Make Business Naming Happen

business naming

Choosing a name for your small business is an important part of getting started. You want your company’s name to be memorable, but is it ok to take a non-traditional route and embrace the comical, clever or risqué?

A more daring approach might grab the attention

of some customers, but you don’t want to turn

others off. We’ve found a few high-scoring small

businesses with names that helped the owners

carve out a unique industry niche…with a touch of

whimsy. In the name of inspiration, read on.

French lessons are not required, but they do help to understand the message this business name and logo put out there: We sell cheese! Plus, the play on words demands that you smile.

www.cestcheese.com

C’est Cheese Santa Barbara, CA

Don’t sprain your brain. You’re reading it right. It’s a fun twist on a common word that first captures people’s attention and then draws them in with the promise of a fabulous, speedy indoor tan.

www.tanfasticnj.net

Tan Fastic Tanning salon; Jackson, NJ

If you’re selling a dead technology, lean into it. This company uses clever word play to amuse customers and put a promotional spin on its outdated wares.

www.vinylrestingplaceusa.com

Vinyl Resting Place Record store; Portland, OR

Replacing the word “connection” makes a strong link between the movie title and the product. It’s both clever and spot on — you know that French sweets are just a click away.

www.thefrenchconfectionco.com

The French Confection Bakery; Online store

O.

Lawn maintenance isn’t always top of mind, but when it is, this business name — referencing the popular TV show is easy to recall. It also paints an image of professionalism, organization and high standards.

www.lawnandorderpm.ca

Lawn & Order Lawn maintenance firm; Uxbridge, ON

This name says it all: Vietnamese food with Southern California flare. And if you’re paying for the zip code, you might as well leverage it.

www.9021pho.com

9021-Pho Vietnamese restaurant; Beverly Hills, CA

Turning a negative into a positive is clever but risky. Taking this approach requires a sense of humor, and confidence that people will laugh along with you. With salted, battered fish — it works.

www.asaltandbattery.com

A Salt & Battery Fish and chips pub; New York, NY

You typically can’t go wrong by combining a pun with a claim of high quality. The name clearly conveys that the company sells furniture and that customers will have a cozy, positive experience.

www.sofasogood.ca

Sofa So Good Furniture store; Vancouver, BC

While others are out making a name for themselves, this company takes the opposite approach. The understated moniker might not work well for a bridal boutique, but for a hip clothing store in Los Angeles, it’s perfect.

www.anonymousla.com

Anonymous Clothing store; Los Angeles, CA

This company — which specializes in making custom drapes for theaters — has a name with some dramatic flair of its own: a little snark, but also a perfect dose of “punny” possibilities.

www.sewwhatinc.com

Sew What?, Inc. Custom theatrical draperies and fabrics; Rancho Dominguez, CA

Cute? Yes. But rhyming words aren’t just ear catching; studies indicate that rhyming creates a cognitive bias that makes people believe a statement is true.

www.gooodfrickinchicken.com

Goood Frikin’ Chicken Mediterranean restaurant; San Francisco, CA