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.

Annie Rainwater

Coming up with Cosmobyannie and Annie.x.artistry was something I had fun creating! It all started with my Instagram. I saw a lot of my peers going with something such as hair by __ or makeup by __ which is fantastic but personally I didn’t want to tie myself down to one single niche thing. I wanted my business to have the opportunity to grow with my skills. I knew I would always be in the beauty industry and I decided to have my name encompass all things beauty! Read more>>

Martye Hickman

Normally, I’d talk about my seasoning company, SavaThaFlavaLLC during interviews, but I’d like to introduce a new business venture. This new company is called Golden Palms! I came up with the name because I know how to do a lot of things ! Some one once told me that “everything I touch turns into gold!” So when I started my exterior home refresh career, I named the business “Golden Palms” hands of gold. Besides, I love palm trees. Read more>>

Nemea Athletica

We named our brand Nemea Athletica after the legendary tale of Hercules in Greek mythology. Hercules, driven by a quest for greatness and a desire to sit among the gods on Mount Olympus, faced twelve grueling labors to cement his legacy. His first challenge? Slaying the Nemean Lion, a beast so fearsome that many believed he was doomed to fail. This lion was not just terrifying—it had impenetrable fur, making it invincible to anyone who dared confront it. But Hercules didn’t back down. He harnessed sheer determination and overcame the seemingly impossible. That relentless spirit is the essence of NEMEA. Our brand embodies the drive to push beyond limits and defy the odds, no matter the sacrifices required. Life often throws us into dark, intimidating caves of adversity. We can choose to retreat, settle for mediocrity, or, like Hercules, we can step into the unknown and give it everything we’ve got. NEMEA stands by the underdog, champions boldness, and values humility in victory and grace in defeat. We’re here to fuel your fight and inspire you to face every challenge with fierce resolve. Read more>>

Nikolas Yanek-chrones

I’ve always been fascinated by Greek mythology, an interest that was probably borne equally from the fictional Percy Jackson novels and my own very real Greek heritage. This gave me many great options to choose from, each one seemingly more dramatic than the last. At first I believed it was important that the myth I chose be directly related to learning or intelligence. After querying the modern day oracle, Google, for some answers I changed course. Most of the names that came up had enough vowels to give onomatopoeia a run for its money, and I wanted something short and sweet. I pivoted to look for myths that were more aligned with principles that my business embodies, or spoke to the mission of our company. These too failed me. Read more>>

Crystal Phillips

I wanted something catchy for both children and kids at heart. The Characters I came up with for my children’s stories and plushies were food based, so I came up with the name “Foodie Friends.” Read more>>

Deidre Burt

I came up with the name Sassy Sauce after researching 5 potential name options that either had something to do with me or my 3 boys. Sassy Sauce stood out to me as catchy and different. Based off my products being “citrus-based” and as I used to be told my mouth was “sassy” growing up, they nicknamed me Little Miss Sassy, hence the name SASSY SAUCE. When the flavor hits your mouth, it makes you have something to say. Read more>>

Takisha Miller

Naming anything—especially a business—can indeed be challenging. The story behind the name “ElevateHer Foundation” is deeply personal and rooted in my own experiences. I chose this name because I was tired of the challenges I faced in my own life, feeling restricted and unable to move freely as I was created to. I longed for a support system that was like-minded, non-judgmental, and supportive—one that loved Jesus, loved God, and also loved life. “ElevateHer” reflects my desire to create a space where women can rise above their struggles and thrive in their faith, personal growth, and overall well-being. Read more>>

Shakia Williams

Cyrenity Sips Winery is a family-owned business that proudly reflects our names: Cyan, Clifford, and Shakia Williams. The ‘W’ in our winery’s name honors our family surname. ‘Cyrenity’ is a unique blend of our daughter’s name and the essence of serenity, symbolizing the tranquil experience we offer. ‘Sips’ signifies our openness to expanding beyond wine to include a variety of beverages like coffee and tea. Read more>>

Amy Bishop

During my 200-hour yoga teacher training, I was tasked with creating a business name. Seeking a versatile and inclusive identity, I aimed for a name that would encompass all eight limbs of yoga. Yoga’s applicability to various aspects of life inspired me to choose a name that could support my business’s growth in multiple directions. After careful consideration, I settled on ‘Yoga Life with Amy.’ This name reflects my intention to teach the full spectrum of yoga practices and connect people to the transformative power of this ancient discipline. Read more>>

Stephiney Foley

Naming a company is no easy feat—it can feel like naming your child! I went through almost 100 names, considering everything from “Village” to more abstract ideas. But what really stuck with me was this concept of creating something that not only had roots in tradition but could also scale and become part of everyday language. That’s how I landed on *Yuzi*, which is a derivative of “yuezi,” an ancient Chinese practice of postnatal care. In Asia, these retreats are everywhere—there are over 7,000 of them, and about 80% of women in countries like China and Taiwan use them. The care they provide to new mothers is critical, but it’s something we don’t see enough of here in the U.S. Read more>>

Philip Carrera

The name Dizzy Bee Books was created with careful thought and intention. First, the use of alliteration—pairing “Dizzy” and “Bee”—makes the name catchy and memorable, rolling easily off the tongue. This playful combination also acts as a nod to the phrase “busy bee,” symbolizing a sense of energy, creativity, and constant activity, which reflects the dynamic process of bringing new ideas and content to life through coloring books. The word “dizzy” adds an extra layer of whimsy, evoking a lighthearted, fun atmosphere. Finally, the inclusion of “Books” was essential to make it instantly clear what the brand produces—books that offer joy, relaxation, and a creative outlet. Altogether, Dizzy Bee Books is a name that embodies a vibrant spirit, invites curiosity, and is easy for customers to recall and connect with the brand’s mission. Read more>>

Caroline Hanson

This was actually one of the easiest parts of setting up my business. Being a western lifestyle/rodeo photographer, I knew I wanted something I could shorten into a brand for my watermarks. I have a younger brother and sister, so the 3 in Hanson3 represents all three of us. I like that I can shorten it to H3. Just like a ranch brand. Read more>>

Jodecci Munnings

My grandmother, the late Melrose Gaitor was a fashionista in her own right. She passed away in 2000, but in 2006 i found some of her items in a hall closet. one of which was a cobalt blue fur coat. I’d always sneak it into my room, put it on and walk around on my tippy-toes imitating the strut of high heels. i wanted to be a fashionista too. in 2014 when i was first approached by an investor for my business the original name i chose was “Melrose Closet”. i kept the business plan, however I never submitted the proposal. i knew that it was something that i wanted to do but i also knew the timing wasn’t right. In 2020, my vision expanded, and the business evolved from a closet to an entire house as there was now a collection of products and skills that i had learned over the years that i now wanted to incorporate. Read more>>

Megan Sebastian

I grew up in a multigenerational home, and learned to bake under the careful eye of my grandmother. She filled the house will wonder, sweets, and a lot of love. I also grew up in a house on a lot of land, surrounded by the woods. My creativity and imagination was encouraged as a child. I always thought I would be a baker one day with a cool bakery in the woods in some sort of cottage. Later in life, when I decided to open a bakery, I knew I wanted something to honor that little girl who loved storytelling and held such big dreams. I wanted a creative name to spark an image, and believe it or not, my husband thought of the name. I wish I could take credit for it, alas, he is the genius behind the name and is my biggest cheerleader, so all is well! It felt like the perfect name.  So in honor of my younger self, the girl who knew what her dream was and dared to dream so big, The Enchanted Cottage Bake Shop was born.  Read more>>

Avidant

I came up with “Avidant” after about 2 years of thinking of an alias to rebrand to. I was having the hardest time coming up with something since the brand before Avidant? I had gone by for 6-7 years. So, one night, a friend of mine contacts me saying he wants to play a game on PC called “Among Us.” And I agreed to play with him for the night. I thought to myself “Since I have to make a new account to play this game, I’m just going to auto-generate a name and the first thing that auto-populates? That’s going to be my new alias.” When I clicked the button? “Avid-ant#” and some numbers popped up. I thought “There’s no way I’m going as ‘Avid-Ant’ for my new name.” And then I grabbed a notebook, wrote the name down without the “-“ and that’s when “Avidant” was born. It’s the best decision I ever made, honestly.  Read more>>