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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
01:09 types of names
01:53 Naming Strategy 1: Descriptive
03:11 Naming Strategy 2: Phrases
05:39 Naming Strategy 3: Funny
08:17 Bad Name Examples
12:19 Good Name Examples
16:53 Tofu Name Examples
18:10 Hack your way to a novel name
20:25 Use AI for brainstorming
22:22 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.
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.
You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!
Spots are limited.
https://www.communityempire.co/
📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:
https://www.gregisenberg.com/
70,000+ people are already subscribed.
To improve your rankings your business on Google and using AI for SEO, sign up to
http://www.boringmarketing.com/
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:09 types of names
01:53 Naming Strategy 1: Descriptive
03:11 Naming Strategy 2: Phrases
05:39 Naming Strategy 3: Funny
08:17 Bad Name Examples
12:19 Good Name Examples
16:53 Tofu Name Examples
18:10 Hack your way to a novel name
20:25 Use AI for brainstorming
22:22 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.
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
🎯 To build your own portfolio businesses powered by community you might enjoy my membership.
You'll get my full course with all my secrets on building businesses, peer-groups to keep you accountable, business ideas every single month and more!
Spots are limited.
https://www.communityempire.co/
📬 Join my free newsletter to get weekly startup insights for free:
https://www.gregisenberg.com/
70,000+ people are already subscribed.
To improve your rankings your business on Google and using AI for SEO, sign up to
http://www.boringmarketing.com/
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
Creators & Guests
What is The Startup Ideas Podcast?
Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out.
For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas