how to find an original brand name
Naming your brand is no easy feat. How do you stand out? How do you make sure your brand name aligns with your vision and mission? This world is full of so many people with similar ideas. Here’s how I’d tackle it:
⚡️ What is your why?
🏜️ What is the vision?
🪩 What is the vibe?
🐚 What’s a unique word or combination of words?
🥭 Do you need a trademark?
You’ve got questions, and I’ve got some answers or directions so you can find them for yourself.
First, ask yourself what your true mission is with this business. WHY did you start this business? What is your guiding light and the reason that you stay in business?
Secondly, what is your vision? Where the business is heading, what you aspire to be, and the long-term impact you want to make. What is your inspiration, and what inspires your audience?
Business strategy aside, there’s the fun vibe-setting, too:
What are your core themes? Try to select 2-3 themes (honestly, they can be tertiary (related) but if they starkly contrast or are an unexpected pairing, even better!)
To start generating fresh name ideas, you can drop all of your ideas for words or concepts in Mixwords to try and find a fresh combination of words. I like to drop in halves of words to this tool to create a new word from mashing up two unique words.
ChatGPT can be used to help you name, but I’ve found its suggestions a bit lacking in depth. If you use Chat, make sure to specifically request uncommon words here, or it’ll keep recommending the same super common words to you. The more specifically you can direct Chat (or your own brain) is better. Try to uncover the themes and their terminology. Is it historical? Mythical? Earthy? Grounded? Blunt and brash? Light, gentle, welcoming?
Got it? You’re doing great. I bet you’ve got some amazing ideas.
Once you’ve selected a name that totally matches your vision for the brand, the vibe you’re curating, and fits in the world of your ideal consumer - it’s time to make sure it’s available.
Check to see if it is trademarked. This site can help you search existing trademarks.
See if the domain is available, or if there are similar domains you could use with IWantMyName.
Note: if your brand name is too similar to another brand in the same category, you may run into copyright infringement. You do really need a lawyer if real trademark issues arise. You don’t have to file a trademark but you should consider the risks if you don’t have one.
For context, filing a trademark can be upwards of $1,500 usd. I look at it as the cost of starting a business. You only have to pay it once, and that’s cheaper than lawyer fees if another company were to send you a cease and desist.
Once you’ve got your name and trademark filed, you’re good to go. Get that bag. You were called to be an entrepreneur, founder, CEO - and you totally got this.
Friendly reminder that I do branding and love working with other passionate, tenacious business owners and starters. I’ve worked with clients like Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott and my clients have been featured in publications like HGTV. If you’d like to work with me, reach out via a brief questionnaire that I created to get to know your business and goals.
