The only startup naming guide you’ll ever need: my proven framework

In this episode, we dive deep into my process for naming my startups and businesses. I share my 4-step guide for coming up with memorable names for startups and how you can apply these principles to come up with your own scroll stopping name.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:57 3 types of names
01:41 Naming Strategy 1: Descriptive
02:58 Naming Strategy 2: Phrases
05:27 Naming Strategy 3: Funny
08:04 Bad Name Examples
12:07 Good Name Examples
16:40 Tofu Name Examples
17:57 Hack your way to a novel name
20:12 Use AI for brainstorming
22:10 Greg's personal name list

1) 3 types of names:
• Bad names
• Good names
• "Tofu" names (bland, forgettable)

2) 3 winning name strategies:
• Descriptive (e.g. @somewhereilive)
• Phrases (e.g. Boss Babe)
• Funny (e.g. You Probably Need a Haircut)

3) Bad name examples:
• WhatsApp (fails telephone test)
• GameStop (negative connotation)
• Google Bard (sounds like barf)

4) Good name examples:
• Perplexity (matches brand promise)
• Bump (action-oriented)
• Autopilot (clear value prop)

5) Hack your way to a novel name:
• Create "Name Game" note on your phone
• Jot down catchy words/phrases
• Check handle availability bi-weekly
• Test with friends/family
• Create logo mockups

6) Use AI for brainstorming:
• Prompt Claude: "I'm brainstorming names around [your topic]. What are some interesting, clear, direct names that speak to this community?"

7) Greg's personal name list sneak peek:
• AfterParty
• PrettyPerfect
• InvitationOnly
• InCred

8) Pro tip: It's okay to have bad names on your list. Keep refining!

9) Remember: A great name can be the difference between viral growth and crickets.

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FIND ME ON SOCIAL

[GregIsenberg]

PEOPLE ASKED ME HOW I NAME STARTUPS SO I MADE A TUTORIAL ON IT LIKE AND GIVE ME A COMMENT IF THIS WAS HELPFUL (or just say hi).. ALSO SUBSCRIBE IF YOU HAVENT

[firsthelix]

I'm a name guy as well and can spend days and weeks finding a fitting name for a venture! I get frustrated starting on a project with a name that doesn't put me on fire whenever I am working on it. And I agree that there are so many bad names out there lacking intelligent creativity. Thank you for bringing this up!

[chrislrios]

Gamestop goes hard. Borderline iconic name really.

[brianWreaves]

Cheers for this one! 🏆

Request: Please consider increasing the font size in browsers and documents. As it is, reading them is very difficult.

[nimblename]

Super insightful Greg!! Thanks for making the video!

I made a product to help with this process, I’ll definitely think about how to implement some of these strategies 😊 less tofu, more brisket

[garye]

Thanks for sharing your Brilliance Greg

[georgekrax]

We really needed something like this! 🙌

[KabirUpTalkk]

👑 i was just going through the "Going Viral - Name" section on CE. Opened YouTube after that and hello! Hahah

[sirvladislav]

Ah, right in time! We’re picking a name atm

[TheBlackManMythLegend]

I think Claude is a better name than perplexity. Because Claude sounds like a brand. Will be there for a long time like Louis Vuitton.

[georgekrax]

Would be interesting to go into details how you rebranded your agency, with customers opinion and so on...

[MrGurosa]

Cheers man.
Yeah I wondered about why you choose such long names.

[deanc]

Wow, I have been putting together resources and social content for a startup that I want to launch this month. I will probably have to go with a slightly funny but pretty tofu name that I thought of because I'm out of time.

[rockstar]

Based in Toronto and agree Othership is solid!

[maxeccles]

Pretty much obsessed with Greg right now - any chance to understand more about how he thinks is like catnip to me

*adds catnip to list of names*

[shannons]

This has always been the most difficult part. Not joking.

[rushrush-]

I assume Claude is named after Claude Shannon - the "father of information theory"

[BizMorning]

Can you share what you’re using to share your screen. It doesn’t look like zoom and I like the video to the left way better. Thanks in advance. 😊

[_taishi]

i don't know what app/service would be a good fit but: `afteryou` is something for me 🤔

[CollinRutherford]

You friends or colleagues might offer insights that can help you refine your choices or even suggest names you hadn’t considered.