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How do you best determine a name for a company?

by PHearn
5 replies
Hey all.

I'm working to start a SaaS company, but I'm having difficulty deciding on a name. I want to go the brand-focused route; rather than having a name that describes the company, I want to do something similar to Nike or Uber. Unique, memorable, and something I can build my entire brand around.

However, I'm having trouble coming to a concrete decision on what to use. I have several ideas, but there are upsides and downsides to each of them. I am checking to see if they are trademarked.

A little bit of additional information: all of the capital will be provided on my own. I do reasonably well through ebook sales on Amazon, but now I'm looking to diversify my income and branch out. I work from home. I'm getting ready to move abroad (to Vietnam at first) and backpack around the world while still working on developing my company on the go. The software design will be outsourced.

I'm new around here, so I appreciate the help! Thanks.
#branding #business #company #determine #naming
  • Profile picture of the author kilgore
    You're going to start a SaaS company, outsourcing all the software development while you gallivant around the world getting drunk at youth hostels, combat traveler's diarrhea and take in the sights?

    Hmmmm... A few name suggestions come to mind, but I'm not sure how much you'd like them...
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    • Profile picture of the author PHearn
      Originally Posted by kilgore View Post

      You're going to start a SaaS company, outsourcing all the software development while you gallivant around the world getting drunk at youth hostels, combat traveler's diarrhea and take in the sights?

      Hmmmm... A few name suggestions come to mind, but I'm not sure how much you'd like them...
      That's exactly what I'm going to do! Well, minus the youth hostels and traveler's diarrhea. I'm actually going to live abroad to take advantage of exchange rates, so I'll be in each country for a few months at a time. I'll have steady connectivity. Anything is possible as long as you work hard enough at it, so I don't see why this wouldn't be.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fun to Write
    Keep in mind that the more "unique" your brand name is, the more effort it takes to educate your target audience about what you sell. Whatever name you choose, it should be memorable and easy to spell.

    Since, you don't have a ton of cash to spend on brand awareness, I suggest choosing a name that strongly relates to what your new company does for customers. Maybe a descriptive word or phrase.

    Coming up with names for things requires lots of brainstorming and thought, which is what you're doing. Maybe you'd get better advice if you select several names you like and ask people here which ones they like most. Others have done this to find a good name.
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    • Profile picture of the author PHearn
      Originally Posted by Fun to Write View Post

      Keep in mind that the more "unique" your brand name is, the more effort it takes to educate your target audience about what you sell. Whatever name you choose, it should be memorable and easy to spell.

      Since, you don't have a ton of cash to spend on brand awareness, I suggest choosing a name that strongly relates to what your new company does for customers. Maybe a descriptive word or phrase.

      Coming up with names for things requires lots of brainstorming and thought, which is what you're doing. Maybe you'd get better advice if you select several names you like and ask people here which ones they like most. Others have done this to find a good name.
      Thanks a lot! Yeah, I might just do that. I've got several listed out, but there are a few more I need to come up with. However, on the educational side of things, I'll be reaching out to my target audience directly through emails. Very little of the marketing will be through passive means, so I'm not as concerned on that front.
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  • Profile picture of the author EPoltrack77
    Maybe take out a sheet of paper and write all possible name ideas on it. Try to pick at least 20 names. Usually its that last name that is the breakthrough.

    Something catching and exciting not a boring traditional name like "Bens Work Shop"
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