Table of Contents▼
What should I name my business? This is one of the most common questions founders ask. Your business name will appear everywhere: domain, logo, business cards, emails, and conversations.
This guide gives you 7 proven naming frameworks used by billion-dollar companies.
Why Your Business Name Matters
Research shows 77% of consumers make purchase decisions influenced by brand names. A great name builds trust before you say a word about your product.
What a Great Name Does
Instant Recognition
People remember you after one mention
Word of Mouth
Easy to share, recommend, and search
Market Positioning
Signals what you do and who you serve
Legal Protection
Distinctive names are easier to trademark
Framework 1: The Invented Word
Create a completely new word that did not exist before.
| Company | Origin | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Kodak | Invented by founder | Distinctive, trademarkable |
| Xerox | From Greek xeros | Unique, became synonymous with copying |
| Spotify | Spot + identify | Short, fun to say |
How to create invented names:
- Combine word fragments (Micro + Soft = Microsoft)
- Add tech suffixes (-ify, -ly, -io)
- Blend two relevant words
Framework 2: The Abstract Real Word
Use an existing word in an unexpected context.
| Company | Word | Original Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Apple | Fruit |
| Amazon | Amazon | River |
| Slack | Slack | Loose, ease |
| Stripe | Stripe | Line, pattern |
| Notion | Notion | Idea, concept |
This works because the word is instantly recognizable but creates intrigue in a new context.
Framework 3: The Compound Word
Combine two words into a new branded term.
| Company | Words Combined |
|---|---|
| Face + Book | |
| Snapchat | Snap + Chat |
| WordPress | Word + Press |
| Dropbox | Drop + Box |
Keep total length under 12 characters and verify domain availability.
Framework 4: The Suffix Play
Add a common tech suffix to create a branded name.
| Suffix | Examples | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| -ify | Spotify, Shopify | Action-oriented |
| -ly | Grammarly, Calendly | Friendly |
| -io | Figma, Loom | Tech-focused |
| -hub | GitHub, HubSpot | Central connector |
Framework 5: The Metaphor
Use a metaphor representing what you do or how customers feel.
| Company | Metaphor | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nike | Goddess of victory | Winning, athletics |
| Amazon | Largest river | Vast selection |
| Uber | German for super | Premium |
Framework 6: The Founder Name
Use founder names or initials carefully.
| Company | Origin |
|---|---|
| Disney | Walt Disney |
| Bloomberg | Michael Bloomberg |
| Dyson | James Dyson |
Founder names work for personal brands. For startups planning to scale, a separate brand name is often better.
Framework 7: The Descriptive Name
Describe what you do directly.
| Company | What It Describes |
|---|---|
| General Electric | General + Electric |
| American Airlines | American + Airlines |
| Whole Foods | Whole + Foods |
Descriptive names are clear but hard to trademark and limit future pivots.
Which Framework for You?
| Building... | Best Framework |
|---|---|
| Tech startup/SaaS | Invented, Compound, Suffix |
| Consumer brand | Abstract, Metaphor |
| Local service | Descriptive, Founder |
| B2B enterprise | Compound, Abstract |
What Makes a Name Work
Great names share these traits:
Short
5-10 characters ideal
Speakable
Easy to say and spell
Available
Domain you can get
The Phone Test
Can someone hear your name once and:
- Spell it correctly?
- Remember it an hour later?
- Find your website?
Common Naming Mistakes
| Mistake | Why Bad | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Using numbers | Looks cheap | Use words only |
| Hyphens | Easy to forget | Find alternative |
| Hard to spell | Confusing | Prioritize clarity |
| Too long | Hard to remember | Under 12 chars |
How to Choose
Generate Ideas
Check Availability
Phone Test
Get Feedback
Decide
Ready to Name Your Business?
Stop struggling with what should I name my business. namemyapp generates unique, brandable names with guaranteed available domains in under 10 minutes.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Domain?
Generate AI-powered business names with guaranteed availability. No signup required.
Share your business idea on Twitter for name suggestions!
