A brand name is the face of your brand that represents the first image of your brand. The logo also plays a major role. But, if someone hears about your brand from another person, they cannot see the logo initially. It makes the brand name the most crucial part of marketing your brand.
A good brand name is a critical element of any business. It allows your customers to remember your brand and make a place in their minds. Brand names must be attractive and functional. Let’s tell you all the qualities of a good brand name.
What is a Brand Name?
A brand name refers to a distinct name given to a product, service, or concept. The brand name gives your product or service a unique identity and enables people to remember you. Mostly, people associate a brand’s name with the product’s function. That is why choosing an appropriate brand name is vital.
Brand names are of different types and decided based on your intention behind the name. Some names are descriptive, while others are acronyms. A few brands prefer abstract and emotive names, while some choose names based on origin. Each brand name is specific and stands for the product or service offered. Besides being attractive, a brand name should tell your customers everything about your brand in just a few letters.
Qualities of a Good Brand Name
Choosing a brand name can be challenging, especially when many are already taken. Yet, it is also relatively easy. Why?
Brand names are unique to the brand’s product, service, origin, and theme.
You can draft an entirely unknown name and still convey to people what your brand is about. Here are all the qualities you must consider while choosing a brand name for your product, service, or concept.
Unique
With many other businesses in the marketplace offering the same services as you, it is important to have a unique identity that distinguishes you from others. Brand names should be specific to your service, product, and the company’s theme. You might not want to go overboard with it. However, a little bit of personalization can make it easy to associate with you and remember. It is one of the important parts of brand positioning.
Easy to Pronounce
While you may want to have a unique name, the best brand names are easy to pronounce. An easy-to-pronounce and identifiable name are convenient for people of all ages. As a brand, you want people to remember your name without reminding them repeatedly. And isn’t that we all want?
Should Portray the Product
One of the essential characteristics of a good brand name is how well it tells people what your brand is all about. Let’s say you choose a fancy brand name that is easy to pronounce, depicts your origin, and is attractive. But, it’s not a great brand name if it does not clearly indicate what your product is about. For example, you name a cleaning company, crystal. The first thought that would come to people’s minds is that it is a crystal or gem company.
Attractive
Sometimes brand names can be unique and easy to pronounce but not attractive. In today’s time, it is all about learning to sell your product wisely because of rising competition. The first step to selling your products or services is selling your brand name. And a boring brand name is less likely to be remembered and preferred by young buyers. Think of a compelling name that also expresses the qualities of your product.
Adaptable and Extendable
You do not want to choose a brand name that suits one product only and restricts you. A brand name must be versatile, adaptable, and extendable. It would merge well with other products you wish to introduce in the future. Suppose you introduce a new beverage line of cold drinks and name it COOL. After a few years, you expand your business and plan to add hot beverages to the line.
But, hot drinks from a company named Cool? Ironic, wouldn’t it be!
Positive Meaning
You may be surprised to know that sometimes brand names can backfire and leave a bad image of your organization. When choosing a name, make sure that it has a positive meaning and may not hurt anyone’s sentiments. The brand name should be politically correct.
Appropriate
Besides having a positive meaning, it should be appropriate for the product line and region and carry an appropriate meaning in all languages. At times, you may opt for a brand name that seems fine in your home country. But, it may not be appropriate when sold in other parts of the world. Make sure to do thorough research and avoid inappropriate names.
Legally Protected
Do you spend a lot of time deciding the perfect name for your brand, and another business pops up with the same name? It is terrible!
We understand that deciding on a brand name is not easy, and it requires lots of brainstorming, consuming quite a lot of time.
After deciding on a name, it is a must to get it registered. If you do not get your brand name registered, you cannot stop anyone else from using it. And you will lose the unique identity of your brand.
The Bottom Line
The brand name is your primary identity and leaves a long-lasting impression on the customers. Branding is important in today’s competitive market. Make sure to choose it for decades. A good brand name must be easy to read, attractive, unique, adaptable, and extendable. It should also depict the qualities of your product, so more prefer your products over others. Make sure to trademark your brand name after you have chosen one to make sure no one steals it.
FAQs
How to choose the right brand name?
Choosing the right name for your brand can be an effort-taking process. Yet, it is crucial to find the best name. Brainstorming ideas is the first step in choosing a brand name. Pick a few concepts, use clear words, add unique elements and pick the one that resonates with your brand the most.
What are meaningless brand names?
Meaningless brand names do not typically have a proper meaning in any language. You may also say that they are improper words. But, sometimes, they are used as brand names to depict uniqueness. Lululemon is an example that does not have a meaning and is intentionally difficult to pronounce.
What are some great brand names?
Gap, Pepsi, and IKEA are among the most popular brand names. Gap gets its name from the style gap between young people and the older generation. Pepsi originated from “dyspepsia,” which means indigestion. Whereas, IKEA is a combination of the initials of the founder’s name, his farm’s name, and his village’s.
Matthew is a Co-Founder at BusinessFinanceArticles.org. Matthew was a floor manager at a local restaurant in Wales. He lost his job after the pandemic and took initiative to make a team and start the project.
Leave a Reply