The Right Name Isn’t Just Creative — It Resonates

You’re not naming in a vacuum. Get input from people who will use, buy, or represent the brand.
Validation helps test your short list for clarity, tone, memorability, and cultural fit. The goal isn’t consensus—it’s confidence that your name works for your market and mission.

Why it's Important

Helps identify unintended meanings or misinterpretations
Gauges whether your name is memorable and aligned with your tone
Involves key voices early so you don’t face pushback later
Uncovers cultural or linguistic concerns you might have missed
Builds internal and external confidence in your brand decision

How to Implement

Define what you’re testing: clarity, relevance, tone, uniqueness, pronunciation
Create a short list of 3 to 5 finalist names with basic context (but no logo or design yet)
Set up interviews or surveys with a mix of customers, investors, and team members
Ask consistent questions:
What does this name make you think of?
What product category would you guess this is in?
How easy is it to say, spell, or remember?
What emotions does it trigger?
Run a lightweight A/B or preference test with prospective users
Track patterns in feedback rather than one-off opinions
Watch for strong reactions—good or bad—because apathy is the real risk
Make a decision, but clearly document why you chose what you did

How You Know You Got It Right

Stakeholders feel excited or aligned—not confused or resistant
Customers can repeat or recall the name after one exposure
Feedback supports the intended emotional and strategic direction
No major red flags emerge around meaning, tone, or misinterpretation
You still like the name after seeing it in different contexts
Teams begin to naturally use the name in conversation
The name holds up when paired with different messaging and product examples

Real-World Examples

Slack

Validated for simplicity and tone in early team testing; originally considered more technical-sounding alternatives

Asana

Explored potential cultural misunderstandings and settled on a name that matched the brand’s calming, organized ethos

Loom

Chose a short, evocative name that users found easy to say and connect with video storytelling

Make It Better

Don’t explain the name—let people react naturally
Use qualitative insights alongside light scoring (e.g., 1–5 on clarity or appeal)
Include internal stakeholders who represent future scale (like sales or CS)
Test across cultures or regions if you’re building a global brand
Revisit emotional responses over intellectual reasoning—buyers feel before they analyze

Don't Make These Mistakes

Running a public poll that makes your name feel up for debate
Over-indexing on what’s safest instead of what’s distinctive
Letting one negative opinion override the pattern
Ignoring emotional confusion, even if the name sounds clever
Presenting names with logos or designs that bias responses