Coming up with a good business name is almost as important as having a great idea or service. It’s not just about having something short, catchy and memorable – you need a relevant name that can grow with your business. And, if that wasn’t enough, it needs to be available.

Get ready, as we give you our top tips on how to come up with a business name, so your brand isn’t just stuck on the tip of the tongue.

Come up with a business name today with the help of Adobe Express.

What makes a strong business name?

Names carry meaning – whether it’s a place, person or a business. That’s why it’s important to give your business the right name. It’s going to impact everything, from how your business is perceived to the design of your branding.

So, what makes a strong business name?

• Originality. The more original you are, the easier it is to stand out against the competition. However, try to consider your industry – you may not want a punny name if you’re a serious law firm, even if you would stand out.
• Memorability. Short and sweet names that are easy to remember are ideal (and short names will fit any social handles too). Don’t rely on provocative gimmicks – instead, think of something positive and catchy. “Pane in the Glass” might sound fun at first, but you may not be taken seriously.
• Relevancy. Originality is good, but if your name is not relevant it could undermine your business and make you look less legitimate. Try to stay relevant to your business and your industry.
• Associations. When choosing a name, you need to consider more than just the meaning as words can come with other connotations. Consider what your name might mean both at home and in other markets you might want to reach into.
• Scalability. If all goes well, your business will grow. Pick a name that can grow with the ambitions you have for your business. For example, if you name your business after a street, it may be fine while you’re a small enterprise, but as you expand the name may lose relevancy. There are exceptions though, for example, if your location has a significant impact or association with your business.

How to come up with a business name: 12 tips from Adobe Express.

Knowing what to consider is one thing, but coming up with a business name is another. Whether you’re going through a rebrand or starting something new, get your creative hat on, a comfy chair and maybe a coffee – it’s time to give your business the name it deserves:

1. Brainstorm your initial ideas.

There are lots of ways to brainstorm your ideas, but one of our favourites is an emotional brainstorm. That means you’re not just thinking of names – you’re thinking of how your target audience might respond to those names and the kind of emotions you want to elicit.

For example, if you’re a personal trainer you may want to create a name that inspires grit, determination, strength and fitness – though there’s always room to play with expectations based on your unique offering. Use a mind map to draft out your ideas, making sure to refer back to your business plan to align with your values.

You’ll also want to consider how your company name will look on business cards, social channels, and other media.

2. Experiment with acronyms.

Many companies use acronyms as they’re easier for people to remember – do you think of the British Broadcasting Corporation or the BBC? Just be careful that your acronyms don’t spell out a name you’d rather avoid by mistake – R.I.P isn’t the most settling business logo to receive on a parcel in the post or to see on a billboard.

3. Write out your brand story.

To get a name that really resonates with your company, you can write out your brand story to get a sense of your roots and mission. Writing out your story gives you a chance to reflect on your business intentions and where you want it to go, which can be fantastic for creating a name that’ll stick.

Learn more about brand storytelling with Adobe Express.

4. Test out using your own name.

There’s no better way to show pride in your company than by using your own name – and plenty of other brands do it too:

• Adidas, after Adolf “ Adi” Dassler.
• Abercrombie & Fitch.
• Aldi, which is short for Albrecht Discount after owners Karl and Theo Albrecht.

This shows that you can play with names and nicknames, or go for something more simple, such as John’s Jewellers.

5. Don’t just analyse your direct competitors.

See what works for your competitors, both in terms of naming conventions and keywords that they may be ranking for – but don’t get too absorbed in imitation. Sometimes, you can look for inspiration elsewhere and learn from companies operating in other industries. You might find something that really helps you set yourself apart.

6. Get outside perspectives.

Take a step back to try and see if your product or business reminds you of anything else, or try to recruit the perspectives of friends and family. They may make connections you haven’t yet noticed.

You could build out a logo for each business name idea using Adobe Express, then show them to your friends and get their immediate thoughts and reactions to each one. The best one wins. If you’re undergoing a rebrand, you could run the same test with your customers or followers on social media.

7. Go geographic.

Base your business’ name on your location, a place that speaks to your values, or on an area important to you personally. I ngvar K amprad grew up on a farm named E lmtaryd in the village of A gunnaryd, and now IKEA has become a staple of flatpack furniture and home decoration.

8. Try multiple ideas.

Got a few ideas that you enjoy but aren’t quite sticking? Try mixing them together. Combine words together to create new ones with the right vibe. Add the initial letter from your surname to other words, or use your hometown in an anagram together with key ideals. Try play around and see what works for you.

9. Use words that inspire you.

Words instantly inform your audience of what you’re about – call yourself Spartan Supplements, and people will instantly draw parallels to strength and power. Likewise, a UK-based surfing company might opt to name themselves after a local beach, or something synonymous with the surfing scene.

10. Check for availability.

There are a lot of businesses out there, so before you settle on that one perfect name you should check for availability. You may also want to check there aren’t any similarly named businesses that might dwarf your own – creating a dependable e-commerce store named Amazons might leave you feeling a bit overshadowed.

11. Think about word play.

Thought of a name that resonates but isn’t available? Or maybe it just fades into the background? Coming up with a business name can be easier than you think when you experiment with spelling.

There are examples of this everywhere, from Tumblr to Flickr as well as Reddit, Lyft and Netflix. It could be as simple as changing the spelling, so it still works phonetically (L i ft), removing letters (Flick e r) or combining a phrase into a word (Reddit, Read It.)

12. Use a name generator.

If you’re really stuck, try a business name generator. You don’t have to commit to any of these names, but they could point you in the right direction. Take note of what piques your interest and try to experiment. You can get a lot of name ideas in a short span of time and just jot them down to adjust later.

Free business names and brand logos to inspire your own.

How to register a business name in the UK.

Once you’ve come up with a business name and you’re happy with it, it’s time to register your business.

In the UK, you need to go through the following steps to register your new business name:

1. Visit the gov.uk company registration page. To register your new business, you’ll need to register it with the Companies House online.
2. Check availability. Before you do anything, you need to be certain that your desired business name is available. Visit the company name availability checker to ensure the name has not been registered or trademarked.
3. Provide an address. Ensure you’ve got a physical address to register the company to – even if it’s not your business premises. This address will act as the location for legal correspondence.
4. Choose a structure and directors. Decide whether you are a sole trader or partnership business and appoint the relevant directors. You’ll also need to complete some documentation around this point.
5. Register. Once all that is out the way, you’ll need to register with Companies House. If successful, you’ll get the documentation needed to prove your business is registered and permitted to operate.
6. Pay fees. Finally, you’ll need to pay any formation fees (about £50 to sign up online or £71 by post) and register your business with HMRC.

Starting a new business for the first time? Learn more about starting and marketing a new business with Adobe Express.

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Good to know.

How do you check if a business name is taken?

To check if a business name easily you need to visit the Companies House company name availability checker online.

When should I trademark my business name?

If you are certain you’re going to use a business name, then you should register it as a trademark ASAP. Just consider that registering your business name as a trademark is not free, and that if you do not use it in five years, you could lose the trademark and the money you spent.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our  pricing page for details and to compare plans.