Picking the right brand name is very important and can have a huge impact on your business. Usually, customers associate a brand name with the value it provides them. If you need to pick a brand name for your product, service, or business, you’re in the right place.
Overview
Choose a Brand Name for Your Business in India – A great brand name is not just something that looks cool or is fun to say. The channel Sci-Fi tried doing that by pick a brand name to SyFy. Turned out that it was slang used to denote the sexually transmitted disease syphilis!
So, let us make sure you don’t make such slips while naming your brand.
- What is a brand name?
- How to choose the right brand name
- How to choose a brand name for clothing
- How to choose a brand name for food products
- How to choose a brand name for cosmetics/skincare products
- How to pick a company name
What is a Brand Name?
A brand name is a trading name chosen by a manufacturer or a business for the range of products or services he/she is selling.
Choose a Brand Name or Creating a brand name means choosing words that don’t just announce what your business does, but helps in creating a mental image of your business for your customers. Moreover, pick a brand name is a feature that helps customers identify and differentiate one product from another.
For example when people see this:
They know it is from Apple because of its logo.
It is an investment that will last longer than almost any other investments you make into your business. Thus, picking the right brand name is very crucial.
How to Choose a Brand Name?
Choosing the right Brand name is part of a solid business strategy. Further, it is like creating a shortcut in your customer’s brain that will remind them of all the products and values your company stands for.
Deciding upon and picking the right brand name is very important while launching a new business. Further, the Choose a Brand Name that you pick has to be unique and identifiable with the service you provide your customers.
What Makes a Good Brand Name?
A good brand name should be memorable, unique, and reflective of your brand’s values, products, or services. Our renowned branding experts emphasize the importance of selecting a brand name that stands out and differentiates your business from competitors. According to our experts, a good brand name for your business should evoke positive emotions and create a strong connection with your target audience.
Different Types of Brand Names
- Descriptive Brand Names: These types of brand names describe the product/service. They convey the nature of the business.
- Founder Brand Names: Naming a brand after the founder falls under this category. A few examples of companies named after the founder are Disney, Tommy Hilfiger, McDonald’s, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co. Founder-based brand names are easily recognisable.
- Metaphor Names: These types of names are interesting to visualize and can tell a good story with the name. For example, Nike, Amazon, etc.
- Acronym Names: They are short-hand versions of a descriptive name. Likewise, they are difficult to remember. For example, KFC, IBM, etc.
Additionally, to help you understand the thought process behind finding the right name, let me illustrate the logic to be followed for 3 types of businesses.
You can check trademark availability with Vakilsearch’s free Trademark Search tool before registering a trademark.
How to Find the Right Brand Name?
- Brainstorming: Begin by brainstorming words, phrases, and concepts related to your business. Consider your target audience, industry, and brand personality. Think about the emotions you want your brand to evoke and jot down any relevant keywords.
- Keyword Research: Utilize tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or other online resources to explore popular keywords and phrases related to your industry. This research can provide valuable insights and inspiration for creating a unique brand name for your business.
- Mind Mapping: Create a visual mind map by placing your main business idea or concept in the center and branching out with related keywords. This exercise can help generate innovative and interconnected ideas for your brand name.
- Feedback and Testing: Once you have a shortlist of potential brand names for your business, seek feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, or even potential customers. Consider conducting surveys or focus groups to gauge their perceptions and preferences. Additionally, test the potential brand names for availability and trademark conflicts.
How to Choose a Brand Name for Clothing
Say I am opening a clothing store or business and have to pick a brand name for it. Hence, here are the questions I would ask myself.
- What type of clothes am I selling?
- Am I selling clothes for any particular occasion or usage? E.g.: sportswear or bridal.
- What is the price point for my products?
- Who are the target customers?
- Do I have a physical store or only an online store?
- What is the unique selling point of my clothes?
- What are the values of my brand? E.g.: Quality or zero-waste.
All these questions will give an overall picture of my clothing business based on which I can choose my name.
Take Manyavar for example, the name has a majestic feeling to it and in English it means nobility. Further, they sell expensive men’s festive wear. Moreover, there is good sync between the name and what they sell. Imagine if, with that name, they were to sell cheap loungewear!
How to Pick a Brand Name for Food Products
Let’s venture into the food industry now, shall we?
You should ask the following questions before naming a food brand.
- What type of food product am I selling?
- Is it a niche product?
- What is my price point?
- Who are my target customers?
- Where am I selling my product?
- What are the values of my brand?
- What is my unique selling point?
- What problem of my customer am I solving?
- What cuisine are my products based on?
Come up with choose a Brand Name that is in line with your answers to these questions. Anything too funky or disgusting will turn people away from your product.
How to Choose a Brand Name for Cosmetics/Skincare Products
Here is another interesting industry we can take a shot at.
Let’s look at the questions to consider before naming a cosmetic brand:
- What are the current beauty trends?
- What are the social values with regard to beauty?
- Who is my target audience?
- What is my goal as a brand?
- What are the values of my brand?
- What is the price point for my products?
- What is my unique selling point?
As a beauty brand, I should consider the changing dynamics of beauty in today’s world. There is a shift toward organic and chemical-free products. Cosmetics is no longer something that only women use. Further, all these have to be taken into account while choosing a brand name and image.
Some things are no longer tolerated in the beauty industry. For example, ‘Fair and Lovely’ was forced to change its name after 45 years because it’s no longer acceptable to say that beauty is related to being fair.
How to Complete Your Brand?
- Visual Identity: A strong brand name should be accompanied by a visually appealing logo and consistent design elements. Work with a skilled graphic designer to create a logo that aligns with your brand’s personality and resonates with your target audience.
- Brand Messaging: Develop a compelling brand story and key messages that effectively communicate your brand’s values, mission, and unique selling proposition. Craft a brand voice that aligns with your target audience and consistently use it across all communication channels.
- Brand Experience: Ensure that the customer experience aligns with your brand promise. Consistency in the quality of products or services, customer service, and overall brand experience is crucial for building trust and loyalty.
Method For Choosing A Brand Name
Zolvit experts suggest using the following method to choose a brand name for your business:
- Gather a list of potential brand names generated through brainstorming or keyword research.
- Evaluate the names based on their memorability, uniqueness, and alignment with your brand.
- Consider the emotional response and associations that each name evokes.
- Narrow down the list to a few top contenders and conduct a thorough availability check, including trademark searches and domain name availability.
Check if your brand name is available
Before finalizing a brand name for your business, it’s essential to conduct comprehensive checks to ensure its availability. Search for the chosen name on search engines, social media platforms, and trademark databases to identify any conflicts or existing uses. It’s crucial to secure the corresponding domain name to establish a consistent online presence. The most reliable website for checking if your business name is available can be found at this link.
Use a Business Name Generator
In your brand name exploration, consider leveraging online business name generators. These tools can provide inspiration and generate unique name ideas based on keywords or criteria you provide. However, remember to critically evaluate the suggestions and not solely rely on them for your final decision.
Difference Between Brand Names and Business Names
While often used interchangeably, there is a distinction between brand names and business names. A business name refers to the legal name of your company, whereas a brand name is a name that customers and the public associate with your products or services. The brand name is a vital part of your overall brand identity and plays a crucial role in shaping customer perceptions.
Things to Avoid in Brand Names
When selecting a brand name for your business, it’s important to avoid common pitfalls:
- Overly Complex or Confusing Names: Choose a name that is easy to pronounce, spell, and remember. Avoid using excessive jargon or acronyms that might confuse your audience.
- Generic Names: Steer clear of generic names that do not differentiate your brand from competitors. Aim for a unique and memorable name that evokes positive associations.
- Trademark and Copyright Infringement: Conduct thorough research to ensure your brand name is not already trademarked or copyrighted. Using a name that infringes on others’ intellectual property can lead to legal complications and brand reputation damage.
Conclusion
This should have given you a fair idea of how to choose a Brand Name. Remember, the name you choose is going to be used across different platforms like your website, social media handles, your products, etc. Make sure that it sounds good and more importantly doesn’t offend anyone!
FAQs
Can Your Business And Brand Name Be The Same?
Yes, your business and brand name can be the same. Many businesses choose to use their brand name as their business name for simplicity and consistency.
What is a Good Brand Name?
A good brand name for your business should be memorable, unique, relevant, and reflective of your brand's values. It should resonate with your target audience and be easily recognizable and distinguishable from competitors.
What are the 7 types of Brand Name?
The seven types of brand names are descriptive, suggestive, arbitrary, fanciful, coined, compound, and geographic. Each type has its own characteristics and implications.
What is an example of a Brand name for a Business?
Dior, Apple, Coca-Cola, and Amazon are examples of well-known brand names for businesses.
What is the top 10 Brand?
The top 10 brands can vary depending on various factors, but some consistently popular and influential brands include Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Toyota, McDonald's, Disney, and Facebook.
What is a Luxury Brand Name?
A luxury brand name represents high-quality, exclusive, and premium products or services. Examples of luxury brand names include Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, and Chanel.
What is a strong Brand Name?
A strong brand name is one that effectively communicates the brand's values, creates a positive perception, and resonates with the target audience. It is memorable, unique, and helps differentiate the brand from competitors.
