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Naming Masterclass for Startups

Written by Anthony Shore

Village Global, a Silicon Valley VC firm, generously invited me to speak with startup founders about naming. With about 80 people attending, I addressed two broad topics:

(1) Is there a framework for generating names that are ORIGINAL, MEMORABLE, RELEVANT and AVAILABLE?
In which I discuss the necessary mindset (expectations, strategy) and toolset (software and techniques).

(2) Tell us about nomenclature and naming system best practices
In which I discuss the customer perspective, branded house vs house of brand strategies, the importance of good descriptors, and linguistically or thematically linked naming systems, among other topics.

Throughout the discussion, I answer questions about:

  • Naming for global audiences

  • Naming that signals a new category

  • Pros and cons of real words vs coined words

  • When should we change our name if it no longer fits

  • and other topics of interest to startup founders.

Links to my posts on relevant topics were shared with the founders. I’ve posted them below if you’d like to dive into a particular topic. Links within these posts may be 404, don’t dm me I know.

Real Words Make Better Brand Names
All posts tagged “memorable names”
Explore Concepts, not Words
Where are the Most Creative Names?
Creative Names the Easy Way: The Cloaked Brief
Search Definitions, not Headwords (jumps to Rhymezone)
The World’s Most Powerful Naming Tool (Corpora Exploration)
All Posts Tagged "creative tools"
Five Ways to Create Great, Free Domain Names
The Case for Coining
Decisions, Decisions: How to Research Brand Names

Enjoy!

- Anth