Brainstorming Brandable Names

A brandable name doesn’t describe what your product does. Instead, it’s a name you can instill your own meaning into — or one that already has a meaning, just not a literal description of your product. That’s what makes brandable names powerful, and also what makes them harder to brainstorm. You can’t just list industry keywords. You need a different approach.

Start with a feeling

Think about the vibe you want your brand to project. Not what your product does, but how it should feel. Playful or serious? Elegant or scrappy? Accessible or exclusive? Technical or approachable?

One of my favorite examples is homerun.co — a hiring platform for small businesses. A sports term for a hiring tool sounds odd at first. But think about it: when you finally find the right person for the job, it does feel like hitting a home run. That one word captures the feeling of a great hire better than any hiring-related term ever could.

To try this yourself, write down what you want people to feel when they encounter your brand. Then brainstorm words, metaphors, and phrases that evoke those same feelings. You’re looking for something that resonates, even if it has nothing to do with your industry on the surface.