Layne is an active freelance writer. She enjoys staying up to date on trends, media, and emerging topics.

How to Choose a Name for Your Startup

A while back I met with a lawyer because I was interested in trademarking a name for my media company. He gave me a great lesson on what it takes to select a name and how trademarked names are categorized—what makes them strong. There are three types that pertained to my "startup":

• Indicative: An indicative mark indicates what service or type of goods are being offered—like a "suggestion" (also see other term). A good example of this is "Greyhound" because it indicates movement.
• Fanciful: A strong choice when choosing a name to trademark. This is a term, name, or logo that is distinguishable from anything that exists. Examples of fanciful names include Kodak, Nike, Adidas, and Kleenex. This category doesn't compete with "generic" names like "bike studio."
• Arbitrary: Arbitrary choices are also strong because it's a word or term that has an adapted meaning. The most common example of this is Apple. Apple has come to be identified with the sales of electronic manufacturing but the actual meaning of the word "apple" in English has no association with that service or product.

Do Your Research

Now that you know what category of name you are shooting for, do your research. You can acquire a name that is currently being used (but not always) if your services are TOTALLY different. But to be safe, and to avoid cease and desist letters or whatever in the future, choose something unique.

Tips for Creating Startup Names

How to Hybridize Words

Hybridizing words is way easier than it seems. Simply pick two words and hack them—yep, simply divide them up. If you have consents like "K" or "C" that are easily replaceable, do it. If you have letters like "S" and "Z" that are easily replaceable, do it. If you have letters like "F" and "PH" that are easily replaceable, do it.

Cut Letters or Vowels Out of Words

You can simply remove vowels from words using leetspeak (1337—gamers and hackers know) like B33T (beet) or "finder" can read as FindR.

Startup Names for Creative or Artistic Companies

Startup Name Ideas

Letter Substitutions for Startup Names

Startup Name Ideas: Sortable Table

More Creative Name Ideas

Words That Can Be Disguised Using Substitution

Miscellaneous Creative Business Name Ideas

© 2019 Layne Holmes

Comments

SATHEESH N S on August 13, 2020:

I want names for cnc wood cutting center

Pranjal mishra on August 05, 2020:

I want names for packing products such as macaroni ,pasta,Dalia ,besan ,maida etc.

Darshan on February 20, 2020:

Good