Ask YC: Naming a startup

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=195629

by aneesh • 18 years ago

9 14 18 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Right now, it's me and a friend hacking together a prototype, and talking with advisors/customers in the field (we're working on a biomedical app). At what point do we need to have a name? Also, how did you name your startup?

xirium• 18 years ago

> At what point do we need to have a name?

A name can stick from very early in development. See http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&s...

> Also, how did you name your startup?

See http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=152896 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=141954 and http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44745

timcederman• 18 years ago

...and http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=146695 :)

mrtron• 18 years ago

Along this thread, what are the rules for naming a product?

Could I name a news website something like mrtron.com presents Swoosh - a new social networking site for skydivers!

Or is there copywrite infringement from Nike even though its not remotely similar? How do I determine if a product name is legal/good? Does the process differ from a company name?

Could I name my product the name of a company? Could my product be: mrtron.com presents Fruits of the Loom! A social networking site sharing the results of weaving!

To answer your question...I pick funny names like the ones I just mentioned (not necessarily an existing product though)....mainly for my own entertainment. I usually figure I will rebrand later but rarely do.

lakeeffect• 18 years ago

i.skydive or we.skydive would be a better name than swoosh. Web 2.0's have lost the point that a name should describe what it is, myspace, facebook, the names are what they do. New Balance is a better name for a shoe then nike. Nike has spent a lot of money for an association to exist between shoes and nike. What i would recommend is to go with a term that skydivers would know that non skydivers wouldnt know until they dove from a plane. The niche is more closely sync'd if they can have a name that only they understand, it adds to the experience. Also people will want to explain the name to others.

scott_s• 18 years ago

http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

DaniFong• 18 years ago

Just use a codeword until you either think of somehing good or need to start selling to users, hires, or investors.

ra• 18 years ago

Main point, make sure you don't pick something that is already a trademark.

Second point, it should be memorable, and ideally - the .com should be available (even consider the .com resale market for a generic name if you have the funds)

Best of luck!

joshwa• 18 years ago

http://www.gabrielweinberg.com/startupswiki/Ask_YC_Archive#t...

keven• 18 years ago

find a funny-sounding word from Dr. Seuss books and get back to the product.. worked for a few startups

maxklein• 18 years ago

Just hire me for an IM brain storming session, and I'll help you come up with a name. No cost up front, and you send me the cash when you have a name you're satisfied with.

Not to brag, but I'm one of those creative types.

jdavid• 18 years ago

pick the worst name you can think of, it will make it easier to change it. after a few changes you will know when you have the right one. mediocre names tend to stick around too long.

tlrobinson• 18 years ago

We've gone through several company and product names. Old product names can just become code names, etc. Your official company name doesn't need to have anything to do with your public-facing product name.

They key thing is you pretty much need the .com domain name for whatever name you choose for your product. And it should be easy to spell and remember.

Personally, I don't like the current "Web 2.0" trend of making up gibberish names, or putting two semi-random English words together, but there certainly are exceptions that work well.

bigtoga• 18 years ago

Absolutely - did I write this? Sure seems to me that I did ;)

elad• 18 years ago

I think that names shape the way in which you think about your product, as well as the way that other people you talk to respond to your idea. Hence, a good name up-front is important IMHO. When trying to select a name, think about the message that the name sends, the impression that it leaves, the way it primes whoever hears it for the first time. It doesn't have to be descriptive of what you're doing, but it should probably convey your general approach to how the company should be - e.g. serious vs. fun (personally, I prefer the "fun", but it's really a personal thing).

Ask YC: Naming a startup

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