One of the most creative parts of starting something new is finding a name and it’s also one of the most challenging. Below, you’ll find the stories of how various successful brands, creators and entrepreneurs came up with their names.
Calient’e Rouseau
The beginning statement is SO TRUE! It is definitely a journey trying to figure out the PERFECT name for something that you are building yourself and that you’re hoping and praying will become a very well known household name. I intally chose a name that I felt was going to stand out and stick with my audience. I branded my business with labels, promotinal products, and websites, but after a year in buiness my team found that legally a name change would have to happen. This was very stressful because I had eastablished a brand my following had become familiar with. BUT, I was determined to make the pivot a successful one. So I sat down and began to go to work on a new stand out name- I choose to use family roots by combining my family’s names to make my new name even more unique than before. Read more>>
Jennifer Burrow
Mad Chocolates: Well, that could mean a number of things, couldn’t it? And in fact, it does. I came up with the name about 14 plus years before I actually started my small business. At the time I was unhappy in my full time “career” job and mad that I couldn’t figure out how to start over, pursue what I loved, and still pay the bills. So, I set a glass jar on my desk at work with a label that said “Mad Chocolates Start Up Fund.” I think I received about $200 in donations. Fast forward to 2021, marriage, divorce, single mom, a big move to a new town and still working in the same field. Two things happened; I found I was home way more than ever, thanks to the Pandemic, and I turned 50. I came to a couple of realizations: One- I wasn’t getting any younger and Two- what was I teaching my daughter? Read more>>
Jesse Van Note
In the Beer World hard to source or rare beers are called “Whales”. These can be anything from beers unavailable in your state, small batches, expensive, time to make, & any combo of these things. Read more>>
Jaia
The Tatsee Brand is a name that derived from, what I felt , was a lack of black media content that presented us in a tasteful way, all while still maintaining authenticity. It first started with my podcast Tastee Talk. It then grew into an entire movement that I am still building 3 years in. It truly has been a journey! And I’m looking forward to how we expand in 2024. Read more>>
Evie Harper
As the founder and visionary behind Panther and Peacock Luxury Hair and Makeup, the journey to christening our brand was a tapestry woven with intention, creativity, and a touch of inspiration drawn from an unlikely source. In the vast landscape of beauty enterprises, it is customary to affix a brand with the name of its primary artist or founder. However, Panther and Peacock emerges from a different ethos – a collective of artisans with a commitment to unity and a desire to surpass individual identity. We sought a name that would embody the essence of collaboration, extending beyond the mere provision of hair and makeup services. Our quest for a moniker was not solely about aesthetics; it was a pursuit of an identity that encapsulated the holistic experience we offer. Read more>>
Riley Furey
I originally started Kind of Consistent because I simply didn’t want to commit to any posting schedule that felt unrealistic to me. We’re coming up on three years of following that mantra, and I’m really happy to see the growth we’ve had while following a counter culture to the social media hustle mindset. Read more>>
Nadria Senoussi
Coming up with a name for a brand can often feel like an arduous task, but for me, it was a quick process filled with inspiration and personal significance. When I envisioned my art, I wanted it to serve as an oasis, a refuge for my clients, a place where they could find solace and escape from the daily stresses of life. This desire to create a sanctuary-like experience for my audience became the driving force behind the name of my brand: “SafahnaScapes Art.” The name itself is derived from my social media handle, Safahna, which I have been using for years. I decided to combine my middle name, Safah, with the first two letters of my first name, Nadria, resulting in the unique and evocative name, “Safahna. Read more>>
Chanise Gibbs
The name BareSkin USA was not chosen at random. It was a divine revelation that came to me during a moment of self-reflection. As the world was grappling with the pandemic, I found myself looking into the mirror, reflecting on the changes and uncertainties of the times. This moment of introspection led me to a profound realization – I wanted to embark on a new journey, one that would not only benefit me but also others. I decided to create a skincare brand that would help people embark on their own journey of self-care. The name BareSkin USA symbolizes the idea of embracing one’s natural beauty and skin, of being unapologetically oneself, and of promoting self-care practices that are as unique as each individual’s skin. Read more>>
Samuel Zeeryp
Absolutely, naming ‘Bitchin’ Blowouts’ was a deeply personal and deliberate choice. I wanted a name that defied convention, something that would be both memorable and attention grabbing. The term ‘Bitch’ for me, embodies empowerment and a certain audacity that I bring to my craft. I pride myself on the unique experience that I offer my clients that you can’t find in your average salon. While my passion primarily lies in color services, the name encapsulates the boldness and presence I bring to every service. It’s more than just a name; it’s a reflection of my unique style and the force of energy I infuse into every guest and appointment. ‘Bitchin’ Blowouts’ is not just about hair; it’s about confidence, flair, and celebrating individuals and their Bad Bitchery!” Read more>>
Asia Morgan
The name behind my business is so special to me . The name is a combination of both of my sister’s middle names , my sisters started their businesses years before I did and gave me the foundation and motivation I needed to start mine . My younger sister Myia Morgan is a hairstylist while my older sister India Mann owns a natural/herbal coffee and tea business. Seeing them chase their own individual dreams gave me the confidence to finally chase mine Read more>>
Jesi Kirk
The name Howling Moon Pet Care was inspired by one of my past dogs, Zuri. Zuri was a Chinese Crested Powder Puff who loved everyone he met and was a great trick dog performer. He worked as a therapy dog in nursing homes and elementary schools for many years. One of his most loved tricks was howling or singing on cue. When I quit working in the public school system and decided to open my own business I was faced with choosing a unique name. One of my teacher friends and I went out to dinner and talked through my long list of possible names. Howling Moon was original and worked perfectly because our original mascot was Zuri. He loved to go to events to meet new people and show off his howling trick. Read more>>
Alexandra Petrovic
When I finally decided to realize my long-held dream of having my own Fashion Brand, picking a name that screamed ‘This is me!’ was top of the list. Given my interest in futuristic aesthetics, particularly inspired by the cyberpunk scene, and my passion for gaming, I sought a name that could seamlessly weave these elements together. However, every name I thought of in the process was already claimed as a domain, and the pursuit of a .com domain further challenged me. Understanding that a business’s identity hinges on a unique and available domain, I got frustrated by not finding something available. It was during this moment that I suddenly remembered a game I had played last year. ‘Death Stranding,’ wherein one of the NPC’s was named Fragile. Instantly latching on to the name, I paired it with the word ‘Base’: a representation of resilience and strength, akin to a solid foundation. Read more>>
Tiarra Doherty
It all started in 2010, I wanted a giant tattoo of an animal on my arm. Once I read the symbolism behind the wolf I scheduled my tattoo appointment the very next day. Three wolves are tattooed on my arm and they symbolize: strong connection with your instincts or intuition, strong family ties, loyalty, good communication, education, understanding, and intelligence. My own mother left me when I was just 8 years old but before that she was not a good mother anyway. Everything the wolf symbolized I aspired to be. Over the years I learned more about wolves. Like humans, the wolf mother begins preparing for her young long before they arrive. She may choose another female wolf to help assist her with her pups the first few weeks but in time, the entire pack will support and nurture the puppies. Read more>>
Lauren Lynch
I’ve always been passionate about events. Planning, decorating and baking have always been my niche. I thought long and hard, ‘what better name to use for a business title than the name ‘passion’?”. I did some research and found ‘ardent’ which is a synonym for ‘passion’. I pestered all of my close friends and family asking what adjectives and phrases stood out to them. We landed on Occasion and Creators. Arden Occasion Creators is my brand that has stuck with me since 2015. Through all of the tough experiences I’ve had, I could not see myself changing my Business name anytime soon. Read more>>
Julie Genovese
Willow Healing came to me on my drive to my teaching job one foggy morning about 4 years ago. I had been operating my healing business out of my home for years and had finally decided that I wanted my own brick and mortar and with that comes a legit name and llc of course. Weeks had gone by with a million different ideas. Should I just use my name as the business name? That didnt feel right, because I knew that in the future Id like for the business to grow and be more than just lil’ol’me. I wanted to grow the community of healers and be the host for them to share their uniqueness with others, so my name was out of the question. I even used different apps to create a name for me, and that felt unaligned with each result. Read more>>
Dijia Chen
I operate as an independent designer, and Dijia Creative embodies my brand. When choosing the brand name, I aimed to reflect my personality and the essence of my work. The logo holds significant weight—it’s the visual identity that leaves a lasting impression. It plays a crucial role in conveying the tastefulness of the brand. Dijia Creative’s logo draws inspiration from the phrase ‘with Dijia.’ As my follower base expands, I’ve come to realize that these individuals, whom I may not have met personally, feel more like friends. My aspiration is to share not just my designs but also snippets of my life with this growing community. Read more>>
AJ Foxx
The name Sobremesa Creative Solutions stems from my Mexican background. ‘Sobremesa,’ translating to ‘Upon the table,’ embodies the cherished tradition of post-meal conversations. For me, this term signifies more. it represents moments of gathering around a table, engaging in deep conversations, and sparking creative ideas. Many of my most inspired moments occurred while seated among fellow creatives, brainstorming and exchanging ideas. This name encapsulates my commitment to integrating my culture into my work and reflects my role as a ‘creative solutioner.’ Read more>>
Tramaine Kinard
The brand name came from a slogan SomeWhereInTheSky that my cousin “Nycc3” would use as I referenced to being fly. One Day He approached me with an idea to start a clothing called “SomeWhereInTheSky Fly.” I told him “SomeWhereInTheSky Fly” was to cliche and we should drop the Fly and just use SomeWhereInTheSky. That we agreed on shortly after I went and got the first logo made and it was a badge with all the elements to the sky in it and under it read S.W.I.T.S with SomeWhereInTheSky in script under it. I told my cousin the people are going to recognize as SWITS, One because it’s catchy and it’s easier than saying SomeWhereInTheSky. Read more>>
Bethia Palmer
Ris Griffith Cakes is named for my maternal grandmother She was a hard-working baker from Zeelandia, a small
villange on Wakenaam Island on the Essequibo River in Guyana. She was known in her community as an outstanding baker of bread and cakes. The core values of my business are faith, commitment, community and integrity. My grandmother embodied all these and more, so the business name gives honor to her legacy Read more>>
Abigail Hemming
When I first started my business, I used my name as a business name. Turns out, the last name Jividen is really hard to remember. I got married son after that & no longer wanted to have my legal name as my business name. It took me three weeks to finally decide on a name! I didn’t want “just a word”, I wanted a word the described a feeling. I finally settled on Euphoria Photography. I was worried this name would be seen as sexual but I was willing to risk it for the true meaning behind the word. “Euphoria is the experience of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness.” That’s all I want for my clients – to feel totally in love, happy, & living in the moment! Read more>>
Nikki Vavra
The name “With Grace Pastries” embodies elegance, sophistication, and a sense of refined artistry in its pastry products. “Grace” often conveys a sense of style, charm, and beauty, while “pastries” indicates the focus of the business. When combined, the name “With Grace Pastries” signifies a commitment to creating pastries that are not only delicious but also crafted with an emphasis on beauty and artistry. As a business in whole I value the concept of grace, not only in my products, but my service and overall approach to the culinary experience. Read more>>
Elaina Mansour
What a challenging task to name a business! It is the first piece of branding for your business, one of the most important identifiers. When I was deciding on a name for my jewelry label, I explored all different types of names. It took weeks. I eventually sat down and dwelled upon the reason why I was starting a jewelry label with my own designs. I knew I needed a name that encapsulated the essence of my vision and mission. Jewelry is so much more than personal adornment, it often holds sentimental value and deep personal meaning. As a child, growing up in a Lebanese household, I was captivated by the exquisite jewelry my mother adorned daily, regardless of the occasion. She instilled that elegance is an everyday celebration. Not just reserved for special occasions, elegance, beauty and joy are everyday celebrations. Jewelry is one such way to celebrate the everyday. Read more>>
Kalena Williams
Our company is named after my late grandmother Jessie Monroe who was unable to wear nail polish due to the chemicals in them hence the reason for our polishes being vegan. With that being said, your wellbeing is our #1 priority. We create 100% toxic-free nail polishes with professional-grade quality that dry within 45-60 seconds. Read more>>
Jere Dean
My business name is Urban Octopus it represents my passion for the city and the ocean, I started my business 23 years ago, at that time I moved from the east coast ( Philadelphia ) where I grew up to the west coast ( San Diego ) where I currently live, San Diego has the perfect urban / ocean vibe and it gave me the opportunity to promote my brand and sell my art at Art festivals and local markets year around mostly because of the beauty weather here and the abundance of amazing markets. Also the octopus is one of my spirt animals and it has a connection with the number 8 which represents to me balance and harmony, I believe this is so important when creating a business…. Read more>>
Geraldine Barclay-King
The concept of Geri’s Bluffing Boutique comes from Geraldine’s Liberian (West African) roots. The word “Bluffing” denotes the desire to not only “look good” but to “feel good”. It is used by Liberians to denote the use of fashion to project confidence and positivity, even when one might not be feeling their best. It was during the pandemic that Geraldine developed the concept of a boutique that would deliver an uplifting experience to make a difference in a community that was finding it difficult to quote with the challenges of COVID-19. The idea was “Geri’s Bluffing Boutique”, a “feel good” retail shopping experience. Geri’s Bluffing Boutique has become a welcome and unique shopping experience in downtown Woonsocket. The mission is to transform lives through fashion, art, and cultural education. Read more>>
Knar Townsend
The name Knarlyworld started from my childhood nickname jknar that my Uncle gave me. Once Ant and I joined forces he randomly called me with the dope idea for us to call ourselves Knarlyworld. Shout out Mike Meyers! Read more>>
Christina Menkemeller
In August 2016, I was unemployed and depressed. After finishing graduate school, getting married, and moving to Florida – the dust had settled, and now there was nothing left to distract me from my NF2 diagnosis. One day, while listening to the radio, a woman explained that when we feel lost or stuck, that’s when God is strategically positioning us to do something greater. The idea of Being Positioned immediately shifted my perspective. From that day on, I discovered a new hope and a sense of purpose. I knew that my biggest struggles would soon turn into my greatest gifts. And that no matter how much I had to suffer, something good was going to come from my condition. Regardless of religious beliefs, the idea of Being Positioned can offer hope for everyone. Read more>>
Carlaura Flie-Jordan
I absolutely agree, deciding on a name for your business and or company is one of the greatest decisions that you can make as a business owner. This name becomes the face of your business as well as everything that people will connect to you. Dream Big Inspire Big defines everything that my business stands for, as well as everything that I believe in. I know that everything great starts with a dream/vision. You have to first imagine the very thing that you want or desire. No dream is ever too big. I always want people to know, no matter where you are in life, age, gender, financial status, nothing can stop you from pursuing your dreams. I also believe that as we are growing in life we should always strive to inspire others. Dream Big Inspire Big was truly birthed with my two boys in mind. My husband and I are raising two young black boys who will one day become two black men, and one of our sons has autism. Read more>>
Salina Romo
The name of my company is called Flavorgasm. People always tell me that my food has so much flavor so I say it’s called a “flavor orgasm” in your mouth. Have you ever been to a restaurant and left with the taste of your food lingering in your mouth? I went to a breakfast spot in Boston 2 months ago and I can still taste those breakfast potatoes. That is what I want for my business, for people to come and never forget their food experience. Flavorgasm also has a lot to do with my personality, I like to be silly and have fun and make the work environment fun so when I thought of the name and I told my closest friends they all laughed and said “that is so you”. Read more>>
Amber Collins
Experiencing The Pandemic was I believe terrifying to most of us. It was a time of chaos, uncertainty, and unrest politically, socially, economically and nurturing vital relationships. I became obsessively concerned about the souls of individuals near and far, and yearned for a means to help people heal and recover from the tragedies from the Pandemic and political atmosphere. The tragedy of George Floyd was a kind of catalyst that moved made me more aware that the time was Now if I was going to do something at all. To have faith and step out into the midst of the chaos, however I had no clarity of where my place in repairing the fabric of our society was. Where was my place assisting those persons that were already on the ground doing the rebuilding work. Read more>>
Joshua Gordon
Well, it was initially challenging to come up with a unique name. But after long deliberation, the word ‘pixel’ stood out to me. I first paired it with other names, but then I tried it with my name abbreviated. Looking back, it all fits in perfectly as I don’t only focus on photography but on other digital spaces. The term ‘pixels’ refers to a dot representing a single color and the smallest unit of a digital image or display. The rest is history. Welcome to Jag Pixels. Read more>>
Taylor Reliford
The name Taylor Made Experiences comes from a few different places. Growing up, people used to always have a play on my name wether it was “Taylor Gang”, “Taylor Made”, “TayTay” or even my great grandma calling me “Teller”. I knew that my names had to be included and unique. I was speaking to one of the people who encouraged me to start my business, Tiffany Green, and she suggested the same Taylor Made Creations which was a play on the the work “tailor”. Everyone knows when you go to a tailor, the point is for what that is being tailored to be specific to the person. Taylor Made Experiences because every event is more than an event, it is a luxury experience. A luxury experience that is full of unique ideas, creations, designs, and guaranteed happy clients. Taylor Made Experiences is luxury taylor-ed to you! Read more>>
Taylor Prewitt
My business name “Sweet Ruth’s” has a heartfelt origin. I chose to incorporate Ruth which is my grandmother’s middle name, as a way to honor her legacy and maintain a family connection. The choice of “Sweet” in the name shares the delightful nature of our products and services. This blend of family heritage and personal sentiment in the name “Sweet Ruth’s” reflects my deep appreciation for family values and desire to infuse these into the very foundation of my business. Read more>>
De’Shena Drummond
I am the owner/designer of brands PaperBag x shedeshena & shedeshenaxshades. shedeshenaxshades was created back in 2018. Laying in bed one night, I got the idea “you should sell your own shades.” I owned so many pairs of shades & I always got compliments on them. The next day I grabbed a journal and come up with the names and frame designs for my shades. The original name for the brand was “sheshades” because my nickname was Shena and it was just a cute name. But i had to change it because other company was using that. So i then came up with shedeshenaxshades- shedeshena was already my IG name so i added the x shades and that’s it. I began selling shades off my Snapchat and FB like crazy! Read more>>
Mark Amizola
The story behind trap ninja collectibles is a story of my childhood, my cousins and I growing up especially in the 90’s every kid wanted to be a ninja. My cousins and I made our own clan and having ninja training every time we see each other. I incorporated Trap in the name because it’s where I do business and having a hustlers mind set. I feel that anybody can relate to trap ninja collectibles by having a hustlers mentality by trying and owning your own business and just following your dreams. Read more>>
Molly McCormack
Mammoth Club comes from our name first and foremost. MAM is our initials — Molly, Alan, Max — and we were trying to incorporate them into the name somehow. Mammoth was initially suggested as a joke, but it stuck, which is quite fitting. Club comes from our desire to do more than just make content — we wanted this to be a community. Club reminds us of hanging out with your friends as a kid, and that’s the vibe we want. Everyone is welcome and invited to join the Club. Read more>>
Shantelle Thompson
Cypher Warz is in memory of my best friend Essie “Spody-G” Hill. Spody was known for his barz, punchlines, delivery and metaphors. Spody will battle rap at the Barburian Arena and SRL known as Southern Rap League located here in Jacksonville Florida. I came up with the name Cypher Warz on the phone with my home girl. In a Cypher there is no Winner, it’s just a flow round where everybody just vibe and everybody is safe. When you mention Warz that’s when we get to battling, it could be an artist going off the dome and just bringing they best 16 barz. Read more>>
Jazmin Mehne
I was so excited to start my crochet business this year, but the most challenging part was coming up with a name! I finally selected The Jazmin Dragon, a little nod to my love of anime! Some of you may recognize it as the name of Uncle Iroh’s tea shop from the Avatar series. The Jazmin Dragon is a passion project that has helped me combine my love of crochet, plants, and anime. Read more>>
Milli Moon
As an artist I would consider myself a brand. My real name is Camille and I had many nick names from Cam, Cami, and Chamilitary. The best nick name, Milli was given to me after Lil Wayne dropped his hit song, ‘A Milli’. Sailor Moon was one of my favorite anime shows growing up and I loved the characters, aesthetics, and messages it promoted. I wanted to be a sailor scout, saving the world with love and beauty. One of my hobbies during High School was reading and writing stories on fan fiction sites. While considering an artist name in the beginning of my musical journey, I thought of my old user name: Milli_Moon. Read more>>
Lory Wallace
It’s said that your greatest blessings are birthed in painful situations. Pulse Beauty was birthed in the midst of a physically abusive marriage. Unlike most makeup enthusiast, I originally started playing in makeup to masked the ugly naked truth that I didn’t want others to see. I was not long afterwards that I developed an addition to makeup. After my divorce in 2013, it to me many years to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. I slept on the idea for years of starting my own makeup brand due to fear of being judged and whether or not I will be received as an entrepreneur. After self-publishing my first book and inspiration journals, I’ve finally built up the courage within myself to say. Read more>>
Vic Rowberry
There is something magical about being out in nature. Observing, feeling, and sensing that we are a small part of the grandure of the universe can be lifechanging for the good. My love of being in the mountains and spending time in the outdoors led to a long, wonderful professional career with the Boy Scouts of America. Most of the work was spent supporting amazing volunteers through training, providing activity and program options, and running camps. During the summers of teaching leadership principles and outdoor skills, and observing campers, it became clear to me that there were thousands of people that didn’t have the opportunity to learn outdooor skills in a structured environment. Read more>>
Tiara Darnell
Blaxicocina is an amalgamation of the three words, “Black,” “Mexican,” and “Cocina,” which means “kitchen” in Spanish. I chose this name because it represents exactly what I’m doing here in Mexico: bringing the culinary traditions of two great cultures–Black American and Mexican culture–together in the kitchen of the first and only Black-owned Soul Food restaurant in Mexico City. Pronounced Blax–ee–co–cee–naa, the name has so much meaning and thought behind it. Yet, I didn’t anticipate that sooooo many people would pronounce it incorrectly; they say Blaxicocina like it’s an Italian name, saying “cuchina” instead of cocina. Read more>>
Sheri Hovey
When it came to naming my business, I had a very clear vision from the start. In recent years I have become somewhat attached to my father’s family farm in Eastern Kentucky. It is a beautiful and peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of suburban living! And the coolest part is that is has been in our family for 6 generations! My husband and I have a tentative plan to move there someday so to me, naming my flower business Kentucky 1871 Flowers was a no brainer. It celebrates the history of my family while also giving a nod to the future of my flower passion. Read more>>