Picking a username, project/brand name or domain? Here are memorable, registrable, shareable naming principles and steps, with online generator and logo tips.
Four marks of a good name
- Memorable & sayable: short, easy to pronounce, no obscure spelling;
- Evocative: hints at your positioning or mood;
- Available: domain and key handles can still be grabbed;
- Extensible: not boxed into one category you can't grow out of.
Common coinage patterns
Compounds (Netflix-style), portmanteaus (blend two words), invented names (Kodak), metaphors (animals/myth), and affixes (-ify / -io / get-). Brainstorm broadly, then cut fast with the four criteria.
Availability & conflicts
Before committing, check the domain, trademarks, same-name social handles, and any awkward meanings (including other languages). Say it aloud to a few friends — can they remember and spell it on the first try?