How to Create A Memorable and Effective Brand Name

How to design a Brand Name

You’re at a dinner party, and someone casually mentions a relatively new product that everyone seems excited about — except you can’t recall its name. 

That brand failed to make a lasting impression on you for some reason. 

There’s a fine line between memorable and forgettable and that very line can make or break a brand. But what’s the secret sauce?

BTW: Did that image, and last line make you think: Heinz?

The Starting Point: Understanding the Significance

Naming a brand is more than slapping together catchy syllables. It’s a thoughtful process that encapsulates a brand’s identity, values, and promises. With vast experience across Heineken, Ray-Ban and Sound United, I’ve learned one critical lesson: a well-chosen name can be(come) a brand’s most valuable asset.

Brands I worked for.

Identifying the Challenges

So, why is it so tricky to pick the right name? 

Imagine naming thousands of brands under the same umbrella, like at EssilorLuxottica, if you wear glasses or contacts, most likely it came from one of their stores or brands. 

Each one needs a unique presence while harmonizing within that same corporate family. Then there are tons of factors contributing to this challenge like:

• Cultural Sensitivity: A name must resonate globally, avoiding misinterpretations across languages and cultures.

• Trademark Availability: Unique names often hit walls of legal restrictions. Elon Musk ran into tons of issues with rebranding Twitter to X.

• Market Positioning: Ideally a name should clearly reflect what the brand offers (Think Coca-Cola). Or be able to become synonymous to (think Band-Aid).

Taking the Leap: Going for and sticking to the (not yet) Perfect Name

Creating an effective brand name involves a blend of creativity, strategy and perseverance. After all a brand becomes a brand due to loading it with values and experiences over time.

Coming up with the best option that your going to stick with is not easy, but here’s and approach that might help. It’s called the QUEST approach. And here’s how it helps to simplify this complex process:

• Qualify Your Idea:
  - Clearly define the brand’s mission and core values.
  - Identify your target audience and understand their perspective.

• Understand Your Market:
  - Conduct a competitive analysis. What makes your brand stand out?
  - Stay updated on industry trends to discover gaps or opportunities.

Understanding your market

At Sound United I worked on two brand mainly, Denon and Marantz. Both high end audio, both lots of tech, but very different in terms of market segment.

Denon was always the brand to appeal to the tech-lovers in audio. Latest specs, most digital where possible. Etc.

Marantz on the other was about love for music, warmth in tone, heritage in the way the construction of an amp was setup.

• Educate Your Team:
  - Encourage a collaborative brainstorming environment.
  - Use storytelling techniques to see the brand from different angles.
  - Visualize what emotions or actions your name should evoke.

• Stimulate Creativity:
  - Mix linguistic styles. Experiment with neologisms or portmanteaus.
  - Consider traditional names if they align with your company’s heritage.

• Transition to Validation:
  - Test your shortlisted names with a focus group.
  - Ensure domain name and social media handle availability.

The Additional Elements for Success

Building a compelling narrative around your brand should not be underestimated. The brand name itself is not the magic, it’s what it will stand for over time. So the story around it, is equally, if not more, important.

You could incorporate the following storytelling techniques :

• Dynamic Flow: Alternate between telling positive opportunities and challenges to engage emotions.

• Purposeful Structure: Make sure every part of your story leads logically to the next, keeping the audience focused.

Just to assure you, you are gonna feel like it’s not going smoothly somewhere in this process, but to be honest, this process is not always straightforward. 

Encountering resistance, whether from legal hurdles to confusion, is a natural part of creating and growing a brand name. I faced plenty of times where creative visions met obstacles. Whether it was team members, the brand police, legal, you name it.

Now tell me

What’s your take on brand names these days? What’s an unforgettable name you’ve come across (or one you didn’t remember) and why it struck you that way. 

Let’s see if my experiences and tips resonate with yours. Your story might inspire the next big brand name! And if my experience can help you, let me know, I’m available.