’ll also examine the biggest companies in the world for inspiration and examine the science of phonetics.

Let’s hop in.

Naming Your Business: Advice From Our VP of Marketing

Naming your business is perhaps the first and most important step in any entrepreneurial journey. 

In order to share the best advice possible, we asked our VP of Marketing, Elana Ostrega to share tips on naming your business.

Elana has over 15 years of marketing experience and has had a lot of experience naming and re-branding businesses. With that said, here’s her advice for new businesses:

• A business name often starts with an authentic connection to something. This could be a nickname, a family name or an inside joke. A personal connection regarding your business name ensures that you will always feel connected to it and can really easily build a brand around the values and meaning it has for you
• When in doubt use alliteration. Two words starting with the same letter often produce really nice and catchy business names. Ie Kandy Kraze, Cowboy Cars, Gilded Gadgets, Major Muscles etc
• Don’t make your business name too long and always consider how it sounds rolling off the tongue - can someone easily pronounce this name?
• Sometimes the most obtuse words can be extremely catchy and turn into something special however if the name does not convey exactly what your business offers, consider that this means your business may be harder to market overall. A simple business name that conveys the offering or service is always preferable, especially for SMBs
• Test your name on various marketing items, create a domain along side it to ensure the name will be memorable
• Check your name along side other businesses in a database of registered trademarks, domains and social media handles before starting to market or build anything you will have to reverse the decision.
• get feedback —> Ask friends and family how they feel about the name. Often, the best names come from a little shared brainstorm and the feedback is important to ensure you don’t get too far down the road with a name that you will end up changing

A perfect example of a business following this amazing advice would be Coca-cola:

Coca-Cola utilizes alliteration and a historical connection to its original ingredients, making its name catchy and memorable. 

Its simplicity aids in global pronunciation and branding, effectively embedding the soft drink in consumers' minds worldwide.

When naming your business, keep these tips in mind and be like Coca-cola.

15 Business Name Ideas Based on Advice From Our VP of Marketing

Taking the amazing advice from Elana, here are 15 business names based on real world experience and expertise:

1. Baker's Bliss
2. Gadget Grove
3. Crafter's Corner
4. Dapper Dogs
5. Jolly Jars
6. Mellow Moods
7. Vivid Vistas
8. Harmony Homes
9. Lively Leaves
10. Pixel Pioneers
11. Savor Street
12. Tranquil Trails
13. Wanderlust Wares
14. Zesty Zen
15. Quirky Quills

What We Can Learn From North America’s Biggest Companies

Now, let's examine the top 10 biggest companies in North America to draw inspiration from.

This exploration will delve into the naming strategies, creativity, and market positioning of successful brands. 

We'll uncover key insights that have empowered these brands to stand out and resonate globally, providing valuable lessons for new businesses in search of a compelling name. 

Here are the top 10 biggest businesses in North America along with valuable naming insights:

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_companies_in_the_United_States_by_revenue

When naming your business, consider these insights derived from top companies:

Simplicity and Recognizability: Aim for a name that’s straightforward and easy to remember, much like Walmart, which has become nearly synonymous with its industry.

Conveying Scale and Vision: Choose a name that reflects the scope and future of your business, as Amazon does, suggesting a vast marketplace and technological prowess.

Established Confidence: A name with a traditional and strong presence, like ExxonMobil, can instill a sense of reliability and authority in your field.

Memorable and Unique: Opt for a name that is distinctive and leaves a lasting impression, such as Apple, which is unrelated to its industry yet is unforgettable and has become emblematic of innovation.

Reflecting Core Values and Services: Your name should echo the core services or values of your company, similar to UnitedHealth Group, which communicates comprehensive health coverage and trust.

17 Business Branding Name Ideas Inspired by North America’s Biggest Companies

Based on our leaning from the biggest companies in North America, here are 17 business name ideas to consider based on branding:

1. SwiftTech
2. BrightBean
3. ZenithMart
4. EchoInnovate
5. TrustWell Health
6. EverExpand
7. NovaNest
8. OptimaEnergy
9. ZenBridge
10. PinnacleParts
11. InfinityWare
12. SummitSystems
13. PureHorizon
14. ClearPath Wellness
15. PrimePeak
16. BoldBase
17. TerraTrend

Naming Your Business and Phonetics: What The Science Says

In the realm of business, a company's name carries weight that extends far beyond mere creativity—it's a nuanced interplay between psychology and linguistics.

The research "Phonetic Symbolism and Brand Name Preference" by Tina M. Lowrey and L. J. Shrum provides insights that, although not exclusive to any industry, are particularly relevant to business branding across the board.

The focus on phonetics—the sounds in human speech—plays a pivotal role in shaping consumer perception. This is critical for businesses where a name is often the first touchpoint with customers.

Lowrey and Shrum highlight how phonetic elements can suggest various attributes. For instance, certain vowel sounds and stronger consonants may reflect durability and dependability, desirable traits for a business offering robust solutions.

On the other hand, softer consonants and particular vowel sounds may create a feeling of ingenuity and accessibility, aligning with businesses that prioritize customer service and innovation.

A strategic phonetic choice can influence the initial perception that customers have of a business, impacting their engagement from the get-go.

Recognizing the power of phonetic symbolism can be a game-changer in branding. A business name should encapsulate the offerings, emotional resonance, and character the company seeks to convey.

For instance, a firm priding itself on swift and effective service might choose a name with crisp consonants and short vowels, denoting rapidity and efficiency.

The research also emphasizes the distinctiveness that comes with less common letters, such as 'X' or 'Z.' This can elevate a business's profile in a crowded marketplace, enhancing recall and online discoverability.

Based on this study of phonetics, keep these things in mind while naming your business:

1. Sounds Matter: Use hard sounds for strength and reliability, and soft sounds for friendliness and innovation.
2. Emotion Counts: The way your name sounds can make people feel certain ways about your business.
3. Be Unique: Starting your name with uncommon letters can help you stand out.

15 Business Name Ideas Based on Phonetics

Based on our learning related to phonetics, here’s 15 business name ideas to consider based on good branding:

1. QuickPulse
2. BoldBridge
3. ZephyrZoom
4. FlashFleet
5. XenoVista
6. ZingByte
7. SparkStride
8. RapidRidge
9. NexaNovel
10. ThriveThread
11. CleverClasp
12. BlazeBurst
13. PinnaclePulse
14. SwiftSurge
15. KinetiCore

Naming Your Business and Brand Tips: Key Takeaways

The Bedrock of Identity: Naming your business is a crucial first step, setting the tone for your brand's identity and how it will be perceived in the marketplace.

Expertise and Experience: Insights from Elana Ostrega, our VP of Marketing, with over 15 years in the field, guide the approach to selecting a resonant and impactful name.

Authentic Connection: Choose a name with a personal tie, ensuring it feels meaningful and supports the values you wish to build your brand around.

Sound Strategy: Employ alliteration and phonetics to create a catchy and memorable name that can easily be pronounced and remembered.

Conciseness and Clarity: Opt for simplicity to convey your business's offerings clearly, making it easier to market and recognize.

Domain and Trademark Diligence: Before finalizing, ensure the name is unique in terms of trademarks, domains, and social media.

Feedback is Vital: Seek input on your chosen name from friends and family to avoid future rebranding hassles.

Lessons from the Largest: Drawing inspiration from North America's biggest companies, we learn the power of simplicity, conveying scale, established confidence, memorability, and reflecting core services in a name.

Phonetic Influence: Understand the significance of phonetic symbolism in branding, choosing sounds that align with your company's attributes and character.

Business Names and Branding: In Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of naming your business is a blend of creativity, strategy, and insight. From the wisdom shared by our VP of Marketing, Elana Ostrega, to the lessons learned from the titans of North American commerce and the nuanced science of phonetics, every piece of advice converges on the importance of a name that resonates. 

A well-chosen name not only sets the foundation for your brand's identity but also encapsulates its spirit, values, and promise to customers.