7 Easy Steps on How to Come Up With a Business Name (2025)

Finding the perfect business name feels a bit like naming a band—it’s exciting, but it can also feel like every great idea is already taken within your industry. A business name is the hook that grabs attention, and sometimes, the reason people click “follow” on Instagram. So how to come up with a business name for your new business?

Learn how to choose a logo that speaks your brand values.

You want something that sparks curiosity, sticks in people’s minds, and screams, “This is me!” But how do you actually land on a company name that feels just right?

Seven Steps to Come Up With Good Business Name Ideas

Picture this: You’re at a party, and someone asks, “So, what do you do?” What’s your elevator pitch? Are you the next small business for quirky handmade goods, or the Tesla of sustainable tech gadgets? Being clear about what you stand for is your first step toward finding a catchy name that inspires fresh ideas and potentially becoming a household name.

Step 1. Identify Your Target Audience

How would you describe your company to others? Being able to answer this will greatly answer how to come up with a business name for your small business.

You have to be able to first tie your brand’s identity into the naming to make choosing a business name easier. Here are some other things to ask yourself:

• How would you describe your business to a stranger?
  • Identify your brand values, and key attributes of your business
• Who are you trying to reach? Who is your target market?
  • Who’s your ideal customer?
    • Is it Gen Z TikTokers looking for the next trendy aesthetic, or parents juggling three kids and a dog who need life to be easier? Your audience influences everything, from the vibe of your name to how it resonates in their world. For example, something snappy like “Glossier” lands differently than “Goldman Sachs.”
• What kind of emotions are you trying to spark?
  • Do you want existing or new customers to feel energized, nostalgic, or reassured? Look at brands like “Spotify,” which hints at music discovery, or “LEGO,” evoking creativity and play.
  • Your name should connect emotionally.
• What words come to mind when you describe your business?
  • Start making a word bank, these are your building blocks. They’ll help you create a name that feels authentic and memorable.

Step 2. Brainstorm For Unique Business Name Ideas

Begin with a blank page and jot down anything that relates to start brainstorm small business names.

A quick Google search can give you fresh business name ideas for your online business. Incorporate some market research into this process to help you see what your competitors are naming their brand names, and decide whether you would like to stand out or build on the existing trends.

Two heads are better than one, and sometimes the best ideas come from people who see your business from a fresh perspective. Share your top picks with trusted friends, coworkers, or even your Instagram followers. Pro tip: Run a poll on social media—it’s like A/B testing for your name, and your audience gets to feel involved.

Use A Business Name Generator

When your brain feels fried, let tech do some of the heavy lifting. Tools like Arvin AI company name generatoror other business name generators can spit out creative combinations you might not have considered.

How a business name generator works:

• Specify the industry or type of business keywords.
• Input any relevant keywords or preferences.
• Click generate to receive company name suggestions.
• Review the names and choose one that aligns with your brand or business.

Think of these business name generators as brainstorming tools to give you fresh business name ideas, not final decision-makers, because you still want a name that feels authentically you.

Benefits of using a brand name generator:

• Industry-specific options
• Domain availability checks
• Saves time

Most business name generators are free to use, and they often times generate names without a cost and are fully customisable in the amount of letters you want your name to be (from one word to a couple syllables long). They’re perfect for small businesses looking for a name for your business or domain name. However, some business name generators costs a small fee to use, so take note when you are choosing your name generator.

Step 3. Pull Inspiration From Literature, Songs, or Trends

Finding the perfect name for your business doesn’t have to feel like staring into the creative void. Sometimes, the best ideas come from things you already love or meaningful stories that make your brand stand out amongst other industry business names. Tap into the worlds of literature, music, or even iconic movie moments to give your business name a memorable twist.

For instance, if you’re launching a vintage clothing store, why not borrow from the timeless charm of Jane Austen’s world with a name like “Pemberley Threads”? Pop culture references can make your name instantly recognizable and relatable, like how “Central Perk” from Friends would perfectly fit a cozy café.

Step 4. Create Clear and Catchy Business Names

A name rooted in your story or mission has a special kind of magic. If your business was inspired by a personal experience or a family tradition, reflect that in the business name. For example, “Harper & Co.” might honor a beloved family member, adding a personal touch to a boutique shop.

• Avoid complicated names
  • The most memorable business names are clean and easy to grasp.
  • Look at how “Spotify” cuts through the clutter by being simple and fun while hinting at music discovery.
  • Having easy names makes it easier for your customers to search you on the search bar!
• Rhymes and alliteration work well
  • Ever wondered why names like “Dunkin’ Donuts” or “Krispy Kreme” stick in your head? It’s the magic of sound. Rhyming or repeating sounds make names fun to say and easy to recall. If you’re launching a bakery, something like “Butter Bliss” could be catchy and delightful. A little rhythm can go a long way in making your name unforgettable.
• Don’t be too generic
  • While simplicity is great, being too vague can make your business fade into the background.
  • The goal is to balance clarity with originality (don’t lean in too much to industry terms!) your name should be easy to understand but still make people want to know more.

Business Name Ideas Categories

• Sentimental Names
  • Dell (Founder: Michael Dell)
  • Ford (Founder: Henry Ford)
  • Estée Lauder (family name)
• Foreign words
  • Volvo (Latin for “I roll”)
  • Adidas (Named after founder Adolf “Adi” Dassler — German roots)
  • Lululemon (Invented foreign-sounding word)
• Descriptive names
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
• Mythology
  • Nike (Greek goddess)
  • Hermes
  • Oracle
• Made up invented names
  • Google
  • Hulu
• Nature Inspired
  • Whole Foods
  • Amazon

Step 5. Think Long-Term

Choosing a business name isn’t just about what works today. You have to take into account the important factors impacting business growth potential and ensuring your brand name thrives in the future. A great business name grows with you, adapting to shifts in your industry and ambitions.

Here’s how to keep your name future-ready:

• Future-Proof Your Name
  • Avoid names that tie you to outdated trends or technologies. Imagine if Netflix had called itself “DVD Mailbox.” It might have worked in 1997 but would feel out of place in today’s streaming era. Similarly, naming your brand “Print Media Solutions” could limit you if you pivot to digital content down the road.
• Consider Expansion
  • Think about where your business could be five or ten years from now. If you start with handmade soaps, but eventually want to branch out into skincare, beauty tools, or wellness, a name like “Suds & Scents” could feel restrictive. Instead, a broader name like Lush gives room to grow without locking you into a specific niche. Similarly, Virgin began in the music industry but expanded into airlines, mobile services, and even space travel, thanks to its versatile name.

Step 6. Check Domain Availability

Coming up with a captivating business name is just the first step. To make it truly yours and avoid future legal issues, you’ll need to ensure your name is available across digital platforms, register it properly, and protect it legally.

A good business name only works if customers can find you online, and no one else is using it.

Do A Domain Name Check

Your business name needs a matching domain that’s short, memorable, and easy to spell. For example, brands like Spotify and Dropbox nailed their brand recognition by creating unique names with simple, corresponding URLs.

Use tools like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains to check availability. Always aim for a .com if possible, it builds trust and signals a professional entity name. If .com isn’t available, alternative domain endings like .co, .io, or .net are popular with small businesses and online business startups but be mindful of not confusing new customers.

Pro Tip: Avoid overly quirky domain extensions unless your target audience expects it.

List of words disregarded when assessing identical names

Trademark Search Your Company Name

A great business name is useless if it lands you in a legal nightmare. Imagine launching your business, investing in marketing materials, building your website — and then receiving a cease-and-desist letter because your name is already trademarked. Avoid this by doing a trademark office search in your country (such as the USPTO in the U.S.) to see if your chosen name is already registered.

Trademark Search Tools:

• United States: https://www.uspto.gov/ (USPTO — Trademark Office)
• Global Search: https://www.wipo.int/branddb/en/ (WIPO Database)
• Local Government Business Registry (Search your region or country)

If your chosen business name is unique within your industry, you can register your business name officially to protect your entity name from being used by others in your region or industry. Brands like Innocent Drinks ensured their name was legally their own.

Consulting a legal expert like a trademark attorney or business entity specialist can help you avoid confusion with legal problems regarding your domain name, how much coverage your trademark has in other locations, and save you from future headaches.

Register Your Business Name & Secure Catchy Social Media Handles

Consistency is key when building your brand identity across platforms. Check platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to ensure your name (or a close variation) is available. If your preferred handle is taken, adding a subtle tweak, like “@ShopYourName” or “@YourNameCo”, can work.

Check Social Media Handle Availability on these platforms:

• Instagram
• Twitter / X
• TikTok
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest

If your exact name is taken, add subtle modifiers like:

• @ShopYourName
• @YourNameCo
• @TheYourName
• @YourNameOfficial

Once your domain and trademark checks are clear, don’t forget to register your business name legally in your jurisdiction. This formalizes your entity name with your state or country’s business registry, preventing others from registering the same name locally.

Step 7. Make a Logo for Your Business Handle

Once you’ve come up with the perfect business name, whether through creative brainstorm business sessions or using business name generators, it’s time to visually bring your business ideas to life.

Having a logo is the visual identity customers will associate with your brand names, values, and mission. Strong logo design plays a huge role in brand recognition and customer trust, especially for a brick and motar business or online business competing for attention in a crowded market.

Your logo sets the tone for your brand—discover how to make it meaningful and memorable with this blog!

Tools to Create a Business Logo

If you’re not a design expert (or don’t want to hire one yet), there are plenty of accessible tools to help you create a good business logo quickly and affordably.

Design your dream logo in seconds—try our free logo maker and bring your brand to life!

Things Take Note of After You Come Up With a Business Name

After you’ve finished coming up with your business name, its not all over yet! These are some things you need to take note of:

1. Create marketing materials with your new business name and logo
2. Check that your business name does not have any unintended meanings
3. Check if your business name has a unique spelling that is unique to you and avoid confusion

Final Tips

At the end of the day, your name should feel authentic, align with your mission, and spark genuine excitement. Trust your gut—if a name keeps popping into your head or makes you smile every time you say it out loud, it’s probably the one.

That said, don’t rush the process. A great name takes time, so give yourself the space to brainstorm, test, and reflect before making a final decision. Finally, once you’ve chosen your name, own it with confidence. Start weaving it into your messaging, branding, and conversations to create a cohesive identity. Remember to double check the spelling and the exact name you want to use for your business!

No design skills? No problem.

Build your brand with a professional logo using our easy AI-powered tool!

With the right name and the confidence to embrace it, you’ll have a solid foundation for building a memorable and impactful brand with just a click!

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