Discover your iconic brand name

Nike, Netflix, Amazon, and Red Bull. All iconic brand names, right? They did not start out like that. It took ages before those names became iconic.

That aside, we can learn from it. How did the founders of these brands come up with these brand names? What process did they use to select a memorable name that can stand the test of time?

Your brand name is an important asset that can help you stand out from the competition and make a lasting impression on your customers. It’s not just about creating a catchy name for your business; it’s about making a statement and creating an identity that people can relate to. By creating an iconic brand name, you can create a unique identity that will set you apart from the rest.

For business owners choosing the right brand name is critical. How can you come up with the perfect brand name for your company? It’s one of the things (new) business owners get stuck on.
Are you ready to get some answers?

The right name will make the difference

I have worked with a lot of brands over the years, and coached entrepreneurs on how to find great brand names. Having a strong brand name can have many benefits for your business. It can help you stand out from the competition, create an identity, and build trust with your customers. But discovering a good, memorable name is not that easy:

“New business owners see the success of big brands like Uber, Google, and Apple, and believe that a creative name will lead to great success, this is a big mistake. The truth is, a name is only one part of a great business. But it’s far from the biggest part. In fact, many iconic brand names only became memorable after people experienced an incredible product or service.” – Gretta von Rhiel

So excellent customer experience is key. People just link the name to the service. And over time it builds to a great name.

And don’t forget. There are quite a few brands that have changed their brand name over time. Google’s first name was BackRub, Pepsi was Brad’s Drink, and Instagram was Burbn.

So, what’s in a name?

Creating an iconic brand name can be a challenge, but there are a few tips that can help you create a name that stands out and makes a lasting impression. And basically, you can choose whatever you want. There are almost no rules. That said, hereby my I do have some tips for you to push you in the right direction.

Spark interest
A good brand name sparks interest. For example, Purple is a mattress company. You instantly ask yourself why? The brand name triggers you to find out more about the company.
This is want you want your brand name to trigger.

Make it sticky!
A hard-to-remember brand name can damage your business. It makes it much more difficult for people to find you on social media, your website and more. So, please choose a brand name that is easy to remember. Simple and short does the trick. Think Apple, Uber, and Target.

Distinct
Stay away of generic brand names. How many Pizza places do you think exist in the world? Probably thousands. On the other hand, there is only one Dominoes
. A generic name might work for a local company, e.g. the ‘town name’ pizza company. Super local, unscalable. And what if a competitor starts using the town name in its company as well?

Does it make sense? When you decide the name for your brand, make sure it is relevant to what your business does. If you’re not relevant you just confuse people with your name.

Flexible
There should be room to grow. It should not only reflect what you are currently doing, but does it give you space to add other services and products in the future. You don’t want a name that limits you.

A name doesn’t have to say it all Your brand name doesn’t have to do it all. You can’t tell an entire company’s story in just one or two words. That is ridiculous. It should either trigger interest or the previous customer experience of the brand.

So, to sum up, a good brand name: