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.
Ebony Stevenson
The first name I came up with for my business was Ranee Lips. Ranee is my unique spelled middle name. Ranee is also my mom and sister’s middle name. A few months later, I wanted to change it to something more unique. I thought about changing it to Delicious Lips because I knew my products would be delicious in a delightful way. Then I told myself if I ever have this product in the store that I didn’t want kids coming across it as edible. Read more>>
Natrosha Miller
I came up with the name of the company; Social Sis Media by focusing on who we serve, where we serve them and what we serve. Most of our clients are women-owned business owners, which we called sistahs. Our services focus on helping small businesses improve their marketing on social media platforms. S.I.S stands for success in sales worldwide. Read more>>
Tyra Dizon-clark
Virago means a strong, brave or warlike woman: a woman who demonstrates exemplary and heroic qualities. I chose the word virago because I’m surrounded by so many women in my life who really honor the word. From my mom, to my wife, my grandmothers, my aunts, my cousins and my friends- they are all amazing women who inspire me to be a woman who strong, brave and live as her true self. Read more>>
Sarah Yant
We looked to our native plant palette, so our company name, Twistleaf, is inspired by the twistleaf yucca (Yucca rupicola). Its leaves have evolved to funnel water to the center of the plant during rains, and it also has a beautiful symbiotic relationship with the yucca moth. These are some really interesting and uplifting ecological adaptations for Central Texas and our tough climate. We’re in love with this evergreen, drought-tolerant plant, and we all need to find inspiration as our region faces challenges from booming development, population growth, increased water demands and a changing climate. Read more>>
Emma Zack
Before Berriez was Berriez, it was ‘Fruity Looms.’ I came up with ‘Fruity Looms’ as many of the vintage pieces I was selling had fruits on them. Also, fruit became central to the brands’ ideals of inclusivity and representation: humans, like fruit, are uniquely vibrant, sweet, and desirable at any size, shape, or shade. Eventually, ‘Fruity Looms’ was written up in NYLON magazine, which not only put us on the fashion radar, but also on to Google – where Fruit of the Loom found us and promptly sent us a cease and desist letter. I received the cease and desist while on a beach vacation, and I remember being SO upset – a large corporation was about to take away everything I’d built (and had ruined the last day of my vacation!). Read more>>
Infanint James
We came up with the brand new ‘Th4nks For Nothing’ back in 2012-2013. The idea here was as simple as it reads, thanks for nothing. It represents all the lack of help we received when creating this brand. The idea here is thanks, we did it ourselves and you can too! The irony in this narrative is that we spend majority of our time helping other bigger companies with their ideas. Our slogan is “Everyone Needs A Hand” which represents us giving a helping hand to create content for those brands in need. Read more>>
Ben Velarde
I must’ve thought about it for at least a year. If I wasn’t working or studying new woodworking techniques, then I was thinking of a business name. Naturally I wanted it to be catchy, and I didn’t like the idea of using my name. I wanted my future employees to feel included and be proud to represent a brand versus just working for someone’s company. I’ve always been able to think of witty phrases when joking around but couldn’t seem to land on something I loved now that I was taking it serious. Read more>>
Tequilla Nicole
I used my name because T. Nicole is the woman I am now; ever changing and growing. Who takes calculated risks, goes against the grain, and who is not afraid to be exactly who I am. T. Nicole was the suppressed side of me that I am now showing. Before I was a worker with dreams who followed the blueprint given for life but I always knew there was a better and different way. I was chastised for being different all my life but now I embrace it and know I am a badass that marches to the beat of my own drum and I am going to do ish my way. Read more>>
Michelle Moses.
My company’s name was born from an improvisation that works so perfectly that it seems intentional. After tossing out so many names that just didn’t feel right, I decided to name my company after my daughter, Mila. I was set on Mila and Company and started drawing up the documentation to make it official. During that process, I realized how common the name “Mila” was and saw many already established businesses with Mila in their company name. With my daughter’s blessing, we decided to flip the first letter. “Wila” & Company was born. It was unique and complemented our refillable wooden wick candles perfectly. Read more>>
Sade Harvison
Lo’Tuz (lotus) is the name that I chose for the main character of my book series. The Lotus flower is my favorite because in order for it to grow, unlike most flowers it needs the darkness to flourish. The thicker the mud it has to grow through the more beautiful it will become. I feel like that has been the metaphor of my life, so I decided to name my company after the Lotus flower. Read more>>
Chad Singer
Coming up with a business name and logo are always one of the struggles a business owner first goes through. Being a dog training business there are a ton of dog trainers out there with every name you can think of. I wanted our name to be different so we spelt out “Canine” instead of abbreviating it as “K9”. Read more>>
Dinyell McNair
Women Who Start is a name that I felt was most relevant to the type of business I wanted to start. I wanted to help women who needed assistance in starting their small business, start building their small business and/or start growing their small business. Read more>>
Tristan Taylor.
The name Beauty and A Cocktail was created by putting two things together that I enjoy doing. I am a licensed esthetician and I’m big on beauty like makeup, lashes, facials etc. I also enjoy creating cocktails. I love to host and entertain my family, friends, and clients so I combined the two and came up with my name for my brand. Read more>>
Michelle Ellis
As I was thinking about my purpose in life and was on a mission to create something to recognize young people, I thought about creating a youth awards program. My goal was to seek out and spotlight exceptional youth. When I thought about the name for the nonprofit what came to mind was recognizing YOU. Meaning recognizing the youth. That’s when I came up with The YOU Awards International. The “Y” represents Young, The “O” represents Outgoing and The “U” represents Uplifting. We serve others which makes it all about YOU! Read more>>
Faibein Davis
I came up with naming my brand Mindzet because music is powerful it can change your mindset in so many ways. If you look up the Latin letter S it looks more like a Z. I learn to be successful in life you have to be different and what I mean by being different is just be you. No one else is like you! Read more>>
Belén Rodríguez
The Story of Quebracho Empanadas noun, \ kā-ˈbrä-chō \ Spanish, quiebra hacha, literally, the axe breaker. A hardwood tree native to South America. Its highly dense wood produces long burning fires, making it the preferred type of firewood in Argentina for a traditional asado gaucho. Read more>>
Amy Gerhardt
In August of 2017 I decided to start my business. I wanted to choose a business name that was able to be used as a domain name as well. I searched for my name as a business and discovered that it was already being used by another photographer. I started a list of possible business names that would work for my photography. I must have worked on that list for a month. Nothing felt right. Nothing sounded like me. Read more>>
Conrad Wright
I couldn’t decide which career path i wanted to follow and I remember telling myself “I just need to stay focused” and develop and a plan to get out of the situation I was in. So whence the name “Stay Focused ” my computer tech added on Digital Imaging so I stuck with that. Stay Focused Digital Imaging , I combined freehand art with digital art. Read more>>
Ashley Kennedy
The name Zentry reflects my mission to assist my clients with cultivating sacred energy and experiences into their world. It’s a combination of the words Zen and Triangle. Zen represents the aura and atmosphere you can expect from an energy healing session or a jewelry piece. Try (Triangle) represents my lifelong obsession with triangles and the number three. Read more>>
T’Quondra Harris.
Que by Quon Candle Co. is all about me! My company name is a combination of my nicknames Que and Quon so essentially the products are me by me. All of the products are handmade and are a reflection of the positive vibes that radiate when I am making products. When making products I am able to be uniquely and unapologetically me. I absolutely love what I do! Read more>>
Anitra L. Sayers
business was and still is called Signature Events by Anitra. When I decided to expand into catering I wanted the businesses to be separate but still a reflection of one another. As a cook I have certain spices that are a go to for me. Like I will dash them on just about anything and then use other complimentary spices. Read more>>
Monique Chappell.
Meilani Educational Services is named in honor of my daughter who unfortunately passed last year. I was 29 weeks but measured 27 weeks. Once it was confirmed that she was stillborn, I was given medication to help induce labor. After her arrival they let me spend time with her in my room before taking her away. Her onesie had flowers and bumblebees on it. Hence, why I do business as Bloom N’ Bee’s. Read more>>
Mint Moving.
There wasn’t any “A-ha” moment where our name came to us. We had a group brainstorm to come up with a giant list of potential names. No idea was off the table. After this brainstorming session, we decided to take a road trip out West, during which time we would widdle down our choices and the choice would become clear to us. The trip was incredible, but the company name discussions got put on the backburner. We returned a week later with less of a clue than when we left. Read more>>
Jill Lynn
Home decor, like fashion, has trends. Trends are like a revolving door, what comes in eventually comes out. I didn’t want the word “home” in the name, because there is so much more to a home. All of someones possessions/assets plays into who they are and that is my main focus. My designs are a reflection the person I’m working with. Read more>>
Greg Jemison
The name Nubian Serenity comes from my understanding the importance if embracing what makes me who I am as a person of color. It also displays the importance of embracing ones blackness and finding peace with in ourselves by holding on and loving who we are as a people. Read more>>