When choosing a name, you not only have to use your instinct, but you have to consider the market as well. Not only should your business identity be memorable and catchy, but it should be on-brand and legal.
You can drown in the plethora of choices and will always find one name better than the other. Moreover, as soon as you set your heart out on a title, you may find out that its domain name is not available anymore, and you’ll have to start all over again.
With more than 0.8 million startups popping in the US alone this year, it will be hard to look for which names are taken and which aren't. You cannot just go through all the names in the business directory — that may take ages.
But what you can do is use the internet and its tools, which are always at your disposal. To ensure that you choose the right name for your company, we have compiled a list of the top ten name-generating tools.
These can help you simplify the naming process, and the best part is that these tools are free. Read this guide to see how you can sift through millions of names and land on one that serves your business goals the best.
You might think naming a business would be easy — and the tough part would be thinking of the right product to sell and making your business plan.
Randomly thinking of a business name isn’t that complicated. Unfortunately, the name must make sense to the public and go with your line of business if you want it to work. Moreover, finding the right name for a business has a significant impact in the long run.
Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t ignore the business naming part:
In short, the name holds the essence of your startup, and you must keep it catchy, memorable, and easy to recall. A good appealing name will mold your startup’s identity and reflect its goals. So not only will it help you market yourself, but it will save you from a lot of legal trouble.
Now, here are the ten best name tools we came across that are free. Keep reading to know more.
You will find hundreds of name generators on the world wide web, but not all of them can be trusted. This is the problem with the internet — it increases choice but simultaneously increases confusion.
Therefore, it's best if you only go for reputable tools that have a proven track record. Here are the ones which we found to be the most secure and user-friendly.
If you are searching for a trusted name tool, Namelix has got you covered.
Not only is it free, but it is also extremely easy to use. Namelix is an AI-based generator, which provides a variety of options.
Once you enter a keyword, it will ask you for your preferred name length and name style.
After that, it will then give you nice business names with logo suggestions. It also connects you to a domain registrar.
On the other hand, you can also take the suggestion from Namelix and search for the available domains on our website and buy it for as low as $4.90.
Apart from all these amazing features, this tool utilizes algorithms to learn more from your choice and provide you with better recommendations later on.
Like Namelix, you will find hundreds of names on Shopify too. But, interestingly, this tool only generates business names that have available domains. This leads to less confusion, and you don't have to re-check availability on other platforms.
Once you enter in a keyword and hit its generate button, Shopify will present you with lots of business names ideas that contain your keyword.
Since Shopify is an all-around ecommerce platform, clicking on a name will enable you to reserve that brand name and even buy a custom domain for it inside the platform.
With the Shopify Name Generator, you can easily establish an online presence with a unique name instantly. There are thousands of name inspirations. The best part is that you can sign up for a Shopify store immediately after selecting the one that suits you best.
Oberlo Business Name Generator is a user-friendly platform that simplifies the whole process of finding a perfect name for your business. All you need is a keyword that identifies the core concept of your product or service — and enter the keyword on the field provided.
It will instantly display numerous pages containing distinct and catchy business names. You can scroll through the numerous choices and hopefully find the desired name.
Note that clicking on a business name will bring you to the registration page of Oberlo. If you don’t plan on creating your store on Oberlo, better get the business name idea and get the domain name from somewhere else.
Like Shopify, this tool also features in-built capabilities of generating only those names for which domains are available. So you will have one less thing to worry about when naming your startup.
Wordlab may not be as targeted as some other generators, but it's still one of our favorites. It offers millions of name combinations that include powerful and distinct titles. It also has other name generator tools for specific businesses.
The difference with this compared to other tools here is that you can’t enter a keyword for your business. It’s purely a one-click random business name generator.
The ideas it generates can help you build brand awareness and market your business in an appealing manner.
Another plus about Wordlab is that it includes a name builder, which can supplement the ideas you have generated. So you can build on these thoughts and create a name that matches your perspective.
Freshbooks Business Name Generator is one of the most interactive tools we have come across. The user interface of this generator is fast and friendly.
When you visit the site, it pops up a “Let’s get started” message and then asks you to select your industry.
Once you select your business type, it prompts you for a keyword and then shows its magic.
Initially, it will suggest the top three name ideas according to the input you have provided. These are the brand titles which it thinks suit you best. But there is an option of “Show me more names” that you can click to get more ideas.
Namesmith Business Name Generator is a tool we think is best for small-scale businesses. It allows you to include five keywords you want to include in the name. This gives you more variety to choose from.
Depending on the keywords you input, it will show you names containing exact keywords or a blend of them. You will even find blends, pre-suffixes, rhymes, and modifications.
Before Namesmith was bought, it used to redirect users to GoDaddy where you can purchase the domain name you like immediately before someone else snatches it away. Since it’s not possible to do anymore, you can use other registrars to find a domain name.
Lastly, this brand name generator features many advanced algorithms. These can help you construct portmanteaus and combine different words to reach a quirky and cool name.
If you want a cool and trendy business name, then Anadea should be your go-to. Like all generators, it works on keywords you provide and then provides you with a vast selection of catchy names.
Anadea used to prompt its users to get a quote, though this doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. In one way or another, Anadea is only good for generating business name suggestions and you will have to use another tool to check and buy a suitable domain name.
Brandbucket generates names that are not just unique but can also be converted into an aesthetic logo.
Usually, it provides catchy and one-word titles. Moreover, if you decide to purchase the domain name from Brand Bucket, you will gain free logo modification services.
The price tags of domain names differ and can be expensive. However, you can use this tool as inspiration if your budget is limited.
To sum it up, this generator is for established businesses that require responsive customer service, innovative name, aesthetic design but also have the required bucks.
BNG Store Name Generator provides names based on keywords. It helps you avoid frustration by providing you with available domain names in real-time. Regardless of the extension, you can get the optimal name just by a few keystrokes.
After you generate a keyword, the system will show you ideas. When you click on an idea, it will show you the available domain names, which you can plugin to your name registrar of choice.
Aside from the store name generator, BNG has more or less a hundred name generators, with some being business-specific. This tool is ideal for people who want to see business name ideas and check the domain name availability of those ideas simultaneously.
The last on our list is Namerific, which is another tool that offers logo services as well. Again, like Brandbucket, you get free inspiration, but you need to pay a hefty price for advanced services.
Some of its domains cost as high as $400k, but you can purchase most of them under $10k.
It sounds expensive, but the names and logos it provides have a nice ring to them. The ideas it generates are top-notch and unparalleled. They fit your keyword perfectly and complement your niche.
On the downside, its database may not be that exhaustive. When we tested the tool, it didn’t return any names for “dropship” or “dropshipping”. You should consider this when using the tool and enter a more general keyword or term.
Tips when selecting a business name to use
We can't emphasize more the importance of choosing the right name for your business. Of course, you can use the tools mentioned above to generate many creative names. But selecting the best one from the multiple options provided by these name generators is your call.
Remember, this decision will have a significant impact on the success of your startup. So think it through. Just don't go off a hunch. Weigh each option according to its merit and then gradually shorten your list until only one name remains — the chosen one.
Here are ten tips that can help you narrow down your choices and land you with a winning name for your startup:
By the way, if you want to check whether or not your business name is catchy, you can always take feedback from your family and friends. You can even use a questionnaire or survey. In most cases, you find the name appealing, but 99% of the people around you might disagree.
If this happens, then it's a sign to scratch that name out.
But what's more important is keeping your ideas and personality in tow as well. You have every right to prioritize your choice. As the owner, it's you who have to live with the name for a long time. So take the time to make sure both you and your customers are happy with the final name.
Finally, if you are ready to start your new business engine, head over to the tools we have mentioned and choose a name now. Once you select the name, you are on track to new beginnings.
Take that name to our domain tool to find the best deals. Moreover, you can get our personal web hosting plan that costs only $1.50 per month and you get a free .com domain good for one year!
With that, power your startup with a title that reflects and promotes its identity to the core.
We wish you luck in finding your chosen one and hope that whatever name you select benefits you the most. However, don’t fret too much about it. Use these tools and get a name you would be proud to call your own.
You can drown in the plethora of choices and will always find one name better than the other. Moreover, as soon as you set your heart out on a title, you may find out that its domain name is not available anymore, and you’ll have to start all over again.
With more than 0.8 million startups popping in the US alone this year, it will be hard to look for which names are taken and which aren't. You cannot just go through all the names in the business directory — that may take ages.
But what you can do is use the internet and its tools, which are always at your disposal. To ensure that you choose the right name for your company, we have compiled a list of the top ten name-generating tools.
These can help you simplify the naming process, and the best part is that these tools are free. Read this guide to see how you can sift through millions of names and land on one that serves your business goals the best.
Why is it important to come up with a catchy name for your online business?
You might think naming a business would be easy — and the tough part would be thinking of the right product to sell and making your business plan.
Randomly thinking of a business name isn’t that complicated. Unfortunately, the name must make sense to the public and go with your line of business if you want it to work. Moreover, finding the right name for a business has a significant impact in the long run.
Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t ignore the business naming part:
- A business name can either spell success or failure. There is no in-between. This is because a catchy name with a correct domain attracts customers and helps in marketing efforts. Get the name right, and the rest will follow.
- A unique title will increase brand engagement. If it's catchy, it will get their attention and persuade them to know more. Apart from that, a distinctive name helps you stand apart from the crowd and differentiates you from the competition.
- A wrong name can do much worse than repelling customers. It can lead to insurmountable legal hassles and penalties. In addition, it can also create branding hurdles, making it even more difficult for your business to survive.
- Lastly, the name you select will stay with you for a long time. It will be plastered all over your marketing campaign, paperwork, and other promotional materials. You can't change it easily, and even if you manage to change it, there will be consequences.
In short, the name holds the essence of your startup, and you must keep it catchy, memorable, and easy to recall. A good appealing name will mold your startup’s identity and reflect its goals. So not only will it help you market yourself, but it will save you from a lot of legal trouble.
Now, here are the ten best name tools we came across that are free. Keep reading to know more.
Free business name generators:
You will find hundreds of name generators on the world wide web, but not all of them can be trusted. This is the problem with the internet — it increases choice but simultaneously increases confusion.
Therefore, it's best if you only go for reputable tools that have a proven track record. Here are the ones which we found to be the most secure and user-friendly.
1. Namelix Business Name Generator
If you are searching for a trusted name tool, Namelix has got you covered.
Not only is it free, but it is also extremely easy to use. Namelix is an AI-based generator, which provides a variety of options.
Once you enter a keyword, it will ask you for your preferred name length and name style.
On the other hand, you can also take the suggestion from Namelix and search for the available domains on our website and buy it for as low as $4.90.
Apart from all these amazing features, this tool utilizes algorithms to learn more from your choice and provide you with better recommendations later on.
2. Shopify Simple Business Name Generator
Like Namelix, you will find hundreds of names on Shopify too. But, interestingly, this tool only generates business names that have available domains. This leads to less confusion, and you don't have to re-check availability on other platforms.
Once you enter in a keyword and hit its generate button, Shopify will present you with lots of business names ideas that contain your keyword.
Since Shopify is an all-around ecommerce platform, clicking on a name will enable you to reserve that brand name and even buy a custom domain for it inside the platform.
With the Shopify Name Generator, you can easily establish an online presence with a unique name instantly. There are thousands of name inspirations. The best part is that you can sign up for a Shopify store immediately after selecting the one that suits you best.
3. Oberlo Business Name Generator
Oberlo Business Name Generator is a user-friendly platform that simplifies the whole process of finding a perfect name for your business. All you need is a keyword that identifies the core concept of your product or service — and enter the keyword on the field provided.
It will instantly display numerous pages containing distinct and catchy business names. You can scroll through the numerous choices and hopefully find the desired name.
Note that clicking on a business name will bring you to the registration page of Oberlo. If you don’t plan on creating your store on Oberlo, better get the business name idea and get the domain name from somewhere else.
Like Shopify, this tool also features in-built capabilities of generating only those names for which domains are available. So you will have one less thing to worry about when naming your startup.
4. The Wordlab Business Name Generator
Wordlab may not be as targeted as some other generators, but it's still one of our favorites. It offers millions of name combinations that include powerful and distinct titles. It also has other name generator tools for specific businesses.
The difference with this compared to other tools here is that you can’t enter a keyword for your business. It’s purely a one-click random business name generator.
The ideas it generates can help you build brand awareness and market your business in an appealing manner.
Another plus about Wordlab is that it includes a name builder, which can supplement the ideas you have generated. So you can build on these thoughts and create a name that matches your perspective.
5. Freshbooks Business Name Generator
Freshbooks Business Name Generator is one of the most interactive tools we have come across. The user interface of this generator is fast and friendly.
When you visit the site, it pops up a “Let’s get started” message and then asks you to select your industry.
Once you select your business type, it prompts you for a keyword and then shows its magic.
Initially, it will suggest the top three name ideas according to the input you have provided. These are the brand titles which it thinks suit you best. But there is an option of “Show me more names” that you can click to get more ideas.
6. Namesmith Business Name Generator
Namesmith Business Name Generator is a tool we think is best for small-scale businesses. It allows you to include five keywords you want to include in the name. This gives you more variety to choose from.
Depending on the keywords you input, it will show you names containing exact keywords or a blend of them. You will even find blends, pre-suffixes, rhymes, and modifications.
Before Namesmith was bought, it used to redirect users to GoDaddy where you can purchase the domain name you like immediately before someone else snatches it away. Since it’s not possible to do anymore, you can use other registrars to find a domain name.
Lastly, this brand name generator features many advanced algorithms. These can help you construct portmanteaus and combine different words to reach a quirky and cool name.
7. Anadea Name Generator
If you want a cool and trendy business name, then Anadea should be your go-to. Like all generators, it works on keywords you provide and then provides you with a vast selection of catchy names.
Anadea used to prompt its users to get a quote, though this doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. In one way or another, Anadea is only good for generating business name suggestions and you will have to use another tool to check and buy a suitable domain name.
8. Brandbucket
Brandbucket generates names that are not just unique but can also be converted into an aesthetic logo.
Usually, it provides catchy and one-word titles. Moreover, if you decide to purchase the domain name from Brand Bucket, you will gain free logo modification services.
The price tags of domain names differ and can be expensive. However, you can use this tool as inspiration if your budget is limited.
To sum it up, this generator is for established businesses that require responsive customer service, innovative name, aesthetic design but also have the required bucks.
9. BNG Store Name Generator
BNG Store Name Generator provides names based on keywords. It helps you avoid frustration by providing you with available domain names in real-time. Regardless of the extension, you can get the optimal name just by a few keystrokes.
After you generate a keyword, the system will show you ideas. When you click on an idea, it will show you the available domain names, which you can plugin to your name registrar of choice.
Aside from the store name generator, BNG has more or less a hundred name generators, with some being business-specific. This tool is ideal for people who want to see business name ideas and check the domain name availability of those ideas simultaneously.
10. Namerific Premium Business Names
The last on our list is Namerific, which is another tool that offers logo services as well. Again, like Brandbucket, you get free inspiration, but you need to pay a hefty price for advanced services.
Some of its domains cost as high as $400k, but you can purchase most of them under $10k.
It sounds expensive, but the names and logos it provides have a nice ring to them. The ideas it generates are top-notch and unparalleled. They fit your keyword perfectly and complement your niche.
On the downside, its database may not be that exhaustive. When we tested the tool, it didn’t return any names for “dropship” or “dropshipping”. You should consider this when using the tool and enter a more general keyword or term.
Tips when selecting a business name to use
We can't emphasize more the importance of choosing the right name for your business. Of course, you can use the tools mentioned above to generate many creative names. But selecting the best one from the multiple options provided by these name generators is your call.
Remember, this decision will have a significant impact on the success of your startup. So think it through. Just don't go off a hunch. Weigh each option according to its merit and then gradually shorten your list until only one name remains — the chosen one.
Here are ten tips that can help you narrow down your choices and land you with a winning name for your startup:
- Avoid hard-to-spell and hard-to-pronounce words. Keep it simple and clear. Nobody likes names that are hard to pronounce and even harder to spell. Such titles can easily deter potential customers. Avoid such names at all costs as they fail to connect with your customers and make it difficult for them to find your business online.
- Avoid names that can limit your business growth. Names can hinder growth. If you narrow it down, it can create problems down the road. Adding product titles or specific locations can limit expansion in the future. For example, if Jeff Bezos had named “Amazon” something else like “OnlineBooks,” it wouldn't have turned into the multi-purpose platform it is today.
- Conduct a thorough search. Don't underestimate the power of research. More often than not, you will discover that all names cannot be claimed. You can always check out your business competition and get an idea of where to start.
- Claim the .com domain. Even though there are many extensions, we advise you to secure the “.com” domain name. Other alternatives such as .net, .biz, .org, will never be as good as .com. So, it wins the battle because people tend to associate .com with more established businesses. They can be more expensive to claim, but they are worth the investment.
- Convey meaning through your name. Ideally, everyone wants their business name to be appealing. But what they forget is that it should be meaningful as well. The appeal should be directly proportional to relevance, or else the name will be of no use to use.
- Follow your state guidelines. You might waste hours looking for a good name and then discover that your state restricts it. So it's best to first go through the Secretary of State search. Moreover, there are different business structures like corporations or LLC. Ensure your name is not deceptively similar to any other registered structure.
- Assess whether the name is catchy. Nobody wants a boring name for their business, but they end up having one. The sorcery behind this mishap is that they go with whatever they find catchy. But, unfortunately, they fail to assess the appeal in realistic terms.
- Ensure that the business name sounds good even when said aloud. Many names look pleasing to the eyes, but they are not pleasing to the ears. Your business name shouldn't only look good on paper, but it should also sound good when said out loud. Try to make sure that if there are two words, they should complement each other.
- Less is more and clutter is prohibitive. The fewer letters there are, the more sense it makes. Of course, this doesn't mean you can only choose short names. But it is recommended to go for smaller names that have seven letters or fewer.
- Make sure you are personally happy with the name. In the end, the business is all yours, so the name should be something that resonates with you as well. Again, it’s advised to look around and keep your target audience in mind when selecting a name.
By the way, if you want to check whether or not your business name is catchy, you can always take feedback from your family and friends. You can even use a questionnaire or survey. In most cases, you find the name appealing, but 99% of the people around you might disagree.
If this happens, then it's a sign to scratch that name out.
But what's more important is keeping your ideas and personality in tow as well. You have every right to prioritize your choice. As the owner, it's you who have to live with the name for a long time. So take the time to make sure both you and your customers are happy with the final name.
Find the chosen one
Finally, if you are ready to start your new business engine, head over to the tools we have mentioned and choose a name now. Once you select the name, you are on track to new beginnings.
Take that name to our domain tool to find the best deals. Moreover, you can get our personal web hosting plan that costs only $1.50 per month and you get a free .com domain good for one year!
With that, power your startup with a title that reflects and promotes its identity to the core.
We wish you luck in finding your chosen one and hope that whatever name you select benefits you the most. However, don’t fret too much about it. Use these tools and get a name you would be proud to call your own.
