How to name a startup

This newsletter is written 30,000 feet in the air—I’m going to Taiwan.

I used to spend days brainstorming for a startup name, to finally come up with something nobody understood…

Let’s talk about making up an unforgettable name. First impression matters.

Estimated reading time: 3 min 09 sec

Here are 3 common ways to name a startup:

1. A super easy and short name—like Stripe or Butter. ChatGPT is good at making them.

2. SEO-oriented names—like HeadshotPro.

3. Benefit-oriented names—like NomadList or Tweet Hunter.

Let’s focus on the last one. It’s the easiest way to be memorable as a solopreneur with limited resources. The name is usually made of 2 short words.

One word should be super relatable to your customers. Speak a language they use and understand.

• Tweet Hunter is for professionals on Twitter

• ShipFast is for indie makers

• OurBabyAI is for couples

The other word should signal a change in your customer’s life. It shouldn’t be about your product at all. Why is your product useful? How will it change my life?

• ShipFast: Finally launch that side project

• CleanShotX: Take beautiful screenshots with no skills

• NomadList: Go nomad, change your life

Now you have 2 words, find 5 short synonyms for each. Quick? Fast. Launch? Ship. When you have 2 lists of 5 synonyms, ask ChatGPT to create all combinations. Remove combinations that are over 10 words. Keep it simple.

Pick your 3 favorites and send them to a few friends: “What’s your favorite?” Their answers don’t matter, yet. After 24 hours, remove your messages from the chat and ask “Which one do you remember?” Your new startup name is the most remembered. That’s it!

Don’t spend too much time on this. A name won’t make a startup. Pick one, and start building!