Brand Name Divination Skill
Divine creative brand name candidates based on company context, mission, and target market.
When to Use
-
User asks for brand name ideas/suggestions
-
User is starting a new company and needs naming help
-
User wants alternatives to a name they're considering
-
User describes their business and asks "what should I call it?"
Information to Gather
Before generating names, understand:
-
Business description: What does the company do?
-
Target market: Who are the customers?
-
Brand personality: Professional, playful, technical, friendly, premium, accessible?
-
Industry: What space does it operate in?
-
Values: What does the company stand for?
-
Constraints: Any letters, sounds, or styles to avoid?
Name Generation Categories
Generate names across multiple styles:
- Descriptive Names
Names that describe what the company does.
- Example: "PayPal" (payments), "YouTube" (you + tube/broadcast)
- Abstract/Invented Names
Made-up words that sound good.
- Example: "Spotify", "Kodak", "Xerox"
- Metaphor Names
Names that evoke a concept related to the business.
- Example: "Amazon" (vast, everything), "Apple" (simple, approachable)
- Compound Names
Two words combined.
- Example: "Facebook", "Snapchat", "WordPress"
- Acronym-Ready Names
Names that work as acronyms or can become one.
- Example: "IBM", "BMW", "NASA"
- Founder/Place Names
Names derived from people or locations.
- Example: "Ford", "Adobe" (after Adobe Creek)
Generation Process
-
Brainstorm root concepts from the business description
-
Generate 3-5 names per category (18-30 total)
-
Filter for:
-
Length (ideally 2-3 syllables)
-
Pronounceability
-
Spelling clarity
-
Domain likelihood (avoid common words)
-
Present top 10-15 candidates
Output Format
Brand Name Candidates for {BUSINESS_TYPE}
Based on your description: "{brief summary}"
Top Recommendations
- {Name} - {brief rationale}
- {Name} - {brief rationale}
- {Name} - {brief rationale}
Full Candidate List
Descriptive Names
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
Abstract/Invented Names
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
Metaphor Names
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
Compound Names
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
- {Name}: {one-line explanation}
Quick Availability Check
{Run quick domain check on top 3 recommendations}
Next Steps
Would you like me to run a full evaluation on any of these names?
Tips for Good Names
Do:
-
Keep it short (2-3 syllables ideal)
-
Make it easy to spell from hearing
-
Ensure it's easy to pronounce
-
Check it works internationally
-
Consider how it looks as a logo
Avoid:
-
Hard-to-spell words
-
Numbers and hyphens
-
Overly generic terms
-
Names too similar to competitors
-
Difficult consonant clusters
Example
User: "I'm building a platform that helps small businesses automate their accounting. Target market is non-technical small business owners. We want to feel friendly and approachable, not intimidating."
Then generate names using the framework, emphasizing friendly/approachable options and avoiding technical jargon.