22 Resources and Tips for Coming Up With a Business Name That Actually Works

22 Resources and Tips for Coming Up With a Business Name That Actually Works

You’ve spent late nights refining your business plan, tweaking your offer, and dissecting your competition with the precision of a strategist. The foundation is solid, the product is polished, and the vision is clear. But there's one essential piece still missing — the name that brings it all together.

Your business name isn’t just a label. It’s the first handshake with your audience, the anchor of your brand identity, and often the deciding factor in whether you get remembered or overlooked.

If you’re stuck in the name game, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. At Big Picture Strategies, we’ve curated 22 powerful resources and expert-backed tips to help you brainstorm, evaluate, and lock in a business name that aligns with your purpose and attracts the right audience from day one.

How to Come Up With Business Name Ideas: 22 Proven Tips and Resources

Staring at a blank page trying to name your business? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. The right name doesn’t just sound good; it resonates with your audience, aligns with your brand identity, and sets the tone for everything that follows.

Below are 22 proven strategies and curated tools to help you brainstorm, test, and finalize a name that doesn’t just exist—it sticks.

1. Prioritize Originality
   In a marketplace flooded with sameness, originality is your unfair advantage. The more unique your name, the more likely it is to stand out—and avoid legal conflicts. Skip anything that sounds like a clone of a competitor. Make room for something that feels fresh and unmistakably you.
2. Decide: Meaningful or Made-Up?
   Should your brand name mean something—or mean nothing at all?

Some of the world’s most powerful trademarks (like Kodak or Google) are completely arbitrary. Their uniqueness makes them easy to protect. But here’s the catch: arbitrary names require more marketing muscle to build recognition.

If you want instant clarity, consider a name with emotional or descriptive meaning. Think about your audience and how quickly you want them to “get” you.

3. Think Domains First
   You might fall in love with a name… until you find out the domain is gone. 😩

Before you shortlist anything, run a check on tools like Namechk to see if the domain — and social handles — are free.

Pro tip: Try to secure a .com version if possible — it’s still seen as the most credible TLD. This makes your name not just memorable, but clickable too.

4. Ask for Real-World Feedback
   Naming in a vacuum rarely ends well. Sometimes what sounds clever to you might sound confusing (or even cringey) to others.

👉 Get input from friends, family, or trusted mentors.
👉 Want broader validation? Post a poll on LinkedIn or use subreddits like r/SampleSize to get unfiltered feedback.

At Big Picture Strategies, we even recommend testing potential names in mock branding visuals to see how they feel in action.

5. Cross-Check Social Media Handles
   Your business name should be as searchable on Instagram as it is on Google.

Before you commit, check availability across key platforms — Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and X (Twitter).

⚠️ If your name is taken by an established account in a similar niche, it’s best to rethink. Social media visibility is too valuable to gamble on.

6. Make It Relevant and Memorable
   While abstract names can be cool, don’t underestimate the power of relevance.

A name that directly reflects your product or mission makes it easier for customers to remember, especially early on.

For example: If you're launching a cleaning service, consider names with words like “sparkle,” “sani,” or “spotless.” These terms anchor your brand in clarity and intent.

7. Visualize Your Name as a Logo
   Your brand isn’t just something people read — it’s something they see and remember.

Think about how your business name will visually pair with your logo. Will it translate well into design? Can it be bold, recognizable, and scalable? If you’re building a brand where the wordmark becomes the logo (like Google or Coca-Cola), this step is crucial.

Also, visualize how different name options look when paired with your brand colors and fonts. Consistency across visual identity is the secret sauce of standout branding.

8. Use Synonyms to Spark Creativity
   Feeling stuck in a naming rut? Tap into the power of language.

Tools like WordHippo, Visual Thesaurus, and Thesaurus.com can unlock unexpected name possibilities. Start with a basic keyword related to your business, and explore alternate words, creative phrasing, and metaphorical connections.

You might stumble across a word that captures your brand essence perfectly — something fresh, on-brand, and unexpected.

9. Run an SEO-Friendly Keyword Check
   Want your business name to attract organic traffic from the start? Use SEO tools like Google Trends, Ubersuggest, Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator, or AnswerThePublic to get insights into how your name (or variations of it) performs online.

You’ll get a pulse on what people are actually searching for — and which names might already have traction or competition. It’s a clever way to pick a name that’s not just creative, but also strategic.

10. Do a Trademark Search Early
    Naming your business without checking trademark availability is like building a house on someone else’s land.

Before finalizing anything, search the USPTO database to make sure your chosen name isn’t already claimed. This saves you from potential legal trouble — and the cost of rebranding down the road.

Not ready to DIY? Services like Bizee also offer trademark research and filing support for added peace of mind.

11. Check Your Secretary of State’s Business Registry
    Every state has its own business name registry — and it’s a step you shouldn’t skip.

Visit your Secretary of State's website and use the business entity search tool (if available). This helps you confirm whether another company already operates under your desired name in your state.

And yes, some states do charge per name search, so be strategic with your queries. Tools like Bizee’s business name lookup can also make the process easier.

12. Keep It Easy to Spell and Say
    Here’s a golden rule: If people can’t spell it, they can’t search for it.

Names that are too clever, ambiguous, or oddly spelled often get butchered in Google searches — and that means lost traffic, lost attention, and lost customers.

Aim for a name that’s phonetic, intuitive, and as easy to spell as it is to remember. Simplicity often wins over sophistication when it comes to discoverability.

13. Prioritize Easy Pronunciation
    If people can’t say your business name, they probably won’t share it.

Clunky, awkward, or overly complex names are a recipe for missed word-of-mouth marketing. To avoid this, say your potential name out loud. Ask yourself:

• Is it easy to pronounce clearly?
  
  
• Does it sound similar to anything inappropriate?
  
  
• Could it be misheard in conversation?
  
  

Keep it smooth, clear, and audibly brandable because every spoken mention is a free advertisement.

14. Think Bigger — Plan for Growth
    While you may start small, your brand name shouldn’t box you in.

Let’s say you call your service "Clark County Cleaners." Sounds specific? It is — and it could be limiting when you expand beyond that region.

Instead, aim for scalable, flexible branding. You can always niche down your messaging, but your name should allow for upward momentum and market growth.

15. Keep It Short and Snappy
    Ever noticed how iconic brands like Nike, Etsy, and Target roll off the tongue? That’s no accident.

The best business names are succinct — one to three words max. They’re easy to say, quick to recall, and optimized for memorability. Long names are hard to type, harder to fit in a logo, and even harder to remember.

✨ Rule of thumb: If someone needs to take a breath to finish saying your business name, it’s probably too long.

16. Don’t Settle for “Good Enough”
    You’ll be living with this name every day — introducing it, marketing it, building your legacy around it. If it doesn’t feel exactly right, don’t force it.

Naming your business is as much about alignment as it is about creativity. Give yourself time. Play. Explore. Trust your gut. The right name should feel like an extension of your vision — something you’re genuinely excited to promote, print, and scale.

17. Use Bizee’s Free Business Name Generator
    Need a little nudge to get the creative juices flowing? Tools like Bizee’s Business Name Generator can give you fresh inspiration.

Just enter your main keyword and the AI will generate a batch of unique, brandable ideas — often with styling previews like fonts, colors, and logos included. A great starting point if you’re stuck between concepts.

18. Mix Words with Portmanteaus
    For quirky, creative, and completely unique names, try using WordMerge to build clever portmanteaus (word mashups).

Example: Enter “cupcake” and you might get “cupcacorn” (cupcake + unicorn) or “buttercupcake.” The results may be playful, unexpected, and the exact spark you need to find your brand's voice.

19. Invent Your Own Word with AI Tools
    Some of the most successful global brands — Xerox, Wayfair, Verizon — don’t use real words. They made their own.

If you want something truly one-of-a-kind, use a Fake Word Generator. You can define parameters like word length, language roots, and even style. It’s a great hack for developing a new, trademark-friendly word that feels authentic to your brand.

20. Use Rhyming to Boost Recall
    Rhyme has rhythm, and rhythm sticks. Brands like Reese’s Pieces, Five Guys, and Mello Yello are easy to remember because they sound good.

Try using tools like Rhymer or Rhyme Finder to play with variations on your core keywords. Just remember — it should sound catchy and fun, not overly childish (unless that’s your brand vibe).

21. Prepend and Append for Creative Variations
    Tools like Naminum let you take one keyword and automatically generate dozens of creative variations by adding prefixes and suffixes.

For example, type in “blue” and get options like Bluedex, Enablue, or Blueoryx — all with domain availability checks built in. It’s an easy way to evolve a base concept into something original and brand-worthy.

22. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Punny
    Humor builds instant connection. If it fits your brand tone, a clever pun can make your business name wildly memorable.

Tools like the Pun Generator offer hilarious and creative options like:

• “The Cluck Stops Here” (fried chicken joint)
  
  
• “Pane in the Glass” (window cleaning service)
  
  
• “The Hen Commandments” (poultry-based restaurant)
  
  

Even if the results don’t become your final name, they can trigger the creative breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

Shakespeare might’ve said, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but when it comes to business, your name absolutely matters.

The right name doesn’t just sound good — it builds credibility, boosts brand recall, and can even influence sales performance. Whether you go with something completely original, deeply meaningful, or a blend of both, one thing’s for sure: naming is a strategic move, not just a creative one.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Business Name?
At Big Picture Strategies, we help entrepreneurs build brands that are strategic, scalable, and unforgettable — starting with the name. Whether you're launching your first venture or rebranding for growth, our tools, coaching, and brand clarity frameworks will help you name with purpose and confidence.

👉 Want help naming your business the right way?
Explore our 1:1 Brand Strategy Sessions with Katie or check out our online course for step-by-step guidance.