How to Choose a Company Name That Stands Out [+Examples]

Have you ever brainstormed a company name for hours, only to realise it either sounds like a law firm from the ‘80s, a forgotten garage band, or worse - it’s already taken?

And nothing kills the excitement of launching your dream faster than hearing, ‘Wait, who are you again?’

On the good side, a standout company name doesn’t require you to channel your inner Shakespeare.

So, how to choose a company name? With a few smart strategies, you can land on a name that’s memorable, unique, and actually works for you.

How to choose a company name: 7 strategies to get your creative juices flowing

Choosing the right company name is a strategic step in building your brand, and the following tips will help you come up with some fresh ideas.

1. Keep it simple and memorable

Brands that win are the ones their customers can immediately say, spell, and remember, without pausing.

Names that are simple do more than just sound nice. They reduce cognitive load, making it much easier for people to:

• Find you online,
• Share it with your friends, and
• Recall your name when it matters most.

Did you know that names with fewer than 4 syllables bring significantly better recall?

When you get too fancy with spelling, such as using weird letters, invented words, or odd punctuation, you might stand out, but not in ways that help.

Instead, you risk confusion: customers mishearing, mistyping, or simply forgetting.

So yes, while a creative twist can work, clarity should always be your first priority.

Make the name roll off the tongue, be easy to spell when overheard, and stick in the mind without effort.

Real-world example: How dropping letters can drop your brand?

Remember when Standard Life Aberdeen tried to get fancy and rebranded as “Abrdn” back in 2021?

They dropped most of the vowels, thinking it would make them look sleek, modern, and digitally savvy. Sounds cool on paper, right?

Well, not so much in real life. People couldn’t figure out how to say it, spell it, or even take it seriously. The name got mocked, confused, and kind of lost its credibility.

By 2025, they decided enough was enough and brought the vowels back, returning to “Aberdeen Group plc”, all in the name of clarity and cutting out distractions.

What can you learn from the Aberdeen example:

• If you drop letters, test out pronunciation and spelling with actual people.
• If the name feels too ‘trendy,’ it might undercut trust.
• For long-established clarity and heritage often count more than modern cleverness.

2. Make it unique and distinctive

Your company name is the first impression you make on potential customers.

A unique and distinctive name sets you apart from competitors and makes your brand memorable.

Why does uniqueness matter?

• Distinctive names are easier for customers to recall, search for, and recommend.
• A unique name reflects your brand's personality and values, helping to build a strong emotional connection with your audience. A name fueled with character can spark interest and draw in audiences.
• The more distinctive your brand name, the more likely it is to qualify for trademark registration and to hold up in court.

8 brainstorming techniques for memorable names

Here are several effective brainstorming techniques to create unique company names that stand out:

Get inspired: Catchy, clear, and unique name ideas that work

To fuel your creative process, here’s a list of unique, memorable name ideas for some of the most popular industries.

1. Tech / Software

• Luminex: Evokes light, innovation, and clarity.
• CodeBloom: Growth-focused, perfect for SaaS or dev platforms.
• Nexora: Futuristic and memorable.
• PixelNest: Creative and playful, great for design-oriented tech.

✨ Real-world example to inspire you:

Anthropic: An AI safety and research company, its name suggests a focus on human-centric AI development.

2. Health & wellness

• MindSpring: Suggests mental clarity and personal growth.
• Purevia: Clean, natural, and modern.
• Wellora: Approachable and easy to remember.

✨ Real-world example to inspire you:

Florasis: A beauty brand emphasising sustainability and cultural heritage.

3. Food & beverage

• Brewly: Casual, fun, perfect for coffee or craft beverages.
• Craveory: Evokes desire and indulgence.
• Zestella: Bright, fresh, and appealing.

✨ Real-world example to inspire you:

Crunch & Munch: A fun and catchy name for a snack brand.

4. Fashion & apparel

• Threadly: Playful, approachable, and modern.
• ModaVibe: Trendy and easy to remember.
• UrbanLoom: Perfect for streetwear or contemporary fashion lines.
• DapperDaze: Great for menswear or casual chic.

✨ Real-world example to inspire you:

Top it off: A fashion brand name suggesting the finishing touch to an outfit.

5. Finance & fintech

• Finovara: Tech-forward and distinctive.
• Moneta: Simple, classic, but with a modern twist.
• Credora: Easy to pronounce and brandable.

✨ Real-world example to inspire you:

Finastra: A financial services software for lending, payments, universal banking, and treasury and capital markets.

3. Claim your name: Avoid legal headaches before you launch

Before you get too attached to your brilliant name idea, you must ensure it's not already in use. Here's how you can check:

✅ Companies House name availability checker: The official UK government tool allows you to search for existing company names to see if your desired name is already taken.

✅ Trademark search: To ensure your name isn't already trademarked, use the UK Intellectual Property Office's (UKIPO) search tool.

Once you've confirmed your name is available, it's time to protect it legally:

✅ In the UK, as long as you’re actively using your company name in business, the Companies Act 2006 gives it legal protection. Basically, it stops others from running around using a name that’s confusingly close to yours.

✅ Trademark registration: For stronger protection, especially if you plan to expand internationally, consider registering your company name as a trademark with the UKIPO. This grants you exclusive rights to the name within the UK.

Even if your company name isn't registered as a trademark, using it consistently in commerce can establish common law rights.

However, formal registration provides stronger and more enforceable protection.

💡 How to quickly find the name for your company with ANNA?

Did you know that with ANNA, you can immediately check if your desired name is taken, but also register your business and open a business account at the same time?

Ah, yes, the Companies House fee is on us.

4. Choose a strong domain name

Securing the corresponding domain name is important both for legal protection and online presence.

4.1. Start brainstorming

Start with your brand name or a few key keywords.

Play around with online domain name generators, such as Namelix, Instant Domain Search, or similar tools to spark ideas.

Keep relevance in mind, but don’t stuff keywords or settle for generic phrases. Aim to come up with 5–10 short, memorable, and easy-to-spell options.

4.2. Keep it short and simple

Short names are easier to remember. Try to stay under 15 characters and steer clear of hyphens, numbers, slang, or weird spellings that confuse people.

Say your options out loud. If you don’t like it, there is a big chance your audience won’t like it, too.

4.3. Choose the right domain extension (TLD)

Whenever possible, opt for a .com since it’s the most credible and memorable.

But niche or geographic TLDs such as .ai, .app, or .nyc can make sense if they match your brand.

Consider what your audience expects and how the TLD might affect SEO.

If you can, have alternative extensions to protect your brand.

4.4. Check availability and legal things

Search across multiple registrars, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains, to make sure your domain is free.

Double-check that it isn’t trademarked or legally restricted, and do a WHOIS lookup to see the domain’s status, expiration date, and other relevant info.

💡 Don’t forget about social media handles

• Keep handles short, simple, and easy to spell: This helps the audience recall and avoids confusion. Use only letters and numbers allowed by platforms.
• Reflect your brand or niche: Your handle should resonate with what your business represents and appeal to your target audience.
• Prioritise consistency across platforms: Choose handles that you can use on multiple social media networks exactly or with minimal variation to strengthen brand recognition.
• Consider handle longevity: Avoid trendy or product-specific words that may become outdated. Choose something evergreen that will grow with your brand.
• Secure your handles immediately: Social handles are first-come, first-served, so once you pick a good one, register it quickly on all relevant platforms.
• Securing a matching website and social media handle makes marketing much easier.

5. Reflect your brand and values

Your company’s name is a powerful tool that communicates your brand's essence, purpose, and commitment to authenticity.

5.1. Align with your core values

Think about what your brand truly stands for. Is it sustainability? Innovation? Inclusivity? Community?

Your name should give people a sense of that.

For example, if your brand champions eco-friendly practices, choose a name that evokes nature or sustainability.

It will instantly signal your values and draw in like-minded customers.

5.2. Tell a story

The best names often tell a story or spark curiosity. They could come from mythology, nature, culture, or even a clever play on words.

Take Nike, inspired by the Greek goddess of victory. It immediately conveys strength and aspiration.

Your name doesn’t have to spell out what you sell. It just needs to show customers who you are and what you stand for.

5.3. Keep it authentic

Trendy names might get attention, but they won’t win trust if they don’t reflect your true mission.

Authenticity matters a great deal, especially when people can instantly sense something that feels ‘off.’ A name that feels real builds loyalty and makes customers want to stick around.

5.4. Be culturally smart

If your business might reach international audiences, consider cultural nuances. A name that works perfectly in one place could have awkward or negative meanings elsewhere.

Do your homework to make sure your name resonates globally, or that at least it doesn’t accidentally turn people away.

6. Choose a name that can grow with your business

When picking a company name, think long-term. Avoid names that tie you too closely to a single product, trend, or location.

For example, if you start with ‘London Cupcakes’ but later want to expand nationwide or even globally, you might run into branding headaches.

Rebranding down the line can be expensive and confusing for your audience.

So, to avoid stress and extra costs, opt for a flexible name. It should feel just as relevant if you diversify your offerings, enter new markets, or pivot your business model.

Think of Amazon. It started as an online bookstore but chose a name that could, and did, grow with them into a global eCommerce giant.

A forward-thinking name positions your business for expansion from day one, giving you room to innovate without limits.

💡 A quick tip to pick a name for growth

Test your potential name against a ‘future scenario’ checklist:

• Could this name work if we expand internationally?
• Would it still make sense if we launch new product lines?
• Does it feel tied to a fleeting trend, or is it timeless?

The goal is simple: Choose a name that grows with your business, not one that boxes you in.

That way, your brand can evolve naturally without losing the recognition and trust you’ve worked so hard to build.

7. Test your name and get feedback

Before you make a final decision, run your top name ideas by a few people in your target audience.

How do they react? Does the name convey the right vibe? Testing helps make sure your name actually connects the way you hope.

Here are strategies that can help you do proper name testing:

How to choose a company name that stands out: Wrapping it up

Choosing a company name that stands out is a strategic move that can shape how people see your business for years to come.

From keeping it simple and unique to making sure it reflects your brand values and leaves room to grow, the right name is the first big step in building trust and recognition.

And once you’ve found ‘the one,’ you’ll want to make it official fast.

That’s where ANNA Money comes in handy.

Not only can you check if your dream name is available, but you can also handle the same-day company registration and even get help with taxes, all in one place.

How to turn your perfect company name into a real business with ANNA?

ANNA Money is an all-in-one account that bundles together:

• Company registration with Companies House,
• Business banking,
• Invoicing,
• Receipt handling,
• Expenses,
• Bookkeeping,
• Tax, and
• Payroll reminders.

This way, we take the hassle out of the admin side, so you can focus on the fun part: building a brand that truly stands out.

How can ANNA help?

✨ Check if your dream name is taken, register a Limited Company with the Companies House fee on us, and open a business account with ANNA at the same time.

✨ Verify your identity with Companies House because we are an official Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). It means we’re approved to handle the identity check for you.

✨ Create a virtual office address you can use as a registered office address to protect your privacy and simplify mail handling.

✨ Get registered for VAT and have it calculated and filed through our services.

✨ Connect your business and personal accounts to get a complete picture of your finances

✨ Get help with bookkeeping and VAT returns, as well as Payroll, and Corporation Tax.

And the list goes on.

Create an ANNA Account today and secure and register your company name while we handle all the paperwork.