The only startup naming guide you’ll ever need: my proven framework

Synopsis

Solo episode on naming startups: three name types (bad, good, bland/'tofu') and three winning strategies (descriptive like Somewhereilive, phrases like Boss Babe, funny like You Probably Need a Haircut). Walks through bad-name failures (WhatsApp fails the telephone test, GameStop negative connotation, Google Bard sounds like 'barf'), good names that match the brand promise (Perplexity, Bump, Autopilot) and a 'Name Game' note system for capturing ideas; closes by asking Claude for names and shares his personal list (AfterParty, PrettyPerfect, InvitationOnly, InCred).

Ideas in this episode

• Card game / IP business

  Greg Isenberg's naming framework gives practical tests for whether a game or IP brand name is descriptive, memorable, funny, and easy to say.

• Brand-naming agency

  Solo episode on naming startups: three name types (bad, good, bland/'tofu') and three winning strategies (descriptive like Somewhereilive, phrases like Boss Babe, funny like You Probably Need a Haircut); walks through bad-name failures and shares Greg's personal shortlist (AfterParty, PrettyPerfect, InvitationOnly, InCred).

• ChatGPT-generated digital products