Naming ideas that work
Stuck on a domain name? Nine proven naming techniques with examples, from compound words to prefixes and invented names, plus how to test your shortlist.
The hardest part of choosing a domain is often just coming up with names that aren't taken. These techniques help you generate dozens of options quickly. Then use the DomainNams search to see which are free.
Start with words
Spend five minutes writing three lists:
- What you do: bake, repair, coach, ship, design.
- How it feels: fresh, quick, calm, bold, friendly.
- Where or who: your town, landmarks, your customers.
Most good names come from combining words across these lists.
9 techniques
1. Compound words
Join two short words: Facebook, Snapchat, Dropbox. Pick words that make sense together and read cleanly in lowercase.
2. Descriptive plus a twist
Say what you do, with one memorable word: BrightSmile Dental, Golden Crust Bakery.
3. Prefixes
Add get, try, go, my or hey in front: getsunny.com, trybloom.com. A common startup trick when the plain word is taken.
4. Suffixes
Add hq, hub, labs, now or app after: bloomhq.com, shiplabs.com.
5. Place names
Add your city or region: tampaflowers.com. Great for local trust, but check the 5-year test if you might expand.
6. Metaphors
Use a word that suggests a quality: Amazon (huge), Oracle (knowledge), Slack (ease). Strong brands, but they take more work to explain.
7. Invented words
Make a new, pronounceable word: Zillow, Hulu, Etsy. Easy to trademark and find available, but you'll need to teach people what it means.
8. Altered words
Drop or change a letter from a real word: Flickr, Tumblr. Use sparingly: these often fail the radio test.
9. Alliteration and rhyme
Repeated sounds stick: PayPal, Coca-Cola, Best Buy. Say it aloud to make sure it isn't a tongue-twister.
Patterns to avoid
- Hyphens and numbers.
- Names very close to a famous brand (trademark risk).
- Trendy words that may date quickly.
- Words that read badly when run together. Write them in lowercase and read slowly.
- Names that only make sense in one language if you sell internationally.
Testing your shortlist
- Cut your list to five favorites.
- Check each in the DomainNams search and on the social platforms you'll use.
- Run the 10-second and radio tests on friends who haven't heard the names before.
- Check trademarks and the name's history (see our checklist).
- Sleep on it. The name you still like after a few days is usually the right one.