7 Easy Steps on How to Come Up With a Business Name With Checklist(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? Here’s my experience with me answering the question, “How can I create a unique name?”, while sticking in people’s minds and feels just right.
Personal Name vs Business Name: Pros and Cons
Should I use my real name for my business? This is probably what some of you business owners have thought about in the past. After all, if you use your own name as a brand name, it essentially ties you to the business structure, whether intentionally or not. Here are some pros and cons that I’ve found which may help you decide whether you want to use your personal name vs business name.
| Category | Personal Name | Business Name |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Pros | – Feels authentic and personal – Quick to set up – Good if you’re already well-known | – Easier to scale and expand – Looks more professional – Better SEO and domain availability – Easier to trademark and legally protect – More brandable and memorable |
| ❌ Cons | – Difficult to trademark (especially common names) – Not suitable for team growth – Tied to your reputation. – Any controversy affects your brand – Privacy concerns – Might lack personal warmth at the start – Limits resale or exit options – Rebranding is difficult if your brand name changes – May not rank well on search engines – Looks unprofessional for certain industries – Potential customers may expect you to always be personally involved, even if you scale | – Requires more creative effort initially – Might lack personal warmth at the start |
If you’ve decided to stick with a business name, we’ve compiled 7 steps on how to get your desired business name for your online business.
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:
| Additional Resources | Question | Your Answer (Fill in the Blank) |
|---|---|---|
| How to give an elevator pitch? | How would you describe your business to a stranger? | What’s your elevator pitch in one or two lines? |
| What are brand values? | What are your brand values? | (e.g. transparency, creativity, efficiency) |
| How to do research on my target audience? | Who is your target audience?What is your ideal customer like? | Age, lifestyle, habits, income etc. Picture a real person: What do they want? Need? Struggle with? |
| Thesaurus | What should your brand name feel like? What is your brand personality? | Should it sound sleek, cozy, trendy, premium, etc.? |
| Wheel of emotional words | What words come to mind when describing your business? What emotions do you want to spark? | Create a word bank of 10–20 terms that capture your vibe and purpose. (e.g. excitement, nostalgia, calm, inspiration) |
Step 2. Brainstorm For Unique Business Name Ideas
I find it helpful to think of my business idea as a “person”. This will help to determine what kind of core values I align myself and my business with, which makes it easier for brainstorming.
Here’s what you can do (or at least my workflow):
a) Start with a blank page. Jot down anything and everything related to your business idea. For example, if I were starting a matcha brand, I’d scribble stuff like:
- Matcha, green tea, umami, jade, moss, whisked, zen, chasen, bloom, verdant, powdered…
b) Do a quick Google Search. It can give you creative business name ideas for your online business.
- Literally type in “matcha company” or “matcha business near me.” on Google Maps
- You’ll get a sense of who else is out there, what they’re called, what people are saying in reviews, and the kind of target market they’re attracting.
- Sometimes just scrolling through local listings can spark a totally original idea or help you dodge brand names that are already overused.
c) Incorporate some market research. Decide whether you would like to stand out or build on the existing trends.
- Either direction can work. You just need to be intentional.
d) 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 brand name, and your audience gets to feel involved.
Use A Business Name Generator for your brand name
When your brain feels fried, let tech do some of the heavy lifting.
| Arvin AI Business Name Generator | |
|---|---|
| Price | Free to use |
| Customization | Adjustable brand name length, style, and tone |
| Export or Save Options | Yes. Download or copy selected names |
| Usage Limits | No payment required for access |
How an online 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 brand names and choose one that aligns with your brand or business.
⚠️ Note: While Arvin AI is free to use, some other business name generators may charge a small fee to unlock brand names or domain bundles. Always check the terms before committing.
Tools like Arvin AI company name generator or other business name generators can spit out creative combinations you might not have considered.
Step 3. Get Inspired, And Tips for Protection
Got a favourite song or movie? Let your creative juices take hold of what you already like, and apply it to your small business’ structure and brand name. Sometimes, the best ideas come from things you already love or meaningful stories that make your brand stand out amongst other industry business names.
However, here are some things to take note in order to provide legal protection to yourself:
| What to Check | Why It Matters | Suggested Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Trademark availability | To make sure the name isn’t already registered or in active use within your region or industry. | International Trademark Law |
| Domain name availability | So you can secure the matching website URL and avoid confusion. | Domain Search |
| Consistency across social media | To keep your branding clean and easy to find on all platforms. | Check handles on Instagram, TikTok, etc. |
| Avoid using direct copyrighted names or phrases | To reduce legal risks, especially if inspired by media or public figures. | Reading Resource: Direct vs Indirect Copyright Infringement |
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
- Rhymes and alliteration work well
- Don’t be too generic
Business Name Ideas Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Sentimental Names | Dell (Michael Dell), Ford (Henry Ford), Estée Lauder (family name) |
| Foreign Words | Volvo (“I roll” in Latin), Adidas (Adi Dassler), Lululemon (invented word) |
| Descriptive Names | Facebook, YouTube |
| Mythological Names | Nike (Greek goddess), Hermes, Oracle |
| Invented Words | 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. Before committing to a name, ask yourself:
Will this still make sense if I double my offerings? If I enter a new market? If my industry changes in five years?
The more adaptable your name is, the easier it will be to grow your brand without needing a complete rebrand.
Use this checklist to make sure your business name can grow and evolve with your brand:
- Does the name still make sense if I expand my product or service range?
- Is it broad enough to support future growth into new markets or categories?
- Could this name apply internationally, or is it too locally specific?
- Am I avoiding names based on short-term trends or outdated technologies?
- Will this name still feel relevant 5–10 years from now?
- Could the name adapt if the industry shifts (e.g. print → digital)?
- Can I easily build sub-brands or product lines under this name?
- Will this name work across different platforms (e.g. website, app, physical store)?
- Does it give me room to pivot or scale without rebranding completely?
- Is the domain name available and not tied to a trend-specific TLD (like .ai or .tv) unless necessary?
- Have I checked that the name isn’t too specific (e.g. “Just Soaps”) for long-term relevance?
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
Make sure your business name is available as a domain. A good domain should be:
- Short and easy to spell
- Memorable and relevant
- Ideally a .com domain, which builds the most trust
If your preferred .com is taken, consider alternatives like .co, .io, or .net—but avoid overly niche or quirky extensions unless it fits your brand and audience.
Pro Tip: Spotify and Dropbox succeeded partly because their domains were easy to remember and directly matched their business names.
Tools to Check Domain Availability:
List of words disregarded when assessing identical names
- The, Asia, Associates, Company, Corporation, Group
- Holdings, Incorporated, International, Partners
- Singapore, South Asia, Trading, Worldwide
- Berhad (Bhd), Limited (Ltd), LLP, LP
- Pte, PAC, Sdn, .co, .com, .org, .net, .sg
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 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.
| Platform | What to Do | If Taken, Try Variations Like… |
|---|---|---|
| Search your exact business name as a handle | @ShopYourName, @YourNameCo | |
| Twitter / X | Check for exact name or recognizable short form | @TheYourName, @YourNameOfficial |
| TikTok | Confirm availability for brand consistency | @YourNameCo, @TheYourName |
| Reserve your Page name and username | @ShopYourName, @YourNameOfficial | |
| Create a company page with a clear, searchable name | @YourNameCo, @TheYourName | |
| Claim a profile matching your brand name | @YourNameCo, @ShopYourName |
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.
How 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.
| Tool | Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Arvin AI | AI-powered logo creation for new business branding, fully customizable | Free/Paid |
| Adobe Express | Professional logo creation with advanced customization | Free/Paid |
| Looka | Logo generator with full brand kits | Paid |
| Canva | Easy-to-use templates for business owners | Free/Paid |
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:
- Create marketing materials with your new business name and logo
- Check that your business name does not have any unintended meanings
- 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!
FAQ
How do I create a catchy business name?
Use online tools to explore creative combinations and test the business name ideas with friends or potential customers. This way, you can find a name that resonates and sticks.
What are some free business name generators?
Several free online tools like Arvin AI are great for exploring creative options and narrowing down your choices.
How can I check my business growth?
Check your sales month-over-month or year-over-year. Use tools like Google Analytics, or check your Shopify/Wix stats. Track repeat purchases, subscriptions, potential customers, or returning clients. Are people mentioning you without you paying them? Showing up in blogs? Getting tagged in random TikToks? These are signs of your growth!
Is it ok to name a business after yourself?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: It depends on your vision. If you want to eventually sell your business, franchise it, or expand it globally, having it tied to your personal name might make it harder.
What is an entity name?
“Entity name” refers to the legal name under which a business operates, used for formal and legal commitments, Apple Inc (entity name) vs Apple (business name) vs https://www.apple.com/ (domain name).
