Once you’ve decided to create your own start-up business, and grow your client list, you may run into the common problem of not knowing what to name it! Naming a small business can be intimidating for many small business owners, but it doesn’t have to be as tricky as it seems.
We’ll discuss some helpful resources for naming your business and offer some naming ideas that can help you get started with your new business today!
- Consider Your Businesses Personality
When deciding on a business name, consider the personality or mission behind your start-up. You want to choose a name that not only appeals to others and catches their attention but has meaning and intention. For example, take the organization Rise and Lead, which aims to inspire women to show up and get a seat at the table. As you can see, the name directly correlates to the mission of the program. Consider how your name fits into your business before deciding on a name.
- Think Outside The Box
Sometimes business owners get so caught up in finding the “perfect” business name that relates directly to their business instead of taking a creative approach. Don’t be afraid to brainstorm unusual names that can help set you apart from others in your industry and make an impact with customers right away.
A great example of a clever name is Ataro Foods, where the business owner chose a creative way to say that she sells West African peppers and spices. Ataro means habanero pepper in the Yoruba Language. However, if they had not thought outside the box, they may not have been able to find such a creative name.
- Use Naming Resources
If you’re still struggling with name ideas, you might want to use naming websites to help. A few great resources include:
- Visual Thesaurus – This resource helps create word maps that connect related words
- Shopify Business Name Generator – Enter one word to describe your brand and let Shopify help with name ideas
- Looka Name Generator – Helps brainstorm ideas and check availability of a name
- Get Feedback On Your Name
While you might think that your business name is fantastic, you might find that others find it hard to remember or have issues pronouncing and spelling it. Ask for feedback from friends, co-workers, family, colleagues, and members of your target audience to ensure that there are no objections or issues with the name. For example, translated names can get tricky, so asking a native speaker for feedback would be essential.
- Check The Trademark Status Of Any Potential Names
Once you’ve found a few names that you like, it’s essential to research and find out if your idea has already been trademarked. If your business is in the United States, you can use the Trademark Electronic Search System through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This is free but will ensure that someone hasn’t already claimed that business name and helps avoid any potential legal issues.
- Trademark Your Name
Once you have decided on a business name and ensured no one else has legal rights to it, you’ll want to trademark the name yourself. Trademarking your business name is vital to protect the ownership and intellectual property of the business.
Copyrights and trademarks for small business owners can help ensure that no one else will use your business name and legally protects your name if someone else wants to use it. If you want to trademark your business, you’ll need to file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Make sure to read through all required forms and pay the correct fees to register your business correctly.
Naming a business is not always an easy task, but it’s essential to create something beneficial for you and your business. By taking the time to think about business personality, getting feedback, researching the trademark status of potential business names, and eventually trademarking your business name, you’ll be able to create a business name that is beneficial for your business. Need help creating a sustainable business? Check out additional resources, workshops, templates, and guides available at the Founder Table Club.
