What’s in a name? A lot apparently, as entrepreneurs, artists, and makers of all kinds spend enormous amounts of energy searching for the right name for their business, project, organization, or creation. Below, you’ll find the stories of how various successful brands, creators and entrepreneurs came up with their names.

Mike Cook

About twelve years ago, I started taking pictures with a $50 camera at my daughter’s soccer games when she was eight. I was the only parent doing it, so I became the Team Photographer by default.

Fast forward a few years, and my son David is playing travel baseball. I now have a fancier kit camera that I bought off QVC. An upgrade, to be sure, but nothing spectacular. Read more>>

Kimberly Jefcoat

When I was choosing a name for my business, I was practicing yoga often and I love the idea of opposite forces working together that create something new. It is the salty to the sweet, the peanut butter to the jelly, the yin to the yang, fierceness and vulnerability, confidence and humility. On their own, wonderful, but together….even better. Grace With Fire Photography emerged as the idea of opposite forces that come together to create something as a reflection of the balance and duality it takes to be in a creative profession. Photography is both an art and a craft. It takes intuition, skill, and a lot of practice. It’s about making the intricate seem effortless because at some point it actually does become effortless! Read more>>

Dante Josephs

The story of how I came up with the name of The Obelisk Agency is an interesting one. The best way to describe it, is that it came to me almost like a vision from the future.

I was on my drive back to Savannah from my last day at my job as a marketing designer. I was on the verge of leaving the industry of marketing and design and most likely go back to the restaurant or retail industry, as I worked in previously. Then a voice in my head told me “it is time to start Obelisk”, which didn’t make any sense at the time, because I had never thought to call a company “Obelisk” or thought much into the physical structure of an obelisk before. Read more>>

Shawn Kane

Shawnunleashed is a testament to my freedom and strength, living unapologetically and on my own terms: I’m not your average over 50 individual, stuck in the past or set in outdated ways. I’m active, engaged, and fully immersed in the social media world, proving that age is not a limitation but power. Refusing to be confined by outdated expectation’s, I created Shawnunleashed, a brand and presence that embodies confidence, and unlimited possibilities. Read more>>

Tara Jones

The journey to naming our business, Tara-Peri Chicken, was as intricate and rewarding as tracing the branches of my family tree. As a Black American woman of multiethnic heritage, I have always been deeply fascinated by genealogy. My lineage, verified and certified through meticulous research and membership in lineage societies, tells the story of a diverse ancestry that spans continents and cultures. This diversity is not just a part of my history, but the very essence of who I am, influencing every aspect of my life, including the culinary specialties which I prepare. In naming this business, I wanted to honor this heritage by creating a space that celebrates the flavors and traditions passed down through generations. Read more>>

Mary Adkins And Bridget With

Our Goodspace name is derived from Yoga Sutra 2.46: Sthira Sukham Asanam, which is a concept in yoga that explores steadiness and ease. Sthira can mean resolute, strong and courageous. It arises from the root stha, which means “to stand, to be firm.” Sukha can mean happy, easy and virtuous. The literal meaning of sukha is “good space,” from the root words su (good) and kha (space). The last word, asana, suggests the act of sitting down, inhabiting and being present. Read more>>

Lisa Ibia Owens

When I was going through a particularly challenging time in my life, I turned to my faith for guidance and asked God how I could create something that encapsulates my journey as a minority woman, transforming all the broken pieces of my life into something beautiful. The answer that came to me was the concept of a mosaic—a piece of art made from assembling various fragments to form a complete, harmonious picture. That’s how the name “Mosaic Engagements” was born. Read more>>

Coady Parks

When I was brainstorming names for my business, I took into consideration the message that it would convey. I wanted the name to represent the deeply rooted passion I have for empowering others to be authentically themselves. I chose Let Your Soulshine, because I believe that we should all feel free to radiate our light and unique beauty into the world. There is no one else on earth that is exactly like you and that is precisely why it is so important to be exactly who YOU are. Read more>>

Taudine Andrew

When we knew that we wanted to open a thrift boutique specifically to serve plus-sized women, I started playing around with names. I was looking for something that conveyed the nature of what we sell, but without being too literal or boring. I also new I wanted it to feel rich and vibrant, but accessible. Nothing too cerebral or cutesy. I tried using AI to generate a list of possible names and I hated all of them. Some were actually offensive and it showed me that as a society, we still think it’s acceptable to fat-shame. I developed my own list of name candidates and presented them to my trusted focus group for feedback. Read more>>

Steve Stern

About 14 years ago, when I came up with the idea of launching a company that would give people like screenwriters, producers and directors the opportunity to have their screenplays adapted into graphic novels and comic-book series, I was aware that many movies and tv series began their life as comics and GNs. A major part of the reason for this was that these sequential art books were in effect “storyboards” that made it easy for those involved in the film industry to visualize what their production would look like. And so, I came up with the name “Storyboard Graphic Novels,” which encapsulated our mission. Read more>>

Akiyah Tenorio

We went back and forth on a name for the business, Kiy’s Kandles, Janine’s Candles, J’s Candles. Every time we thought we found a name, we found a reason not to pick it. Either it was taken on Etsy, or we didn’t want our name in the title or it just didn’t sound right. Finally, my grandmother said, “What about Kensington Candles?” and when I searched for it on Etsy and Google I had missed spelt candles, so it was spelt with a K instead. When nothing came up, we were so excited! This was our legacy, honoring our history! My grandmother and her mother were both born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and she has always tried to name something after her beloved city. Pair it with the logo I made later that day and she was smitten! Read more>>

Jen Gayden

Choosing the name Vivian James Events was a no-brainer! My deep love for flowers and passion for creating art were gifts passed down through generations—from my Grandmommy Vivian to my mom and now to me. Although she’s no longer with us, I honored her memory by naming my daughter Caroline Vivian, inspired by everything she instilled in me. My son, Gavin James, was named after the James River in Lynchburg, VA, where I grew up. Since both of my children’s middle names hold special meaning, it felt only natural to incorporate them into the name of my business. Read more>>

Ethan Yang

Naming a business is definitely a challenge, but for Glass Box, the inspiration came naturally. I wanted to create a dining experience where guests could truly see the artistry behind their food. Too often, the preparation process is hidden in restaurants, and diners miss out on that connection with their chefs. I wanted to break down that barrier and offer full transparency – both literally and figuratively. The name reflects the restaurant’s unique design: a supersized glass-walled space that puts the kitchen on full display. With Glass Box, transparency is at the heart of everything – allowing guests to watch their meals come to life. It’s about building trust, showcasing skill, and elevating the dining experience beyond just the plate. Read more>>

Kylie Williams

Naming anything is hard, but this one came easy. The full title of the & Lived podcast is actually: I Killed Myself and Lived to Tell the Tale.

It’s the story of how I ended one life and started a new one. Just a few years ago I was deeply unhappy, ready to peace off the planet—but instead of ending my life, I put an end to the parts of my life that were killing me. I broke up with my ex of eight years, got a dog, sold my house and bought a new one, sold my car and moved into a van, sold my business, chopped off most of my hair off, and lost 80 lbs in the process. Read more>>

Teresa Robinson

The name Soul Appeal Wellness came from my personal journey with health, fitness, and self-discovery. I’ve been passionate about wellness since adolescence, and that passion carried me into adulthood as a fitness coach for several years. But it wasn’t until I went through a really difficult time in my own life that I fully understood the deeper layers of wellness—not just the physical, but the mental and emotional as well. That’s what led me to become a yoga teacher, with the goal of helping others who may be struggling. Read more>>

Angie Jimenez & Anibeliz Marquez

We wanted something that represented both of us. Angie’s favorite flower is a sunflower and Anibeliz favorite flower is a daisy. In Spanish a sunflower is called “girasol” and we figured we use the ending to incorporate our Latina roots and a play on words for “soul”, and thus Sol Daisy was born! We included “wellness” in our name since we feel massage therapy is a great additive to your overall wellbeing. Now we are Sol Daisy Wellness ! Read more>>

Sarah Mckay

I chose the name Forest and Fern Bakery because I wanted something that reflects my love for nature. I feel a strong connection to my faith in nature, and the name captures that sense of peace, growth and beauty. I find that same sense of joy and fulfillment in baking sourdough, and I wanted a name that captured that feeling-one that brings to mind warmth, simplicity and the beauty of slow, intentional creation. Read more>>

Gbemisola Adebiyi

Initially, my business was called Ruby, a name I cherished for its elegance and timeless appeal. However, as my vision expanded, I realized I needed a name that was more unique, authentic, and aligned with my identity and origins. I wanted something that would not only honor my heritage but also connect with people worldwide. Read more>>

Kelly Brown

Cavelier is about creating a space within my community that fosters inclusiveness when it comes to your choice of drink. Being social doesn’t have to be only about drinking alcohol, but about creating connection and sharing moments. It was very important to me to choose a name that gave a nod to the history of my community, Port Washington. When doing research into the history of Port Washington, I came across the name Rene Robert Cavelier, who was one of the first European explorers to discovered Port Washington. Read more>>

Lavender Moon

This story actually starts a while ago. I was exploring my spirituality and different religions. One religion I explored was Wicca. One of the topics that we discussed was a magickal name. (In Wicca, magick is spelled with a “k” at the end.) So one day I was doing the dishes and a name that truly resonated with me “popped” into my head: “Lavender Moonbeam”. Which was perfect, because I love the scent of lavender and purple is my favorite color. I also have always had an affinity for the moon. I even use the moon cycles in my manifestation practices. I have, since, realized that being spiritual, not religious, resonates best with my beliefs. Read more>>

Tori Layne

Iron Owl Films was a name selected out of a long brainstorming list in an attempt to convey both how I want to run a film set, and how I want to approach the company’s stories. Primarily, I was drawn to the feeling the combination of “iron” and “owl” gave me. Iron, for strength, stability, and resilience. Owls symbolize a wide-eyed curiosity toward the world. The freedom of flight comes to mind, the adventure of exploration and the worthwhile process of gaining wisdom. Owls, in general, are beautiful birds. Past waxing lyrical about metaphorical meanings, the name Iron Owl allows for some really cool merch opportunities. Read more>>

Gabriela Navarrete

It took me a few weeks to land on the name Monarch Ice. I knew I wanted something that felt dreamy and inspiring, something that would resonate with people and look great in a logo. I’ve always been drawn to butterflies because they represent transformation and growth, which aligns with the values I wanted for my brand. After researching butterflies, I felt a special connection to the Monarch butterfly, especially because they migrate to Mexico. As a Mexican, it added a personal sense of home and culture to the name. “Monarch” also carries a royal connotation, which felt like a perfect fit for a brand that embodies elegance, change, and strength. Read more>>

Kai Tan

RevMatch is a brand we’re deeply passionate about because it not only connects directly with the automotive community but also embodies our commitment to building a strong, engaged network. By seamlessly matching businesses with consumers, we serve as the bridge that unites fragmented experiences, creating a more connected and thriving ecosystem for enthusiasts and brands alike. Read more>>

Celine Swicegood

The name Azurom is deeply personal and multilayered. Intriguingly, “Azur” is not just a reference to the mesmerizing blue of the Mediterranean, but also a gender-neutral name of Hebrew origin meaning “helper” – a symbolism that perfectly encapsulates our travel agency’s mission.

As a native of the Côte d’Azur – the stunning French Riviera – “Azur” represents more than just a color; it’s a profound connection to my origins. The word symbolizes the pristine, mesmerizing blue of the Mediterranean Sea, a color that captures both tranquility and adventure. Read more>>

Melissa Peterson

I wanted a name that immediately reflected our mission—Divvy Music is about divvying up effort, opportunity, and profit more fairly for independent musicians. The current streaming landscape forces artists into a grind of constant self-promotion, driving fans to the big streaming apps while receiving only fractions of a cent per stream. Divvy is developing a streaming option that challenges that system by wrapping it around the creation of a sustainable ecosystem where indie musicians can thrive. Read more>>

Ashlin Endter

Naming a business is never just about picking words that sound good—it’s about creating something meaningful, something that carries a story. 4MG Mortgage stands for “For My Girls”, a name that holds the deepest significance for me. It was dedicated to my daughters, Valentina and Alessia, but over time, it grew into something much bigger. Read more>>