Consider What You Like Best: Company Names that Speak to You
The best company names are the ones that stand out, strike a chord, and become immediately etched into people’s minds. The most important thing is to be original. There are enough generic company names out there — the last thing the world needs is another Smith Consulting, Los Angeles Imports or B&V Advertising.
Don’t shy away from controversy.
Unless you’re selling church robes, you shouldn’t be afraid of a little controversy. In fact, it can quite often work to your advantage. Some of the best company names are the ones that push the envelope. Think FCUK, Hooters and Bitchin’ Kitchen. Sure, some people will complain and even protest, but names like these attract a lot of attention and interest, and their edginess is extremely appealing to millions of consumers.
Weird is an asset.
A lot of people say that they want an original name, “as long as it’s not too weird.” Forget that. Weird is good. Look at Google, for crying out loud. It’s not exactly a mellifluous word, and the majority of Americans don’t even know what a “googol” actually is (fun fact: it’s a 1 with a hundred zeros after it). At one time, people scratched their heads at this odd-sounding name, but now the name Google is synonymous with web search and has entered the vernacular as one of our most commonly used verbs. Who’s laughing now?
Who cares if they don’t get it?
Here’s another trend we see among some of the best company names. They’ll use catchy words with hidden or underlying meanings. If you spark people’s curiosity with a clever name, it doesn’t matter if the meaning is immediately clear. The key is to be original and to get people’s attention. At some point down the road, they might stumble upon the original meaning—or they might seek out that information for themselves—and find themselves marveling at the cleverness of your etymology.
Have a company of your own?
If you’re looking to join the ranks of companies who have established themselves with memorable names, we can help. At A Hundred Monkeys, we have helped some of the biggest companies in the world with creating a name. We can do the same for you. Contact us today and let us know how we can serve you. Let’s come up with a name that can change the world.
