How to Create a Brand Name That Actually Feels Right
“Does this name feel like me?”
That’s the question most people forget to ask when building a brand.
We search for names that sound professional, clever, or available on Instagram, but in the process, we forget the most important part:
Your brand name has to feel like home, for you and your audience.
✨ Step Into the Brand Naming Mindset
Choosing a name isn’t just a creative decision—it’s a branding foundation.
It’s your first impression. Your introduction. Your invitation.
But if you’ve been stuck Googling “cool brand name ideas,” here’s your permission to stop and start from within instead.
Try this:
What are 3 words you want people to feel when they hear your brand name?
What type of energy or vibe does your brand carry—calm? Bold? Luxury? Playful?
What’s your brand’s origin story? Is there a word from that story you’ve overlooked?
You’re not just naming a brand. You’re naming a vision.
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🖊️ Journaling Prompt:
“When someone hears my brand name, what do I want them to assume about me—before they’ve ever met me?”
Real-World Inspiration: How Others Did It
Sometimes we find clarity in the stories of others. Consider:
Glossier – born from the blog “Into The Gloss.” It sounded like gloss, glamour, and glow.
Notion – a flexible, idea-based word that captures creativity and structure in one.
August – a period product company that chose a name symbolizing dignity and power.
Their names weren’t just “cool.”
They meant something to the people behind them.
The Creative Naming Toolkit
Here are tools and techniques to try if you’re still stuck:
Word Webbing: Write down your values, vibe, and words you love. Connect them like a mind map. Something will pop.
Foreign Languages: Look up words in Swahili, Latin, French, or your native tongue that reflect your brand’s story.
Root Words: Explore prefixes or suffixes that feel meaningful.
Name Generators: Tools like Namelix, Shopify Name Generator, or Panabee can spark ideas (just don’t rely on them too heavily).
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Naming should feel like alignment, not frustration. A few red flags:
Don’t copy what’s trending (if 10 brands sound like “____ly,” maybe skip it)
Don’t pick a name you don’t feel confident saying out loud
Don’t skip checking domain and Instagram availability
🌱 Final Reflection: The Right Name Will Feel Like Yours
There’s no perfect formula. But the right name will feel right.
It won’t try too hard. It won’t feel like someone else’s brand.
And when you say it out loud, you’ll smile just a little, because you’ll know:
“This is mine.”
Need help naming your brand, or building your brand story around it?
We offer:
✅ Brand Clarity Sessions
✅ Creative Direction & Naming Brainstorm Calls
✅ Done-for-you Brand Identity Packages
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