How To Come Up With a Business Name That Wins in 2025

You’ve got your business idea and are now figuring out how to start a small business, including coming up with a business name! Ideally, you want a business name that grabs the attention of all who hear it. But choosing a company name is a common obstacle for new entrepreneurs and small business owners. 

In this article, we’ll show you how to come up with some catchy business name ideas for your new venture. Below, you’ll find:

Ready? Let’s dive into these qualities and look at tips to get you through the business name-creation process…

Seven ways to come up with good business name ideas

There are lots of different approaches to thinking your way into a name. It’s a creative process, after all, so there are loads of different ways to approach it. If you’re really stumped, why not start by playing with our awesome (and free) Business Name Generator?

If you prefer to brainstorm the old fashioned way, here’s some inspiration about how to start brainstorming.

1. Make it original

Being original can be scary (and hard) to do, but it’s essential when naming your business — don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd! 

A gazillion apps have names like Tinder, Grindr, Flickr, and Tumblr, so accept that your Stark-family-themed Game of Thrones app called Wintr will only get lost in the shuffle.

As a new startup, or small business, your business name needs to compel people to sit up and take notice.

To generate a boatload of options to work with, don’t edit yourself during the brainstorming process — it’s all about a free flow of ideas and imagination.

Get reflective and ask yourself the following questions: 

• How would you describe your company to others? 
• Who is your target audience?
• What feelings do you want to evoke in your customers? 
• Do certain adjectives come to mind when you think about your business? 
• What do you do differently? 

Grab a piece of paper and a pen and start writing it all down.

2. Find inspiration in unique places

When deliberating on how to come up with a business name, seeking inspiration is the first place to start! Here are just a few ways to find inspiration:

• Explore keywords. Twinword has an awesome free keyword tool that can help you find inspiration for your name. If you type a keyword related to your business into its search field, it’ll give you a graph of all of the other words related to it. Fire away!
• Consult books. Use a hard copy of a dictionary for inspiration, or even one of your favorite novels. Flip through the pages and write down words that resonate with you, even if they’re not directly related to your business.
• Look to the past. Nike draws its name from Greek mythology. So does Hermes. Dig into your culture, ancestral lineage, or mythology you find compelling to source unique names.
• Use AI. ChatGPT can definitely give you some cringe-worthy suggestions, but if you give it a prompt with a decent amount of context, it can send you down some interesting brainstorming paths. It can also help you quickly see what you don’t like.

Here’s a prompt to try:

I want to you to help me come up with some name ideas for my small business, but first I’m going to share some background:

1. Market: [What industry are you entering?]
2. Location: [Where is your business located?]
3. Your Name: [Name(s) or initials]
4. Category: [What specific product or category within your market are you targeting?
5. Values: [What core values or messages do you want your name to conveyn]
6. Audience: [Who is your target audience?]

Now, using the inputs above, brainstorm 10-20 business names that capture the essence of [market] in [location]. Incorporate [your name] and focus on [category] while ensuring the names reflect [values] and appeal to [audience].

To make it real, let’s see this prompt in action:

I want to you to help me come up with some name ideas for my small business, but first I’m going to share some background:

Market: Dog training

Location: Victoria, B.C.

Your Name: Jane

Category: Positive reinforcement / force free

Values: Kindness, empathy, support

Audience: Dog owners with behavioural issues or new puppy owners

Now: Using the inputs above, brainstorm 10-20 business names that capture the essence of [market] in [location]. Incorporate [your name] and focus on [category] while ensuring the names reflect [values] and appeal to [audience].

Based on what it suggests, you can continue to play feedback on what you’d like to see more or less of to help further the brainstorming process.

3. Consider using your own name

Your name may not feel like the sparkiest approach to ideating a business name. Jane’s Cakes hardly packs a punch. But there are lots of good reasons so many businesses are named after their owners (no, it’s not just vanity). 

Many business owners go this route when they feel their name embodies the spirit of their venture. It can also make your business feel more personal and approachable. Jane’s Cakes might look dull on the surface. But suppose Jane is standing behind the counter every day, baking with love and building relationships within her community. In that case, that name becomes a powerful but humble signifier of what her business is all about, charming in its simplicity. 

Bonus perk: Using your own name can simplify the trademark registration process.

4. Use wordplay

Another way to achieve originality is with some deliciously fun wordplay. Have a look at these examples of companies with clever titles and think about what you could come up with for your brand identity. It’s a good idea starter!

Read below for more ideas on using wordplay to create a unique brand name.

5. … Or play with spelling

As an alternative to wordplay, consider playing with your spelling. Think of brand like Lyft, or a local drapery and sewing company called Hemme. (Pro-tip: This can also be a creative way of securing a url for a word that is otherwise unavailable.)

Don’t be afraid to get creative! Play around with the spelling of words to come up with creative business names. This can add a twist of originality to your brand and make it easier to stand out. Remember, good business names often grab attention by being both familiar and fresh.

6. Consider your business offering

If you’re a service-based business, having your service offering in the name can be helpful as a suffix. While this might seem a little boring, it can really help your market understand what you’re all about. Including the service directly in your name can instantly communicate what you do to potential clients.

For example, names like Scaling Upward Design or Eco-Chic Cleaning clearly indicate the primary service provided.

This clarity helps prospective customers quickly understand your offerings, which is especially valuable in crowded markets when you’re a relative newcomer.

7. Consider the emotional impact you want to have

Think about the feelings and emotions your business name idea evokes. Do you want your potential customers to feel excited, relaxed, or inspired? A great business name can resonate emotionally and create long-term brand recognition. 

As a business owner, how do you want your brand to make people feel? Sometimes you can take a cue from an emotion. For example, Hey Happy is an instantly sunny name for a coffe shop, whereas Calm communicates what this meditation app is really selling.

Some guardrails to consider when brainstorming a business name…

Okay, we’ve given you lots of different ways to brainstorm a business name. But it’s also worth putting some guardrails in place so you don’t end up with too whacky a business name (unless whacky is really what you’re going for.) As you start to narrow down your shortlist, here are some things to keep in mind:

Keep your business name simple

So, at this point, it’s also important to remind yourself that simple is often best.

A business name shouldn’t be a chaotic mashup of words trying to accomplish too many things. You probably shouldn’t try to cram your pet’s name, favourite color, location and service all into one name, no matter how meaningful they all are to you. It needs to feel good and evoke positive emotions and associations in you and your future customers.

Aim for easy spelling. Simple brand names are easier to spell—a huge plus when relying on online customers to remember your business and look you up or refer you! 

Do some additional brainstorming activities with our FREE downloadable business names worksheet!

Make it user-friendly

You have the first-round list of unique business name ideas—now what? Even if it’s a made-up word, it’s important to choose a name that’s easy to say, spell, and type into Google.

Choosing a business name that helps people find you quickly can put you ahead of the game. And remember: If customers can’t find you, they’ll end up finding someone else!

Impose creative constraints

As you get deeper into brainstorming, limit yourself to names with only one word or two syllables — it’ll help you focus on coming up with punchier name ideas. Other constraints to try? Coming up with only alliterative names (hello, Squarespace and PayPal), or only ones that begin with verbs (e.g. Dropbox, Shopify).

Make it future-proof

One thing you don’t want to do is create a business name that sabotages your future expansion plans or limits your reach.

Let’s say, for instance, that your company makes women’s shoes, but you think you’ll eventually try to crack the male market. Having a name like Goddess Heels by Fiona wouldn’t be helpful as your business grows.

One way to future-proof your business name (and get out of the singular “this is the product we make or thing we offer” headspace) is to think about your company’s story, values, and key differentiators as you brainstorm.

Once you have a shortlist of business names you like…

Hopefully, by now you’re down to a shortlist of under ten or so business names that you really like. At this stage, it can really get hard: You may be carrying a bias in favor of certain options that you li

ked right from the get-go. Or you may have a recency bias in favor of some of the later options that now feel fresh.

Here are some useful steps to further narrow down the field of options:

Do some market research

Before finalizing your business name, it’s crucial to do some market research. Understanding your competitors and their choices can help ensure your brand stands out while resonating with your target market. Surveying the competition will give you insight into naming trends within your industry.

For example, if your competitors are all using playful puns, you might consider going in another direction to stand out. On the flip side, if they all have more straightforward names like “Bob’s Landscaping,” choosing a more captivating business name with a clever pun could set your brand apart and make it more memorable to potential customers.

Don’t hesitate to talk to customers directly or run informal surveys to see what kinds of names resonate with them. This research can help you pinpoint a name that not only reflects your brand but also enhances your business’s identity.

Check practical things like domain availability

Before you settle on your desired business name, make sure the domain name is available. It’s frustrating to land on a name only to find out someone else already owns the domain. 

Even if you don’t operate your business online, (e.g. e-Commerce) you’ll want an online presence of some kind for marketing purposes. Once you’ve secured a domain, you can also check out the availability of social handles on various platforms.

While social handles can be tweaked in some ways, it’s ideal to tweak them all consistently. For example, the name of this shop is Mjolk, but its social handles are consistently “mjolkshop.”

You’ll also want to ensure it’s easy to register your business name (more on that below).

Test the names in different mediums

To see how your business name ideas look and sound, put them into a logo design, say them out loud in a conversation (or to yourself in the mirror), and draft them in an email signature. Making your ideas feel real will help you determine if they connect!

Get feedback

Ask a few trusted friends or family members to weigh in on your name ideas. If you say a name and they immediately look confused or barrage you with questions, you may want to rethink its user-friendliness.

Test for language translation and localization

The last thing you want is to name your business something that translates poorly in another language. Do a quick Google search to make sure you aren’t naming your brand after a body part or something crude, or just a wholly unintended meaning.

Make sure you LOVE it

It goes without saying that you have to love your new business name and feel confident about putting it out into the world.

That’s why we recommend brainstorming plenty of ideas and taking the time to mull them over before settling on a winner — don’t expect overnight success!

The last thing to remember: Companies rebrand all the time, but doing so costs time and money. Try your best to get the name right on the first attempt to ensure your business is off to a great start.

Final steps: Now you’ve landed on a great business name….

Now you’ve got a great name, you may think ‘job done!’ but unfortunately you’re not finished yet. 

Make sure you’re following the naming rules for your business structure

Choosing the right legal structure for a business has a lasting impact on its name and branding, influencing how the business is perceived by customers, vendors, and investors. Here’s an overview of some of the different kinds of business structure and the name requirements they carry.

1. Sole Proprietorship

A business owned and run by one individual, with no legal distinction between the owner and the business.

• The business name is typically the owner’s name by default (e.g., Jane Doe), unless a “Doing Business As” (DBA) or trade name is registered
• Flexibility to choose a custom name, but it must be registered as a DBA if different from the owner’s name
• No legal suffix (e.g., LLC, Inc.)

2. Partnership

A business owned by two or more people who share responsibility for its operation. 

• The name could be the surnames of the partners (e.g., Smith & Johnson), or a DBA can be used for a more creative or marketable name
• No need for legal suffixes like LLC or Inc., but it must follow state/local naming rules for DBAs

3. Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A business structure that offers personal liability protection while allowing flexible management and tax options.

• Legally required to include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” in the business name (e.g., Creative Solutions LLC)
• Some states restrict certain words in the name, like “Bank” or “Insurance,” to avoid misleading the public
• The “LLC” suffix signals to customers, vendors, and partners that the business is a legally recognized entity with limited liability protection

4. Corporation (Inc. or Corp.)

A more complex legal structure where the business is a separate legal entity from its owners, offering strong liability protection.

• Must include “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Corp.,” or “Inc.” in the name (e.g., Tech Innovators Inc.)
• Strong branding and reputation benefits as many consumers associate “Inc.” with a larger, more established business
• Like LLCs, corporations face restrictions on using certain words, depending on state laws

Register your business name

After selecting the desired business name, the next essential step is to register it with the appropriate authorities. Registering your business name not only protects it legally but also ensures that no other business entity can use the same name within your jurisdiction or industry.

For detailed guidance on registering your name, including how to safeguard it as a trademark or service mark, refer to the SBA’s Business Name Registration Guide. This guide will help you secure your name as you establish your business entity and set the stage for future business growth.

What makes a good business name?

There are a few key elements to a really catchy business name.

• Evokes a feeling: Pottery Barn conveys a curation of rustic furniture through its name alone. Try to create a feeling through the use of imaginative and highly visual words.
• Sounds good: A good business name has a ring to it. Some names mix constants and vowels like Aritzia while others use rhythm to create a sense of flow like Flora and Fauna. Before finalizing your brand name, say it out loud and use it in conversation and listen to how it rolls off the tongue. Aim for under 5 syllables if you can!
• Speaks to your audience: A strong company name will resonate with its market. If you own a tech company, you might want to play off of words in your industry. BitBucket, 1Password, and CodeCov are all great examples of this.
• Memorable: In the world of infinite scrolling, you can have a memorable product or flashy ad, but it won’t help your customer if they can’t remember your brand name when they try to look you up later. What makes a business name memorable? It has rhythm or repetition, it’s a little abstract or quirky, it’s not too long, and of course— it looks good in a logo

6 Types of business names to choose from

Somewhere in your brainstorming and researching, you’ll need to choose the type of business name you’re after. Selecting one of these top six is a great place to start.

1. Acronyms & abbreviations

A popular choice for brands that want a short, crisp business name.  Fun fact! IKEA is actually an acronym that combines the initials of the founder, Ingvar Kamprad, with the letters of the farm and village he grew up in, Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd.

In 1963, CVS was founded as “Consumer Value Store” and was later abbreviated. When brainstorming, look for some obvious names and words either about you or your product/service and see if they form any interesting acronyms.

Examples of acronym business names:

• AT&T– American Telephone and Telegraph Company
• BMW– Bavarian Motor Works
• GEICO – Government Employees Insurance Company
• IBM – International Business Machines
• MAC – Make-up Art Cosmetics

2. Real people’s names

What better way to honor the person doing all the work behind the scenes than naming your company after yourself!

Using your name or a family name as your business name is a classic choice and certainly has longstanding power. Think of McDonald’s or renowned design company Herman Miller.

Using your name as a business name is a great option for consultants and contractors. But it has its cons as well. Doing this insists that you are the face of your brand at least for the first few years while getting started. It might also limit how you expand your business down the road.

Examples of businesses named after people:

• Air Jordan– Michael Jordan
• Addidas– Adi Dassler
• CLIFF Bar- Clifford Erickson
• Dyson– James Dyson
• Taco Bell– Glen Bell

3. Matter of fact

A company name that goes the obvious route of addressing the business’ purpose creates immediate clarity. With a name like Village Juicery, Whole Foods, or Car2Go, it’s hard to miss what these companies offer to their consumers.

This is a great option for entrepreneurs who aim for simplicity when naming their business. And while they’re not exactly the most exciting or eye-catching, their staying power is undeniable.

Examples of business names that tell you about the business:

• DoorDash
• Dunkin Donuts
• Pizza Hut
• Entrepreneur
• The Shoe Company

4. Compounds

Create your own compound word by merging two words you love together! The company name Panera is actually a compound of the words “pan” (meaning bread) and “era” (meaning age or time). Put them together and you’ve got “age of bread”.

Examples of compound business names:

• FroYo
• Airbnb
• Wework
• Coinbase
• Paypal

5. Made up word

Making up words is for big imaginations, but some of the biggest businesses out there are completely made-up words. Think Haagen-Dazs means something in Dutch? Think again. The American founders wanted to convey a worldly, artisanal feeling with their product.

Making up a word provides you the opportunity to create a fun and out-of-the-box business name that is both memorable and unique. Consider your audience when making up a word for your business name. You want it to sound like something they’d be intrigued by and opt to learn more about.

Examples of unique company names using made up words:

• Expedia
• Verizon
• Kodak
• Skype
• Etsy

6. Misspelled or missing vowels

While catchy looking and unconventional, misspelling or removing vowels from words to create a business name can come with its flaws. Removing vowels can make it harder to read and pronounce your business name.

We dare you to try and pronounce BHLDN, a popular wedding attire brand (it’s “beholden” btw).

If you opt for this route, we suggest you work with a really simple, obvious business name like Lyft, or Flikr.

Examples of catchy business names that are intentionally misspelled or missing a vowel:

• MNDFL
• Xero
• Tumblr
• Reddit
• Cheez It

Creative business name examples

Looking for inspiration? We’ve pulled a list of creative business names all made by our Business Name Generator. Feel free to use these as inspiration for your own business name ideas!

Creative restaurant business names

1. Flame On
2. Bistroway
3. Barline
4. Tapres
5. Pavilion & Pour

Creative consulting business names

1. Oaks Consulting
2. Living Vitality
3. Editorable
4. Repenned
5. SnapAdvisr

Creative Youtube channel names

1. Videoser
2. Arcosmetics
3. Bellsunshine
4. ShotTrack
5. Gamofi

Creative construction business names

1. Forge Tradition
2. CustomWell
3. Forge & Form
4. Clearbuild
5. Arform

Creative beauty business names

1. Beautifa
2. Aestheticio
3. Maskora
4. Pose Aesthetics
5. Rosly 

Creative fashion business names

1. LinenFox
2. Mist & Cloth
3. Varine
4. Grgus
5. Pyurpetal 

Creative photography business names

1. Snap Momento
2. Picturesist
3. Residing Life Photography
4. 9Lives Photography
5. Until Tomorrow Photography

A great way to generate a company name

Coming up with great business name ideas can take up a surprising amount of your time. It’s annoying to get stuck at the first step of building your business, which is why using a free business name generator can be helpful.

A preview of Looka’s Business Name Generator in action

Looka’s Business Name Generator comes up with tons of business name ideas in seconds — then lets you check the domain availability, social handles, and preview the name in a logo without having to leave the page. 

Skeptical? We get it—you’re picky! Which is why we generate business name ideas in a variety of ways, including invented names, compound words, and traditional names related to your industry. You can filter results by name length (character count) and get ideas for related terms right under the search bar. It’s completely free and will save you so much time. 

Wrapping up: Finding “the one” can take time

At the end of the day, there’s no magic formula for crafting the perfect business name. It’s a process of trial and error, exploring different angles, and finding what feels right. By trying out a variety of approaches—whether that’s reflecting your service offering, playing with creative combinations, or focusing on your unique story—you’ll create a pool of ideas to work with. From there, you can start honing in on “the one” that clicks.

But it’s worth it: Choosing a name that reflects your business offering is particularly important for service-based businesses. It enhances clarity, boosts marketing efforts, improves searchability, and builds a professional image. The key is to think carefully about how your service is represented in your name so that it resonates with your audience and positions you effectively in the marketplace.

And while creativity is important, don’t forget the practical steps—like making sure the name meets legal requirements and that the domain is available. In the end, the goal is to choose a name that expresses what’s special about your business and offering, while connecting with the people you want to reach.

More FAQs

How do I decide on a business name?

When choosing a business name, focus on your business’s identity, values, and long-term vision. Choose a name that resonates with your target market and reflects your unique offerings.

How do you come up with a company name?

Start by thinking about your industry, your goals for business growth, and how you’d like to name a business that will attract customers and investors alike. Also, don’t forget practical steps, like domain availability and the registration process.

What are good names for small businesses?

A catchy business name that is easy to remember and spell works best. Keep it simple yet meaningful to build a strong connection with your customers.

How to check if a brand name is taken?

You can perform a basic search through the internet, check domain registrars, or use a legal service to verify if the name is protected by a trademark or service mark.

p.s. Want to know more about building a brand? Check out our brand identity guide!