4 Steps to Come Up With A Brand Name - And How We Picked “Ignore No More”

There are a lot of great chats about naming your startup, so I thought I’d speak about how I came up with the name for my own. Yes, I own a branding agency – Ignore No More!

How to Make a Brand Name 

Brand naming can be easy! All you need to do is follow my 4-pointer list, and you’ll have the name you’re looking for. 

Let’s get started!

#1 Start with a conversational goal in mind

I have long lists of name ideas to reference when naming a client’s company, but when it came to naming my company, I had a hard time!

Eventually, I wrote down what my goal was for the agency in conversational terms, "to build brands that were impossible to ignore."

I decided to write it in conversational terms because my branding style is fun, colorful, and very eye-catching.

As soon as I saw the alliteration in the phrase "impossible to ignore," I decided to play with it a bit and stumbled upon "ignore no more." It rhymed just enough to get stuck in people's heads, and the phrase was unusual and recognizable.

#2 Focus on the hallmarks of names that stick

Ignore No More’s copywriting hallmarks are:

Names that stick often have 2/5 distinctions:

1. Have an inside joke (real or imagined: think Spanx or Singing Carrots)
2. Have a strong letter in them (high-value scrabble letters - Q, K, X, Z, Y, etc.)
3. Have a strong sound (combination of two letters like “oo” or “sh”)
4. Have a strong verb that demands emotion or action - ignore, stop, fight, fury, power, run, etc.
5. Have a promise of some sort - no, yes, always, never.

Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t think a name has to speak directly to what the product/service does. But it should speak to your product's core desire or the core fear it helps customers avoid.

When you hit emotion + recognizability, it makes people mentally rank you at the top in your vertical. It's brain SEO.

In my case, the whole point of branding and marketing is to stand out, to be “unignorable.” So, even though “branding” or “marketing” isn’t in the name, it still speaks to my customers’ core desire to stand out.

And it has alliteration and a strong verb + promise - double I’s, Ignore, and no.

#3 Google It!

Already have something in mind? Double-check its current usage!

Next up, I did a quick Google search (of course).

Any keywords to do with "SaaS," "startup," "branding," or "agency" around the phrase were wide open. There is an app with the same name but zero relation, so I didn't think people would get confused.

#4 Choose the domain

While “ignore no more dot com” was taken, “ignore no more dot agency” wasn’t. And I knew with that domain, the kind of company I was would be much more obvious.

I considered the grammatically correct "ignored no more" but decided to stick with the present tense version. Present tense shows action, and past tense subconsciously feels old, even if it’s technically correct.

Now I get DM's from people multiple times a week saying how much they love my company name/website copy. 

Let’s Recap Your Brand Naming Action Plan 

I’ve created a short action plan for you to follow and create a relevant brand name for your business. 

Identify Your Conversational Goal: Write down phrases or words that encapsulate this goal. Look for elements that can make your name memorable, like alliteration or rhymes.

Focus on Name Characteristics That Stick: Consider incorporating one or more of these traits in your brand name: A letter with a strong visual or auditory impact (like Q, K, X, Z, Y), a distinctive sound combination (like “oo” or “sh”), a strong verb that evokes emotion or action; and a clear promise or a bold statement.

Conduct a Thorough Google Search: Once you have a few names in mind, check their availability and current usage online. Ensure your chosen name doesn't conflict with existing brands, especially those in your industry. Be creative with extensions if the .com isn’t available (like .agency, .io, etc.).

Recommend read: SaaS Branding Examples

A Few Quick Examples of How to Create a Brand Name

• Google: Originating from the mathematical term "googol," the name is simple yet powerful, representing vast knowledge and resources. The playfulness of the sound makes it memorable.
• Nike: Named after the Greek goddess of victory, this name is short, powerful, and evokes the emotion of triumph, aligning with the brand’s ethos of athleticism and achievement.
• Coca-Cola: This name uses alliteration effectively, making it catchy and memorable. The name's rhythmic flow has contributed to its global recognition.

Common Pitfalls in Brand Naming

• Overcomplication: Names that are hard to spell or pronounce can hinder brand recall. For example, initially, "Häagen-Dazs" faced challenges due to its complex pronunciation.
• Cultural Insensitivity: Names that don't consider cultural implications can cause backlash. For instance, brands have faced criticism for culturally inappropriate names that failed to resonate with a global audience.
• Legal Issues: Selecting a name already trademarked can lead to legal complications. A proactive approach involves thorough trademark searches in relevant categories and geographies.

Check out how Ignore No More produces conversion lovin’ copy for clients.

FAQs 

1. How do I come up with my own brand name?

Here’s how to come up with a brand name for your company. 

1. Write down your company's goal exactly how you would explain it to a friend. 
2. See if there are words or phrases that stick out from that explanation
3. Search Google and see what words and phrases are available 

Test it out a few times with friends. Tell them the name of the company and see their reaction. 

Go with a name that you love and makes people smile!

2. How do I choose a brand name?

Choose a brand name based on whether it speaks to the core desire your product addresses or the core fear it helps customers avoid.

And has key recognizable elements like:

1. A strong letter (high-value Scrabble letters - Q, K, X, Z, Y, etc.)
2. A strong sound (combination of two letters like “oo” or “sh”)
3. A promise (no, yes, always, never)

3. What makes a good name for a brand?

A good name for a brand evokes an emotion, makes a promise or statement, and is unique enough to be recognized without explanation.