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.

Nicole Baldwin

Naming my business was deeply personal and surprisingly natural. It’s named after my father and grandfather, two men who exemplified integrity, hard work, and a dedication to serving others. Growing up, their values shaped how I see the world, and I wanted those qualities to be at the heart of what my brand represents. Choosing their name was not just a tribute to them, but also a way to carry their legacy forward and honor the foundation they built for our family. For me, it wasn’t just about picking a name—it was about creating something meaningful. Every time I see the name, I’m reminded of their influence and the responsibility to uphold the standards they set. It’s a constant source of inspiration, and I hope it conveys the authenticity and commitment we bring to the work we do. Read more>>

Taylor Waters

Absolutely! Naming a business is definitely a challenge, but when it came time to choose a name for my brand, I knew I wanted something that reflected my roots and passion. En Pointe Events is inspired by my first love—ballet. In ballet, being “en pointe” means precision, grace, and years of hard work, much like the effort and dedication that go into planning the perfect event. I see so many similarities between dance performances and weddings/events: every detail matters, timing is everything, and the final outcome should look effortless. With En Pointe Events, my goal is to make sure your special occasion is exactly that—on pointe, with every “t” crossed and every “i” dotted, leaving you with a flawless experience. Read more>>

Sanjeevani Varadharajan

“Veni’s Catering Services LLC” Naming a business is indeed a challenging but exciting process, and for me, it was deeply personal. Growing up, I always dreamed of owning a business that could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. After moving to the US, I rediscovered the joy of cooking and realized how much of my culinary skills I had inherited from my mother, an incredible cook. She taught me the secrets of creating delicious, wholesome meals, especially a wide variety of South Indian vegetarian dishes that hold a special place in my heart. Read more>>

Ashley Forest

Funny story—I actually came up with the name Tresses of Ascension in the shower! I get a lot of my ideas while showering (hopefully that’s not TMI, but hey, we all shower, right?). I wanted a name that represented transformation, the significance of a woman’s hair, and the symbolism of a crown. There were already so many names that included “crown” or “glory” or incorporated “locs.” Then one day, Tresses of Ascension just came to me, and I instantly fell in love with it and everything it symbolically represents. Read more>>

Kate Wilkinson

We are Palo interior design. I took our state tree Palo Verde, and shortened it to Palo. There were a lot of businesses named Palo Verde and I wanted to still use it in the name. I’m so glad we did! I wanted to name the company after the state that I live in because I have fallen in love with Arizona and all its wildlife and deserts surroundings. Read more>>

Ashley Anand

Akira Wellness is a story of duality. In Sanskrit, the language of my ancestors, Akira means ‘graceful strength.’ Years ago, during a conversation with my mom, I told her that if I ever had a daughter, I would name her Akira. Maybe one day I will. When it came time to name my business, Akira felt like the perfect fit. It’s more than a word—it’s a story. Akira, embodying graceful strength, represents the women who came before me and those who will follow. I come from generations of incredible women—givers, caretakers, lovers, and, most importantly, healers. They are the essence of grace and strength, and it’s this duality that I want to pass on to future generations.  Read more>>

Nicole Baldarelli

I have always been very creative and have preferred to make something myself before buying it, or at least trying to! When I had my first son in 2018, I struggled with some Postpartum and really felt like I lost myself in the process of new motherhood. When I had my second son during Covid in 2020, I knew I had to do something for myself to get “me” back and I had a dream one night while on maternity leave that I had started a business named Hope in Handfuls selling decorative home decor items. I woke up and googled the name to see if it existed and it didn’t and I told my husband that I was going to start a business. Being the amazing partner he is, he was a little confused but also very supportive and said “how do we start?!” Hope has always been a special word to me as I feel like you can’t do much without having it and people have always said to me that I have my hands full with my very busy lifestyle. It was as if my sub-conscience knew I needed it and that is how it all began! Read more>>

Alannah Williams

When I first started my business Dance Like a Cupcake, I was selling cupcakes at events. One day, a mom came by to order some cupcakes for her daughter, who had food allergies. When I mentioned that my cupcakes were free from eggs and dairy, the daughters face lit up, and when she bit into the cupcake she did a little dance. That moment inspired the name Dance Like a Cupcake. It brings me so much happiness to see others light up when they discover that they can safely eat and enjoy delicious desserts, too! Read more>>

Danielle Montreuil

I named MM Culture Group in honor of my late mother, Marie Montreuil, whose warmth, Haitian roots, and vibrant spirit shaped everything I do today. Growing up, our home was alive with holiday celebrations and gatherings that she hosted with a nurturing grace and a talent for connecting people, hosting up to 60 guests with incredible food and an open heart. Although I’m an introvert at heart, it’s this spirit of connection that drives me to bring people together in meaningful ways—introducing future friends, partners, or spouses in settings that inspire and uplift. My mother was a nurse, lighting up every room with her high-energy presence and unwavering kindness, and this business truly feels like a continuation of her legacy. After many ventures, I know this one aligns with my purpose, as it came to me in a dream over a decade ago, carrying the values I wanted to embody. MM Culture Group attracts team members and clients who believe in quality, integrity, and the same vision, and I feel it’s where I’m meant to be. Read more>>

Kalesa

The Kalesa, simply put, is a traditional horse-drawn carriage in the Philippines. Brought over by Spanish colonizers during their occupation of the islands, the Kalesa is a reminder of our violent and complicated history, and how it affects our identities to the present day and beyond. While the Kalesa is presented today as a charming and nostalgic icon of Philippine culture, its usage was highly exclusive, being characterized by Spanish nobles and rich Filipinos. It was accessible to only the highest classes of society at the time. Our mission at Kalesa is to subvert these complex aspects of our history through the simple joys of hospitality, accessibility, and dedication to our craft. The coffee shop is just a means for us to learn more about our heritage and ourselves, honor the community around us, and push back against any cultural narrative that prioritizes status and exclusivity. For that reason, within our branding, you won’t ever see a physical Kalesa, instead, our logo is a horse that is free from its carriage. Read more>>

Briana Dixon

Anxiety gave me my business name, Breathe Easy. I remember starting to feel it creep over me during my freshman year of high school. At that time, I didn’t know that’s what was happening, but I had plenty of time to figure it out since it stuck around throughout high school and college. Right before graduation, I learned about mindfulness and knew it was highly recommended for easing anxiety. So, to include more of it in my life, I started a consistent meditation and yoga practice. I quickly noticed that the more relaxed I was, the easier it was to breathe, and that feeling became one of my favorite aspects of the practice. Read more>>

Louisa Rescuegorillas

We wanted a name that was simple, universal, and immediately communicated the purpose of our organization. Gorillas are critically endangered, and their survival is directly impacted by human actions. Our mission is to take responsibility and work toward their protection, so the word “rescue” felt fitting to capture the urgency and compassion behind our goals. We are proud to be the first NGO in Latin America, specifically in Chile, to focus on the rescue and conservation of gorillas. Naming the organization “Rescue Gorillas” in English reflects our global aspirations and the fact that we are now based in New York City. Read more>>

Yaquelin Lizaola

The name of my company came about during a late-night conversation with my sister about launching a business dedicated to helping companies build and grow on digital platforms. It was right after the pandemic, during a time when everyone was deeply connected through social media—think back to the TikTok dancing craze! With people spending so much time online, we saw a real opportunity. After scribbling down ideas, one name stood out: “Content Collaborative.” It just felt right. We were entering the “content is king” era, though we didn’t realize then just how true that would become. Today, nearly every business depends on digital platforms and campaigns to bring in leads and clients, and I’m so glad we chose a name that perfectly fits the industry’s direction. Thank goodness for pen and paper! Read more>>

Dominic Ferraro

The name Casa dell’Unknown, meaning “House of the Unknown,” is half Italian and half English, much like myself. I wanted my company’s brand to reflect my heritage, and this blend felt like the perfect fit. I started Casa dell’Unknown at the beginning of the pandemic. Although I’ve worked primarily as a graphic designer, I found myself repeatedly writing “unknown” where the brand name or logo should go. Over time, it just started to feel right. The uncertainty of the pandemic—questions like, “Would we get through it? What would life be like afterward? Would people connect with my brand?”—all felt unknown, making the name fitting for the time. I also considered that many Americans might struggle to pronounce a fully Italian name like Casa della Sconosciuta, so this hybrid felt both meaningful and accessible. Read more>>

Melissa Alvarado

This question brings back such an intense memory! My process was definitely a bit crazy. I started with a list of everything I love: colors, books, places, food, street names—you name it. I had this huge list that took weeks to finalize. Then I spent hours mixing and matching words from it, trying to find *the* name… and nothing felt right. The pressure really started building because I had a meeting scheduled to approve my logo and finalize my LLC. I needed a name *fast*. After a few sleepless nights, I finally created a group chat with family and close friends, asking for their help (and I know they were so over me by then!). The next three days were full of Facetimes and texts, but somehow, we still didn’t have a name that clicked .On the day of my LLC meeting, my rep asked me, “Melissa, what’s the name?” I just looked at him, exhausted, and handed him my list of ideas with a few frontrunners. As I did, I actually started crying. My rep could see how much it meant to me, so he called his team, and they spent the next 20 minutes asking questions to get a feel for what I was going for. And that’s when they came up with *Blooming Sunflower*.I was so focused on finding the “perfect” name that I forgot to enjoy the process. But looking back, it was all worth it. The name feels right, and it reflects so much of what I want to build—growth, warmth, and a welcoming place for families and my community. Read more>>

Devin Beaford

My business name weDaBBle Brand Marketing came from a personal place. I was facing rejection after rejection in the job market due to my perceived lack of expertise in a certain area of marketing. I was qualified for different roles, but because I held a marketing generalist role for the majority of my career, there were always better applicants with more direct experience. So, weDaBBle was my way of owning the fact that because I’ve worked in most areas of marketing, and was forced to wear multiple hats as a team/department of one, I dabbled in it all: social media, PR, graphic design, video, copywriting, brand strategy, etc. weDaBBle, is a representation of dabbling in different areas of the creative marketing space, but also being very good in those spaces. And the cherry on top was finding a name that could emphasize and represent me, with my initials D, B and B, capitalized (Devin Burks-Beaford). Read more>>

Joshua Umahi

At the time where the COVID-19 Pandemic was at its “peak”, keeping everyone inside and quarantined in 2020, I had one prevailing emotion above all the other emotions I was feeling at the time, which was the feeling of nostalgia. To escape all the depressing feelings I had at that time, I fell back on nostalgia often, trying to remember the good times of when I was a kid, playing around with my friends at recess. I was a very creative kid in all aspects when I was younger, and I didn’t carry that along with me at that point in my adulthood. So, after a lot of tinkering and deliberation, I came up with The Recess Bell. Read more>>

Sadi Garmentz

Basically I was in a grieving period my grandpa had just passed I was in a state of loneliness. My grandfather was my everything… and when he passed I felt alone. At the time I was thinking of names for my brand and all I could really think of was Abandoned… cause I felt like my grandpa left me. I call my potna he was upcoming model / designer RIP ZONA~ I was picking his brain about the concept and he told me it was to niche and I should try to look outside the box… I just said outta nowhere “ I JUST WANNA LEAVE THIS EARTH “… [ mentally ] then I said I jus wanna be UnEarthed… then it jus came to me •UNEARTH• Read more>>

Laura Collins

The name of my business is Mini Acres Farm. When you think of a farm, you think of hundreds of acres. However, it is surprising how much you can grow on less. We have a total of 10 acres, so we consider it a miniature farm. Our animals also fall into that category. We have miniature donkeys, pygmy goats and Mini Rex rabbits. All of these things came into play when naming the farm Mini Acres Farm. It just fit! Read more>>

Christina Wellington

Back in 2012, I lost my Father. From that point on I had always wanted to work for myself. Coming from a retail position in which I was a multi-store Manager, I knew that above anything the name of my brand had to be memorable. I loved candles and wanted to make a candle line. Just like that Mellow Vibe Candles came to life. I came up with it in 2012. It is fully trademarked and licensed since 2021. Read more>>

Michelle Yu

Naming a business can be quite a challenge, but for me, the choice was clear and deeply personal. My company, Josie, is named after my four-year-old daughter, who, in turn, is named after my mom. This name holds a special place in my heart and serves as a tribute to the remarkable women in my life. Read more>>

Carrie Reinagel

Life is meant for living well. If we aren’t going to aim for our ideal life, what are we doing? I want my clients to create the lives and businesses of their dreams and to be able to sustain them over time. So, I start by asking “What is your big dream”? Anything is possible with a vision, teamwork and consistent action over time. Many don’t believe in their dreams or think it’s too big or too hard. I like giving my clients permission and practical access to their big dreams. We break it down step by step so the path is clear. Read more>>