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.
Anthony Celia
Anaka was founded by Anthony and Maka. We merged our names together to create Anaka Mobile Bar. Both of us holding 10 years experience in the food and beverage industry led us to starting our own craft mobile bar! Read more>>
Clare Watson Bartolomei
Who is Lola? Are you Lola? It’s a question we get a lot. The truth is that Lola is not just one person. She is a figment of our imagination. An amalgamation of powerful, bold, creative, original women. She is here, but also everywhere. She is an idea. The next part of the conversation is my favorite, because everyone knows a Lola and they are excited to tell you all about her. And I love to hear it! Lola is you. She is me. She is your grandmother. She is your daughter. She is your nephew. She comes in so many endearing identities. When we sought to find a name we wanted a single word, with well structured typography that could communicate the strong female energy that is the driving force behind our business. Read more>>
Linda Brewer
When pondering names for my new candle business, I knew I wanted something in relation to the moon and/or universe. In my mind, I envisioned a brand that illuminated just like the moon and the stars. The year was 2021 post Covid and I wished for something that symbolized unity at a time it was needed the most. After a year of political divide, I felt compelled to create and focus on the positive. Lucine Candles was my way of spreading love, light, and unity. Read more>>
Courtney Prejean
When naming Coyote Brands, I wanted a business name that represented the entrepreneurs that dig in their heels and adapt to the ever-changing small business landscape. Coyotes find their strength in community, can adapt to their surroundings quiclkly, and are resourceful. Their scrappy nature is what every entrepreneur needs to make their dreams a reality. During the same time I created Coyote Brands, we had just purchased twelve wooded and wild acres of land to create our little homestead full of gardens and space for our kids to roam. Our first year was marked with coyotes howling night after night in the woods and even though I worried about our chickens, I loved the wild sounds of living here. Coyote Brands just feels right for both my life and to represent the clients I work with every month. Read more>>
Shirell Gallegos
The name Home Girl’s Hibachi was created by bringing a bit of my own rough past and Hispanic culture and turning it into a mix of Japanese & Chicano cultures and flavor. Growing up in NM, I made some mistakes that a lot of youth out here do. I’ve always been say- “a little rough around the edges”. Even during the hardest times of my life, one thing never changed- my love for food. Owning a food truck has always been a dream of mine. When I married Faith, it became a dream of hers too.. When Faith and I were brainstorming names for our new venture, we knew we had to bring Chicano culture into it as well as a piece of ourselves. We thought of SEVERAL names before deciding on the one. The Home Girl’s name gave us the ability to showcase who we are, and also do what we love at the same time. Read more>>
Alysha Carnell
The name SOUL/O Travel came from the idea of embracing the solo journey of a woman exploring the world, but it also reflects something deeper—the soul’s journey. Travel offers such a unique space for personal growth, healing, and self-discovery. Even when we’re traveling alongside others, each of us has our own individual path that we’re on, our own lessons we’re learning, and experiences that resonate on a personal level. SOUL/O embodies both the empowerment of solo travel and the profound connection to ourselves that comes with stepping boldly and bravely out into the world. Read more>>
Tyra Harper
I chose the name ‘Color My Voice’ for my Open Mic because I believe that every artist, whether they’re a singer, rapper, or poet, has their own unique voice that they use to tell their stories. Just like a painter uses different colors to create a beautiful piece of art, an artist uses their voice to create a unique and memorable experience for their audience. The phrase ‘color my voice’ also reminds me of the advice I received early on in my career to add more personality and flair to my performances. This advice resonated with me deeply. I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and that through music, we can share those stories with the world. ‘Color My Voice’ is a commitment to using my/your own voice to tell stories in a way that is both authentic and inspiring. Read more>>
Suzie Ford
My story was inspired by an upbringing in Kentucky where baking was a regular activity. I carried this on into college in New York City, where I found comfort and appreciation in creating delicious baked goods to share with friends. It was certainly a way I found to cope with stress or anxiety. So, when I heard about an apple pie baking competition at a local restaurant in Brooklyn (Enid’s), I was all in. I entered about 5 different years, and won 2nd place two years in a row. This was a funny coincidence that made for a great name. I started 2nd Place Pie a year and a half ago, as I was figuring out my leave from the film industry. Thinking back on my past, and the pie competition really gave me confidence in my baking abilities, enough to start this business and see what would happen! And I love that 2nd place is always overlooked, it’s kind of an afterthought, but I am bringing it to the forefront in this funny, humble, name of a pie company. Read more>>
Jasmine Evans-ragsdale
Both Kenzie’s Shades and Kenzie’s Events originates from my Angel, my daughter Makenzie. The visions of these names came to life after losing my daughter. Everything happened sooo fast… From going to my last doctor visit to 48 hrs later planning a funeral. I was no way prepared for what I would have to experience. The emotions, the questions, the feeling of emptiness. A few things I found comfort in was sunglasses and being surrounded by my love ones. The sunglasses helped me hide the emotions I really was feeling and the people helped me with their mere presence. After questioning the man upstairs, he told me to turn my pain and tears into something and I did just that. My hopes ever since then has been to bring awareness to my community about such a taboo topic. To educate and support. Read more>>
Ivana Darmawan
The name Kasih Co-op holds deep meaning for our business. Kasih is an Indonesian word that means “love” or “care,” and Co-op refers to the collaborative groups of artisans we work with. Having grown up in Indonesia and later moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA, I’ve always felt a strong connection to my cultural roots. When I started the business, I want the business to showcase Indonesian products and I want to reflect this connection by choosing an Indonesian word that was both meaningful and easy to pronounce. Our business is built on a foundation of working with Indonesian artisans, with over 55% of them being women-owned businesses. We are deeply committed to preserving traditional crafts like batik and ikat, which have been passed down through generations. Read more>>
Chris Crump
What does Anavah mean? Long before founding Anavah Talent, I was journaling about my idea vision for my professional life. I was asking myself the question, “If money was not a factor, where would I spend my time?” I decided that if money was no limiting factor, I’d choose to spend my time supporting redemptive organizations by investing my own capital into different verticals centered around improving ‘quality of life.’ These buckets are philanthropy (supporting specific causes), venture capital (fostering innovation), housing (building affordable places to raise a family), and small businesses (creating dignified opportunities). Read more>>
Tamara Curry
Our brand stems from our CEO’s admiration of her mother, Moti. Every morning growing up, she’d see her mom put her best outfits together to go to work. As she followed the same standard, she always found herself going to her mother’s room to find those perfect pieces. By living with the core value of dressing up to personally feel and look good, Moti’s House is for the women who live by this standard.Our hope is for Moti’s House to become your favorite fashion house to find your perfect pieces to live out confidently. Read more>>
Samantha Regalado-cervantes
When I first opened my business, I had no idea what to name it. You can only use sweet names and baking ingredients for so long – every name I could think of was already taken. One night as I was working on the items I wanted to be known for – I knew I wanted to make cupcakes. As I was looking into how I wanted to stand out from my competition, I knew that I wanted to specialize in cupcakes with a FILLING! To me, when you gift baked goods it’s to make the FEEL special. FEELING loved and cared for, cupcakes with a “FEELING” (cheesy a bit, I know!) but that’s how the name “It’s in the Filling” was born in October 2012. Read more>>
Julia Washington
I needed something that conveyed what I do, and I just struggled so hard with ideas. So I crowdsourced. I took it to social media. First I asked my friends and followers on my own Instagram what came to mind when they heard about what I do. From there I took that feedback and used Chat GPT to create specific prompts to help develop business names. I took the suggestions, reworked them, researched them, and then took them back to IG to vote on their favorite. Prose & Glow won. Read more>>
Alexis Shea
I’d like to think both my marriage and learning how to crochet were meant to be as my husband’s last name is Shea, it just fell right into my lap… CroShea Co. When I had decided on the name, I looked on social media to see if that handle was already taken and luckily, it was not! Read more>>
Samantha Maksutovic
Picking a name for a business can be really challenging. I struggled to come up with a name for my beauty business. After researching “the best business name,” I realized that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Many companies change their names more than once, and that’s okay. I initially wanted to include my last name, “Maksutovic,” in the business name, but I knew it would be difficult for people to pronounce and remember. After a lot of thought, my husband suggested “Niš Beauty,” named after my dad’s hometown. It was perfect, simple, and meaningful. My dad had passed away about a year after I started my business, so I wanted to do something to honor him and keep his memory alive. The name “Niš Beauty” has remained the same to this day, and both our clients and we love it! Read more>>
Jen Malavé
Genisis Fresh LLC is the name of my company. It was created from the idea of a fresh start. I was re-entering the beauty industry after leaving for over a decade and I wanted to separate myself from the norm. All of the services I offer as an Artist are eco-friendly from hair products to cruelty free makeup including my kit that I use on set for film and television productions. I wanted to keep my clients health and the environmental health in mind while creating my name and the mission behind my business. Read more>>
Erica Goree
I wanted the name to be catchy, unique, and inclusive to showcase the services that my company provided. My business provides wine tastings, as well as scheduled wine tasting events. The events include poetry night, karaoke night, etc. My very first wine event was for my birthday, where I asked my guests to bring a bottle of their favorite wine or a wine they would like to try. I provided all of the food pairings for the different types of wines. It was such as success, that it sparked the start of Wine With Good Company. I mean after all who doesn’t enjoy Wine With Good Company. Read more>>
Wesley Panther
Ancestors Distilling is a reference to my Kentucky kinfolk and the general achievements of distillation historically. “To the Spirits Passed”, a double entendre, is our tagline. This is meant to be kind of like a cheers, to honor our forefathers, and the stories that they have written. My first forefather to arrive in the U.S. came from Germany to brew beer in Kentucky and Indiana. At some point this inevitably bled into the spirits industry. My mothers family was from the infamous Land Between The Lakes, a moonshine mecca during Prohibition in Kentucky. On the other side of the state my fathers family was working up the ranks in the bourbon industry within Brown-Forman Corporation (Woodford Reserve, Early Times, Jack Daniels, etc.). My grandfather and great uncle would retire from Brown-Forman as VPs. Read more>>
Kayley Swan
My business name has been a part of me and my journey for quite some time. I have actually helped many businesses create their name as part of the branding process. However, your own business name is, of course, very different. While it tends to be daunting naming a business, deciding to move forward with Pen & Co. Branding was an easy choice. Back in college, I became very interested in hand lettering and calligraphy. I started practicing, watching tons of videos, and ended up becoming pretty good at it. Soon, I had friends and family members start asking for personalized gifts from me. I got to thinking, “What if I could turn one of my favorite hobbies into something profitable?” Then, I got to work. Read more>>
Annalyse Mone’t
In all honesty STPU is a lifestyle: Style, Twerk, Post Up — As I always say the highlight of attending any event or gathering is the getting ready portion. I wanted a name that a plethora of individuals could relate to. We’re all literally living the same life. From having a style sesh, to twerking (dancing) while doing so, to posting up at said event or even simply for social media. Now throw a thrift gem in the mix and voila STPU ‘n thrift. Read more>>
Brigita Rowe
The name “The Cedars” for our company, The Cedars Weddings and Events Venue, originates from the Abbott family estate, which has been their home for nearly 100 years. Mrs. Abbott chose the name because of the magnificent cedar trees that grace the property. She often shared with her grandchildren that on clear days, she could see Red Top Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. A passionate writer, Mrs. Abbott even had custom stationery printed with the phrase: “Writing to You from the Cedars.” Read more>>
Keena Mcbride
When it came time to name my business, SMR Pet Services, I wanted to pay tribute to the three incredible dogs who ignited my lifelong passion for animals. SMR stands for Snowball, Midnight, and Rocky—my very first dogs, each forever holding a special place in my heart. Snowball and Midnight, both German Shepherds, were the best Christmas gifts I could have asked for as a child. Snowball was the adventurous white shepherd, and Midnight was the playful tan and black shepherd.They came into my life through a family member, and two years later, Rocky, a lovable black Labrador, joined the pack. We started off fostering Rocky from a family friend, but he quickly became a permanent part of our family. Read more>>
Taylor Aselin
There was a lot of thought that went into how I chose Solstice Charms to represent my business. A solstice, is a naturally occurring marker of seasonal time. It is a beautiful event that happens twice a year in the summer and fall, and I wanted to pay tribute to the magical element of time and the changing of seasons in some way. Aside from that, solstice is also a word that declares change, and new beginnings. I was at a point in my life when I started creating the necklaces, that felt very much like a fresh new beginning, after a period of finding myself again and what I wanted to put out into the world. When the word came to me, it seemed to fit almost perfectly, and then I realized it was perfect because it coincided with exactly what I was creating. I make the charm necklaces out of pieces of old charms I find from local antique stores here in New Hampshire, as well as from old earrings and bracelet pieces of my own, or my family members, (with their permission of course!). I take everything apart, and assemble them together to create a brand new, unique piece; thus, giving new life and new beginnings to the charms themselves. So solstice is a word for myself personally, and for the process of creating the necklaces as well. Read more>>
Emily Cunningham
I chose the name Opal Haze because I wanted it to be something personal and truly meaningful. It took me about a month to fully decide but the process was so worth it. My birthday is October 1st so I am a total lover of all things opal. They are timeless and unique. There are never two that look the same. Like an opal, I want my brand to be timeless and rare. I grew up in rural, central Pennsylvania in a log cabin. A lot of the decor in our home was rustic and antique. One of the many pieces was a beautiful painting my dad bought. It was called Autumn’s Haze (Autumn is my mom’s name). I always had a sense of peace when I would look at it. I decided to use Haze because it made me think of where I came from. Read more>>
Camille Mejia
Naming a business is definitely a challenge! I knew I wanted to create a space where people could connect, have fun, and not take things too seriously—so the name had to reflect that. Pickle N Tequila came from the vibe I wanted to create: a combination of pickleball, which is active, social, and just a bit competitive, paired with the laid-back, celebratory spirit of tequila. The name captures our philosophy of keeping things lighthearted—win or lose, it’s all about enjoying the moment, meeting new people, and having a good time. Read more>>
Elle Pirmoradi
Though I have a background in jewelry, the idea to start my own brand came to me at a particular moment 3 years ago. It was shortly after the holidays, during which I received a beautiful gift from my husband, a watch from a renowned French jewelry Maison. I loved it but I did play with the idea to get a bangle instead (stacked wrists have always held a special place in my heart). So I visited their flagship store in Beverly Hills and had a look around. While of course their jewelry was stunning, I left the store (with my gifted watch) thinking I’ve seen all of those bangles on many different people so many times – if I felt that way, surely others must too. Jewelry to me is highly personal. A few days later I put on my stack and I couldn’t stop thinking about what kind of piece I would add to it if I could. If I could. Read more>>
Hannah Said
I really wanted a name that encompassed my identity. I’m biracial and I feel really appreciative and grateful for both of my cultures. My mom is from Tennessee and every summer I grew up in the south playing in rivers, in the backyard, basketball, catching fireflies and eating meatloaf. And my dad is from Iraq and I grew up with a very extensive Middle Eastern community here in Southern California. Saffron is a huge spice used in the Middle East and cowboy is to pay homage to the south. Read more>>
Mallory Of Patchwork Flower Garden
My garden got its name because the patchwork of garden beds that has taken over wherever the sun shines directly in my backyard (and soon my front yard). Patchwork and making do with the space there is also made me think of my other passion- sewing. Part of the backyard quilt also includes paths my dogs have worn down by running through the yard, As my garden expands, I have plants growing for making arrangements, saving seeds, and as a grounding practice for myself. I could not leave out our chickens, who take up a place in the patchwork and help with keeping the garden fertilized. All these things come together into the concept of Patchwork Flower Garden. Read more>>
Lindsay Ruiz
Naming a business can definitely feel like a challenge, but for me, the name of my company “human as usual” was already part of my journey long before I officially founded the company. In fact, I first wrote it down in 2020 as part of a manifesto, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, like many people, I was reflecting deeply on the world, on business, and on the kinds of changes we needed to make moving forward. I had been imagining what a startup of my own would be about and what it would stand for, and the name “human as usual” appeared naturally in my writing. It was embedded in the text of so many things I wrote, and when I looked back at those reflections this time around, I immediately knew it was the perfect name to lead my way forward, not just as a founder but as a human being. Read more>>
Shane Wilder
AREK the name actually came from a dream i had November 2017; in this dream it was like WW3. I remember still now – i was walking thru a High School hallway that looked exactly like its been through war with the ceiling falling down, lockers pushed over, pillars blocking the way to walk, crawling under beams, stepping over rocks while waving through clouds of smoke and i remember getting to the end of the hall way and trying to look through a pair of gym double doors that had blacked out windows with an active fire blazing all around the seems of the doors. Then i remember turning the corner from where i was walking down the hall way and seeing perfectly blue untouched high school lockers that had AREK spray painted in white all over it. Then turning my head to look straight down another corridor area where it had white untouched stairs that had a light beam like it was from heaven leading up to another level. Read more>>
Sarah Mark
That’s something we get asked a lot. My business is named VI Coffee Bar. The VI is a Roman numeral 6, so it’s pronounced “6 coffee bar”. I grew up playing high level soccer my entire life. I was always number 6, and people would refer to me as #6. I was a force to be reckoned with on the field. I moved away from the idea of becoming a professional athlete and started dreaming of opening a restaurant. I decided that when that dream came to fruition, I would name the restaurant “VI” which is the Roman numeral for 6, honoring my roots in the sport. 12 years ago, I promised myself that I would call the restaurant “VI” I thought it would be a clever marketing tactic, as it’s pronunciation might confuse people-some might say “vi”, “vee”, or “V-I”. This ambiguity would spark conversation and create a memorable impression, giving guests something fun to correct their friends about. Read more>>
Javy Xi
It’s funny as a creative and specifically as a recording artist I’ve gone through many periods of redefinition and reinvention which includes the name I use because there is power in a name. For most of my career I had gone by the name Anonymous XI which has a double-fold meaning the reason Anonymous because throughout history if you see a piece of art or a very powerful quote, and it’s attributed to “Anonymous” it forces us as the recipient to deal with the content of the piece as opposed to it’s creator. Read more>>
Angiebeth Avendano
When it came to Ola Design Studio, I wanted a name that honored my roots and where I come from. I needed something that could be easily pronounced in both Spanish and English and that would capture the essence of the Caribbean, the ocean, and the tropical vibes. Ola Design Studio is an interior design firm, and I wanted a name that reflected the amazing journey I go through with my clients. I was born in Miami but raised in a beach town in Venezuela, and the ocean has always been my place to reconnect and find inspiration. That’s exactly the feeling I wanted my business name to inspire: a place where creativity flows and transformation happens. Read more>>
Alison Chace
I came up with the name “Pink Kisses” as a reflection of the app’s essence and mission. The word “pink” evokes feelings of warmth, love, and positivity, while “kisses” adds a playful and affectionate touch. Together, they convey the idea of sending sweet, uplifting messages that brighten someone’s day, much like receiving a kiss from a loved one. I wanted a name that not only captures the app’s fun and flirty nature but also resonates with users looking for daily doses of encouragement and joy. Plus, it’s memorable and has a charming quality that invites curiosity! Read more>>