What’s in a name? A lot apparently, as entrepreneurs, artists, and makers of all kinds spend enormous amounts of energy searching for the right name for their business, project, organization, or creation. Below, you’ll find the stories of how various successful brands, creators and entrepreneurs came up with their names.

Matt Poe

The name STOKE was derived from the hope to create an active design firm that incites potential. A studio where people and places can become the greatest version of themselves. We work tirelessly to become the oxygen to your flame. Read More>>

Sabrina Geraghty

I spent a long time trying to figure out what I wanted to name my tattoo studio. I went back and forth on a few ideas, jotted down names like “Sabrina’s Private Studio” and a bunch of others—but nothing felt quite right. Some names were already taken, and others just didn’t feel true to me. They felt too plain, too generic, or just not aligned with the energy I wanted to create. Read More>>

Keyliz Editionstyles

Absolutely! it’s one of the hardest but most meaningful parts of the process. I actually have two brands that I’ve built with a lot of love over the years: EditionStyles and Miss Antoinette, and each name holds a special piece of my story. Read More>>

Jennie Richau

I spent months collecting words I loved. If a word had a beautiful meaning, sounded great out loud, looked good written down, or just felt catchy, I wrote it down. My phone, journal, and sticky notes were all overflowing. Eventually, I pulled together my favorites on giant Post-its and invited two close friends, Jenn and Christian, to help me choose. Read More>>

Stephen Mangini

The name ‘Limitless MFG’ was really about setting the tone for what we wanted to build. In the branding and merchandising space, there’s a lot of copy-paste work—companies that take a cookie-cutter approach, chase quick money, and don’t put much thought into the creative process. We wanted to be the complete opposite of that. For us, it’s about limitless possibilities—whether it’s creative direction, production capabilities, or the way we partner with clients to bring ideas to life. Read More>>

Ronnie Gor

Our company name, amorphous, represents our philosophy that a design problem should be approached “without a clearly defined shape or form”. The design originates from listening to my clients unique values, beliefs, heritage and experiences, the site, immediate surrounding, context and the environment. A story emerges when these things are pieced together. Read More>>

Bari Padgett

The name The Artsy Farmer came from combining two of the things I’m most passionate about—agriculture and art. I already had two established businesses: Paragon Alpacas, focused on raising exceptional alpacas, and Bari Rhys Art & Design, my fine art studio. But I wanted something that brought these two parts of my life together in a way that could build community and create space for people to connect with nature, animals, and creativity. Read More>> 

Kari Littleton

“Revellyn Lifestyle Collective is a name that comes straight from my heart. It’s inspired by my three children. I wanted a name that carried meaning and beauty, Adding ‘Lifestyle Collective’ was important to me because this brand isn’t just about what you wear or carry—it’s about how you live. Revellyn represents a lifestyle rooted in simplicity, confidence, and intention. It’s my way of sharing the values I hold close and building something lasting, not just for myself, but for the community around it.” Read More>>

Emily Russo

The name No Trace Essentials came out of the core idea behind the product: I wanted something that would leave no trace—on the Earth, on our bodies, or on our clothes. The phrase “leave no trace” is often used in outdoor ethics, and it really resonated with me as a guiding principle. I wanted the name to reflect the simplicity and integrity of what I’m making—something essential, but not wasteful. Read More>>

Heather Luciani

I am a huge Jack White fan. When we first started Rag and Bone Records, we were doing a lot of “dirty digging”. We travelled all over Texas and surrounding states to purchase record collections. We would answer Craigslist ads, Marketplace, and referrals. It was the best time. Rag and Bone by The White Stripes became our Theme song. Read More>>

Frank Diaz

The name “Aeon Tea” stems from a deep appreciation for the concept of timelessness and the vital force of life, as derived from the ancient Greek word “aeon.” This idea encapsulates our brand’s identity, which emphasizes eternity and longevity. My personal journey with tea, rooted in my Mexican heritage, played a significant role in this naming. Growing up, tea was more than a beverage—it was a means of connecting with my ancestry and nurturing my well-being. Read More>>

Kimberly Hardy

The Board Cake is a play on words that felt like the perfect fit. It came from combining two things I love, cake boards and charcuterie boards.
Beautifully curated charcuterie boards and stunning sweet creations. The name represents both the sweet and savory sides of what I do and how they come together in a beautifully styled, thoughtful way. Read More>>

Sharice Smith

“Nicole By Iman” came about shortly after the loss of my twin sister in 2006. Nicole is actually her middle name (Letrice Nicole) & part of my middle name Ann-Iman (I am named after my maternal grandmother) and the model Iman. Using our name for my business helps me keep her name alive and it propels me towards my purpose. I’ve always been interested in beauty, makeup, fashion and the arts alike. Read More>>

ALEX JOHNSON

The Story behind how Dapper Kutz Barber Lounge LLC became known is a Testimonial Story in a Period of a Covid Pandemic that affected so many Businesses & People dramatically. At the time I was in a Barbershop paying booth rent an Barbers got the last call to shutdown entirely In 2020 of that Covid Pandemic an go home. At that time reality set in for me to Pivot,Adapt & Recreate me or anything at that time i was going to do now is the time. A Barbershop that I was in 2016 for 6years in Covid shutdown, Read More>>

Dr. Nicole Rochester

Your Next Chapter, LLC was birthed from a very painful divorce journey and is a testament to the power of healing, reinvention, and embracing new seasons of life after “divine disruptions”. In February 2024, a few months before my divorce was finalized, a dear friend invited me to join her for a spa weekend to celebrate her milestone birthday. While having dinner our first evening, I had a private conversation with the server to inform him we were celebrating her birthday. Read More>>