Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? So, we asked some very sharp folks to tell us the stories of how they came up with the names of their brands.

Jenna Rose

Before getting into Stained glass art, I was a very successful hairstylist for 16 years in multiple different states, it was my whole identity, I loved making people feel good and look beautiful. Somewhere along the last year, post covid times, and with my most recent move to Florida my love and passion for hair had died. I presented myself on social media as GOODGOODJENNAROSE – Good hair, Good vibes, and while the hair was still damn good, the vibes were not. Read more>>

Charminta (Char) Brown

I came up with my business name of Brown Joy by combining my name with my daughter’s name. My last name is Brown and my daughter’s first name is Joy. Also, Brown is a wonderful word choice for my business being that Brown Joy creates positive images of Black and Brown characters. Read more>>

Raylicia Young

I had recently been laid off from my job when I decided to begin my journey as an entrepreneur. I am a huge planner in my day to day life, and with this business I had planned every inch nook and cranny before I had even really took the leap and got started. I had this notepad where I wrote everything inside. I priced out my parties, the cost of inventory, how I would create the website, what I would email to the clients, etc. Read more>>

Alice Buswell

Growing up I have always wanted to own my own business. I have always wanted to open up my own archer range, which I very much have been thinking about more and more! But with this in mind, I have been thinking of names since I was a kid. I came up with Nature’s Arrow. Later when I was coaching archery, I was using that name. It was a comfortable name for me to use. And it really embodied who I was. Read more>>

Pooja Kumar

Guardia Vieja is a polysemic term. Literally, it translates to ‘Old Guard’. Idiomatically, it translates to ‘Old School’. In terms of Argentine Tango, it refers to an older style of music that was peppier, faster, dirtier, less arranged, and often times, simply happier. For different historians the lines are hard to draw in terms of exact orchestras, but it is considered the beginning of Argentine Tango. It was a collaborative time when Argentine Tango was coming together as a recognized type of music. Read more>>

Tracy Stephens

I was brainstorming ideas for what the club’s name would be. I went back & forth on a couple of different names. The name BLK Hiking Club didn’t come to me until I started working on the logo. All I could think was, “How can I make this name stand out?” It is easy to think you need this creative name that pops, but sometimes the simple names are the names that stick out the most. Read more>>

Courtney Carey

I developed the name of my company through my love of baking and 80s music which have been consistent passions throughout my life. Cake Me Home Tonight is a spin off the classic 80s hit, Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money, one of my favorite 80s tunes. The mission of my baking blog is to “help home bakers elevate their baking game” by providing readers with easy and delicious dessert recipes and simple baking tips and tutorials. The goal is to learn to “cake” at “home”. Read more>>

Jametta Raspberry

I am a preachers kid. The youngest of 5. On sundays we would attend church early in the morning and would often have family dinner in late afternoon. Most times we would have chicken or something that included gristle. My father really enjoyed eating that part of the meat and I did too. When most people would leave it on their plates, we would stay at the table long after everyone got up and sift through their leftovers. Taking what was left on the bones and enjoying the crunchy bits. Read more>>

Jesse Simon

Other Peoples Children was founded in 2017 as an Art Collective and in 2021 we turned it into a Talent Agency. I’ve been an agent engulfed in youth culture for almost 20 years and when people would ask me what I did for a living, I would always respond with “I work with other peoples children”. I love word play and at one time we also had studios that our talent could use for free, which we called “Child Support Studios”. Read more>>

Paige Lane

We own a three acre farmstead in Ridgeville, SC. When coming up with a name for our farm business, I wanted to pick something that explained who we are and what we do, while staying true to the size of our homestead. I cycled through several options before settling on “Lane Tiny Farm.” Lane being our family name, and “Tiny Farm” representing that we are a small family owned business. Read more>>

Marko Danial

My company is all about sharing various STEM innovations with the world, so it had to be unique. Therefore, I came up with the name Techineer by trying to incorporate technology and engineering into one word. The first element comes from technology (“tech”), while the second comes from engineer (“ineer”). I wanted the name Techineer to be short, catchy, and easily remembered by everyone! Read more>>

Nicole V

In Arabic, my co-founder’s first language, ‘amar’ translates to ‘moon.’ The word is used as a term of beauty, likening a person’s elegance and radiance to that of the moon. Rêve is the French word for dream. Together, amar and rêve make amrêve. To us, amrêve is the stuff of dreams: women’s clothing made from heavenly certified organic fabrics and cut in timeless style. Read more>>

Sarah Sullivan

After you’ve taken the risk to start your own small business, it’s almost inevitable (if you’re lucky enough) that you will need the support of friends and family along the way. Also, because we are cousins and we have a very close knit family it was immediately a family oriented business. Since we don’t sell an everyday product, the biggest way friends and family support us is through volunteering their time and learning as much about floral design and installations so they can help us. Read more>>

Cheryl Felton

I named it after my fiance Luke. When I wanted to start this business, he told me to go for it. He is my biggest inspiration, motivator, supporter, coach, teacher, and cheerleader, .He makes me feel so warm inside. So therefore I named it Lukewarm. Fly Multi is named after him as well because in prison they call him Multi because of his many talents. He added Fly in front of it because he’s conceited and thinks he so fly!! Lol!! Read more>>

Nick Ngo

I wanted people to smile when a fluffy tiger massage came out of their mouth and their eyes looking at the logo. That is my main goal: to make people feel good and happy. The business name is a metaphor for human personalities. Fluffy is the nice, courteous, kind side. Tiger is the aggressive, go-getter, ready to rumble side. It also represents the types of massage I perform. Fluffy is usually a light, comfortable touch to ease and comfort someone with cancer or a medical condition. Tiger is the sporty-deep-tissue, pretzel-twisting type of massage to get you right. Read more>>

Shantell Jennings

As a spoken word artist, I have acquired the stage name of Tell’em the Poet. I knew I wanted to intertwine my love of poetry with the art of candle making. So thus, with my poet-self presenting a new artistry, Tell’em presence Smell’em Candle Co, was born. Read more>>

LADYKONG.CO

My family name, Kongmalay, is a bit of an interesting combination for a Laotian last name, and its origins are steeped in romance. My grandparents, who were extremely in love with one another, came up with the idea to combine their family names, “Kong” and “Malay,” resulting in the name “KONGMALAY.” I shortened my family name to “KONG” for marketing reasons. However, culture’s historic ties have not been weakened. I wanted my business to be a reflection of who I am as a person and of my values as a Laotian woman raised in the United States. Read more>>

Wacera Kamawe

My last name is Kamawe which translates in Swahili to Kastone meaning a “small stone”. As a young girl, as I was growing up in Kenya, kids would often call me Kastone to poke fun at me because they knew I didn’t like it and I preferred to be called my actual name and not a nickname. However when I finally started my business, as I tried to come up with a fitting Business Name, I had difficulty settleing on one. I didn’t want to use Wacera or Kamawe and so it came to me that I should own the Kastone name and give it power. So now I gladly respond to the name. Read more>>

Tierra Steede

Figuring out the name for my business was pretty easy. My nickname has always been Tee growing up. At one point in time no one but my teachers called me by my full name. When I hear “Tee” I think of myself and who I’ve grown to be. I wanted every part of my business to represent me in some way. “Styles” represents the designs and art I”m able to produce. My vision for Tees Styles is to reach as many people as I can through my work. My business name represents me but my business logo represents me and my family. Without them I would not have had the thought to create Tees Styles. Read more>>

Shelby McKee

I was getting ready to go to a Cincinnati Bengals football game on a brisk fall Sunday. Wanting to wear ballet flats and with the temperature falling, I realized I wanted the warmth and comfort of a sock with the look of a no-show and traditional footies always fell off my feet, scrunched up in my shoes and never provided warmth. Armed with scissors and an idea, I cut a hole in a pair of knee high dress socks, slipped on my jeans and flats and off I went! I got to the game and realized…WOW, I think I have something here! My friend Campbell said, “Shelby, what are you wearing?” Read more>>

Quinn Long

I came up with the name Q.L. Creations because I do not just do one thing with my art. I create and sell my original paintings and with some of the paintings I have the images printed on t-shirts, home decor ( throw pillows, shower curtains, etc.), tote bags, beach bags, stationary and phone cases. I also make homemade soy candles and personalized gift boxes for special occasions. I love being creative and I didn’t want to limit the things I do. So I created QL Creations as the umbrella for all the products I offer. Read more>>

Melanie Kerr

The name Chauncey’s came from a YouTube video (VA$HTIE writing a KID CUDI video) from 2008/2009 video I had seen in college. Kid Cudi played a character in the video named Chauncy Wilkens McFalon who sense of humor reminded me of my own. I was and am still to his day a huge fan of Kid Cudi. Read more>>

Trenika Blevins

My great-grandparents and grandfather were the first entrepreneurs I knew. They each had their own businesses. As a child I grew up around them and their businesses and have very fond memories watching them succeed and learning how to have a strong work ethic for yourself. My great-grandparents whose last name was Bragg, had a cafe called the Cozy Nook Inn. They worked hard and all the family members who spent time at the Cafe as we called it learned how to cook or should have (I think some didn’t pay attention). Read more>>

Déthié Ndiaye Fall

The name “Plume Mauxtivée” came to me from the fact that I was at a time in my life when the roof was tipping over, I was uncertain and depressed and all that thanks to love and above all to the defects of society. This name “Mauxtivée” is derived from the word ”motivated”, meaning someone who has motivation. And all that to say that the difficult events that I had to live, the disappointments in love, the mistreatment of women among others motivates me to write. Read more>>

Lifestyle International

Years ago we were already saying that if something wasn’t cool that it wasn’t part of the lifestyle or if it was cool that it was part of the lifestyle. So we definitely wanted to use lifestyle in the name. We also wanted a name that would include everyone. International includes everyone and everyone lives a lifestyle whatever that lifestyle is. Lifestyle International fits us as we include everyone from the youngest to the oldest no matter where you are from in the world or what type of lifestyle you live. Read more>>

Aiko Finesse

It’s my birth name. My mom named me Aiko Finesse. My first name came from a Japanese movie in 1987 “Kiss of Death.” Finesse came from the shampoo company. I honestly use too hate my name because people always say it wrong. In 2011 I auditioned for 106 & Park in New York. At that time I was going by Ak Lyrics. One one the judges asked me what did Ak stand for, I told her my first name. She said is was different and unique and from that day on go by Aiko. Please was using Finesse heavy so I added it on. Read more>>

Cindy Coats

In 2012, when my business partners (Aaron Goodman and Jeff Morin) and I decided to open our first hot yoga studio in Knoxville we got a lot of questions regarding the quality and/or intensity of the heat. Previously, hot yoga in Knoxville was a room with the thermostat turned up slightly with a space heater or two in the room. We kept emphasizing the quality of heat and saying it was going to be a “REAL” hot yoga studio – meaning the “real deal” (no space heaters) and the temp would be “real hot” (not 75 degrees). After saying “it’s going to be real hot yoga” a few dozen times, the name found itself. Read more>>

Erika Anderson

WAYS is an acronym – Worry About Yo Self. My day job is a 911 Police Operator. All day I field calls for service where I have to remain calm and send help for those I need. As you might expect, many 911 calls are not at all emergency related. Many calls could be solved by minding one’s own business or as I like to say WAYS. Since I cannot express myself as I wanted during work hours, I created an outlet through WAYS Apparel. Our sassy t-shirts reminds us and others to WAYS. Read more>>

Michelle Wishart

Bell is my childhood nickname, and “Bells Rides” is one of my business/brand names. Bell’s Publishing Co, LLC is the other company I have. My publishing company, Bell’s Publishing Co, LLC, is the company I use to self-publish my fictional novels and cookbooks. Read more>>

Rasheka Lue Foung

I remember freshman year of undergrad I sat in my room watching movies all day, and I remember one scene in ‘Finding Nemo’ when Dory and Marlin are staring into an abyss, and when they enter they’re completely taken over by the darkness. The name ‘Abyss’ kind of stuck with me and over time the meaning of it slowly changed based on things I’ve learned about myself, my past and my future. Read more>>

Emma Olmedo

Floriography is a word derived from the Victorian Era. During those times, people would gift flowers to those they loved and each flower would have a meaning. (i.e. a red rose signifies love, a sunflower denotes loyalty and adoration etc.). Within my business, we use Floriography as a core value, ensuring that each and every floral arrangement reflects the love and personal style of each couple. Read more>>

Candace Jackson

My company’s name was originally named Candy’s Drinks On The Go And Mobile Bartending and started in June 2017, I recently decided in July 2021 to change my company’s name and give it something with more of a catchy vibe. My company’s name is now called Twisted Cocktails Mobile Bartending. Read more>>

Denola Burton

Enhanced DNA: Develop Nurture Achieve, LLC You will notice that my log has the DNA double helix and the name of my company is ENHANCED DNA. The DNA and the symbol relate to my scientific background. I have both a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Biology and began my career in the sciences. Mid-career, I transitioned to a Human Resources role and found my passion. For the next 20+ years, I was able to use that passion to develop and nurture others so they could achieve their goals and objectives in the workplace. Read more>>

Hunter Lewis

I was sitting in Elementary Greek II in college thinking of cool names that meant something relevant to photography and story telling and just could not think of anything. So I started googling Greek, Hebrew, and Latin words related to story’s and photography and would write down the ones that stuck out on a notecard. For several weeks I would flip through the notecards and remove them one by one until I was left with Verba M; which means “1000 words” in Latin. Read more>>

Deborah Houston

Inner Perspective Coaching was created after an extensive healing journey that led to the birth of my life purpose. I suffered one of the biggest losses for a parent and that was the loss of a child. I transitioned into a new life. I say new life because you are not the same anymore. Out of this tragedy came my purpose. It feels like it was forged from a deep well. I say deep well because I have never had to look so deep inside myself for peace, joy, and happiness. They did return and brought the gift of helping others to heal after heartbreak. Read more>>

Shannon Connelly

I get SO many questions about the name of my business! First of all, when I came up with the name I definitely underestimated how many people knew what Edelweiss was. Growing up, my favorite movie was The Sound of Music. If you are familiar with the movie, Edelweiss is a song in the film. It is also the name of a flower that only grows at the top of the Alps. I was fortunate enough to travel to Austria and Germany a couple of years before I started my business. Read more>>

Tyler Obluck

Coming up with the name for Peculiar Cookie Co. kinda came as an epiphany. I had been contemplating starting a baking business, but like most people taking that leap, I was unsure of myself. I was surrounded by the most supportive people, but still was slow to start. I mean, what was I supposed to call this company? I needed a name that was different, and represented me. I was driving one day, listening to a true crime podcast and I heard the word “peculiar”. Read more>>

Theresa Albert

I came up with the name of my small business “The Traveling Empanada”, when I decided to leave the corporate world and later teaching to create my business. The concept of my business is, incorporating my favorite dishes from around the world into an empanada. Reason why they’re named by cities, countries, and famous people. I just came up with a Texan empanada named “Willie Nelson”, (brisket and smoked Gouda). We have over 25 plus flavors. Read more>>

DeMarco Dickerson

I originally created this brand after having many run ins with the word “iconic.” I was literally hearing it every-where. I took it as a sign, put it in my design and the rest is history. I believe that the word “iconic” is one powerful word. When I think about the word “iconic,” I think of some of our current role models like LeBron James. Michelle Obama, Simone Biles, or even Patrick Mahomes. But when I think of what it means to be “Forever Iconic.” I think of some of our greatest Civil Rights Activists, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and even Rosa Parks. Read more>>

Christine Trinidad

It was important I incorporated words that resonate with who I am and who I am becoming more every day along with relating it to my business. I selected VELA because of its Hispanic interpretation of Candle. Each letter in VELA signifies the following: V is for Vision (encouragement for creativity) E is for Empowered (owning our destiny) L is for Loved (loving ourselves with all our gifts and imperfections) and A is for Accepted ( Self worth is not determined by others) Read more>>

Lynette Guy

I purchased my first vacation rental cabin in 2018. I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to name it. I knew I wanted guests to have a sanctuary where they would have freedom from the stresses of their daily life. I was also working in a job that I didn’t like and I wanted this to be the first step in achieving freedom from a traditional W2 job. I ended up naming the first cabin Freedom Finder, but knew that I wanted to purchase more in the future. That’s where the name, Freedom Finder Vacation Rentals came from. In late 2021, I quit my W2 in order to devote my focus fully on my vacation rental business. Read more>>

Mya Lee

The name of my business is Within Collection. I came up with name from a firm belief I have that comes with self-love and growth. Everything comes from within yourself, whether that’s beauty, personality, or even fashion. It shows that your true self blossoms from within you. So be true to yourself! That incorporates with my mission of my business, for my customers to identify with themselves through fashion and expression of clothing and be true to themselves! Always remember, “Everything comes from Within.” Read more>>

Kelsey Johnson

When coming up with the name of my company, people will never see the many lists of names and conversations that were had to ultimately chose Simply Enchanted Events. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart and also a Taylor Swift fan, so Simply Enchanted Events was inspired by the “Speak Now” album. I love all things whimsical, colorful and overall, just plain fun. I felt this name truly captured all aspects of that. My husband and I recently got married in November 2021 and our colors and theme represented everything Simply Enchanted Events stands for to hopefully inspire our couples to live out their best day ever! Read more>>

Tere Alston

My grandma taught me “if you can’t smell it, then you can’t taste it; you gotta gotta put love in that pot!” I received that and carried that mindset with me with every meal effort. When my passion brought me to cooking for people other than my fam I wanted to convey that love while also creating interest. My Secret Recipe is love and you taste it with each bite! Read more>>

Jessica O’Connell

I came up the name Pei and Threads because I have two Shar Pei dogs. They were my inspiration to start this small business so I had to include them in there somehow. And then THREADS came from the fact that I use so much thread to hand make all the items I offer! My Shar Pei are so loyal and always keep me company while working. The name Pei and Threads just made sense to me and it become my business name. Read more>>