Choosing the right name for your startup is one of the most important early decisions you’ll make as a founder. A compelling, clear, and memorable name can help your brand stand out, attract customers, ease marketing, and avoid legal headaches down the road. Conversely, a confusing or poorly chosen name can make growth harder, block discoverability, or even force a costly rebrand later.
Here are 15 smart naming strategies to guide you—from brainstorming to legal checks—to help you choose a name that works now and scales with your business.
1. Keep It Simple, Clear, and Easy to Spell
If people struggle to spell or pronounce your name, they may not find you online, which means lost website visits, missed word-of-mouth referrals, and lower discoverability. Avoid intentionally misspelled or overly stylized names (even if they seem cool at first).
Dispatches From The Front 