I can’t think of a name for my company: How to brand your business
Your company name is an important asset. It’s your identity and your calling card. It’s all over your branding, and it’s very difficult to change if you decide you don’t like it.
To protect themselves, many business owners often spend time poring over their company name ideas, desperately seeking the best option for their enterprises.
And, more often than not, they come up flat.
Choosing a business name is hard. How do other people do it? Some people always have the perfect name in mind, but those are the lucky few. If you’re one of those people that can’t figure out what to name your company, there’s still hope!
In this quick guide, we’ll look at a few tips for naming your business.
Business name generators
Simple, easy to use and surprisingly good at coming up with ideas. You can find plenty of business name generators online, purpose-built to find you a business name. It might seem like a cheat, but if you’re happy with the name, it doesn’t matter where it comes from.
Call it what it is
A business name doesn’t have to be complicated. You may spend days thinking of the perfect title only to find that the best choice is the most obvious one. Say you’re working out of Bristol and offering carpet cleaning services, why not consider Bristol Carpet Cleaners? It’s easy to remember, and it tells your customers exactly what you do. Sometimes, the answer is staring you in the face.
Use your own name
You will see countless businesses named after their founders. It’s a point of pride, and it puts a very personal branding on the company. If you’re a small business intent on connecting with consumers, this can be a great option. Keep in mind that if you name your business after yourself, it will become harder to sell if you ever decide to do so.
Look at your competitors
In some industries, you might notice business name patterns. For instance, all your competitors might be using Italian names, or they may name their brands after themselves. Using your competitors as inspiration for your business name can be a valuable practice. Why? Because if all your competitors are doing one thing, then your customers will build an association that this is the norm. Break from that normality, and you might find consumers set you apart from your industry peers, thinking you’re offering something different.
Explore foreign language
Foreign words are popular business names. They can provide a touch of class and sophistication for your name and give it an exotic appeal — while also having a deeper meaning. An example of this would be calling your business “Novus”. Novus is Latin for “new”. Quick, sharp and memorable — if you’re presenting a new and innovative idea, Novus would be a great business name.
Look for historic inspiration
Exploring historic events and periods can provide excellent opportunities for finding names that resonate with your business. For example, you might be founding a bold and aggressive new startup, which conjures up the idea of Sparta or Ancient Rome. Perhaps, instead, you’re launching a health and wellness brand, which is connected to spirituality. Here, maybe the cultures of Ancient Japan and Zen would help you find a name befitting of your brand.
Abbreviate with acronyms
“Jane Smith’s London Accountancy Firm” might not sound particularly exciting as a name, but switch it to JSL Accountancy, and it starts to sound a lot more like a professional brand. Acronyms are commonly used within business branding, which can help you to provide your business with an appropriate presence.
Check your name
Once you’ve come up with a name for your business, it is essential that you check to see if it is available. You can do that with a business name checker tool. A registered business name is a legal entity in the UK, which means you cannot share it with somebody else. Your business name must be unique, so if you’re going to establish a new business, you need to know you’re allowed to use your preferred name before you start branding your company.
