Brainstorm Product Names

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Goal: Generate creative, memorable product names that reflect brand identity, market positioning, and are domain-available.

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Tools Required

This skill runs using CORE memory only. No integrations required.

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Step 1: Understand Naming Context

Clarify the naming scope:

• What are we naming? New product, feature, company, or sub-brand?
• Core value prop: What’s the product’s main benefit?
• Target audience: Who’s using it? What language resonates?
• Market positioning: Premium, playful, serious, innovative?
• Brand fit: Standalone brand or sub-brand of existing company?
• Geographic scope: English-only, international, multilingual?

Ask: “What’s the core benefit or job this product solves in one sentence?”

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Step 2: Define Naming Principles

Set constraints and criteria:

• Length: Single word, two words, or phrase? (shorter = better recall)
• Pronunciation: Must be easy to spell and say
• Meaning alignment: Should it literally mean something, or be invented?
• Tone: Professional, playful, technical, aspirational?
• Differentiation: Must feel fresh vs. category terms
• Domain availability: Must be available as .com or primary TLD?

Ask: “Is this more like Asana (aspirational), Slack (playful), or Figma (invented)?”

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Step 3: Brainstorm Naming Strategies

Generate names using these approaches: Strategy 1: Descriptive / Literal

• Directly name the benefit or tool
• Examples: Dropbox, Evernote, Slack
• Pros: Clear meaning, easy to understand
• Cons: Might feel generic or uninspired

Strategy 2: Metaphorical / Conceptual

• Use an analogy or concept that reflects value
• Examples: Zoom, Figma, Notion
• Pros: Memorable, evocative
• Cons: Meaning might be unclear initially

Strategy 3: Founder / Person Name

• Use founder name or character
• Examples: Gmail, Stripe
• Pros: Personal, build founder brand
• Cons: Limits brand growth beyond founder

Strategy 4: Compound Words

• Combine two meaningful words
• Examples: Instagram, Pinterest, Slack
• Pros: Descriptive yet fresh
• Cons: Might be taken or hard to trademark

Strategy 5: Invented / Portmanteau

• Create a new word (mashup or neologism)
• Examples: Uber, Airbnb, Spotify
• Pros: Completely unique, memorable
• Cons: Requires brand investment to define meaning

Strategy 6: Acronym / Abbreviation

• Use initials or shortened form
• Examples: IBM, IKEA, H&M
• Pros: Short, catchy
• Cons: Loses meaning unless well-established

Strategy 7: Geographic / Cultural Reference

• Named after place, tradition, or cultural concept
• Examples: Django, Kubernetes
• Pros: Distinctive, story-rich
• Cons: May not be globally relevant

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Step 4: Generate Name Candidates

Create 10-15 candidate names across strategies: For each candidate, note:

• Strategy used
• Meaning/reasoning
• Tone fit
• Potential domain availability (yes/maybe/no)
• Trademark difficulty (easy/medium/hard)

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Step 5: Evaluate Against Criteria

Score each name on:

• Clarity: Does target audience understand what it is?
• Memorability: Is it easy to remember and repeat?
• Differentiation: Does it stand out from competitors?
• Brand fit: Does it feel right for the product?
• Pronunciation: Is it easy to spell and say?
• Domain viability: Can we secure the domain?
• Trademark risk: Can we trademark it?
• Global appropriateness: Any negative meanings in other languages?

Narrow to top 3-5 candidates.

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Step 6: Validate with Target Audience

For top candidates:

• Share names with 5-10 target customers or advisors
• Ask: “What does this name make you think of?”
• Listen for: Clarity, positive associations, memorability
• Note any concerns or confusions
• Pick strongest based on feedback

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Step 7: Check Legal & Technical Viability

For final choice:

• Domain check: Is .com available? Alternatives?
• Social handles: Available on Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.?
• Trademark search: Any conflicts in relevant classes?
• Global check: Negative meanings in key markets?
• URL/email: Easy to type, remember?

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Output Format

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Product Name Brainstorm — [Product / Feature Name] Naming Context

• Product/scope: [What are we naming?]
• Core benefit: [Main value in one sentence]
• Target audience: [Who will use this?]
• Brand tone: [Professional / Playful / Technical / Aspirational]
• Domain requirement: [.com required? International scope?]

Naming Principles

• Length: [Single word / Two words / Phrase]
• Meaning: [Literal / Metaphorical / Invented]
• Pronunciation: [Must be easy to spell and say]
• Differentiation: [Must feel fresh vs. category]

Name Candidates by Strategy Top 3 Finalists Finalist 1: [Name]

• Strategy: [Strategy type]
• Meaning: [What it conveys]
• Why it works: [Strengths]
• Concerns: [Potential issues]
• Validation feedback: [What people said when shown this name]

Finalist 2: [Name]

• Strategy: [Strategy type]
• Meaning: [What it conveys]
• Why it works: [Strengths]
• Concerns: [Potential issues]
• Validation feedback: [What people said when shown this name]

Recommendation: [Winning Name] Legal & Technical Viability

• Domain: [.com available?]
• Social handles: [Available on key platforms?]
• Trademark: [Searchable? Any conflicts?]
• Global check: [Any negative meanings?]
• Competitive: [Any similar names in market?]

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Edge Cases

• Domain not available: Consider alternative TLDs (.co, .io, .app, .dev). Or slightly modify the name. Test new variant with audience first.
• Trademark conflicts: Work with legal to assess conflict severity. May need to modify name, license from trademark holder, or pursue cancellation.
• Name means different thing in key market: Test with native speakers in that market. If negative association is strong, pick different name. If neutral, proceed with explanation/branding.
• Team can’t decide between finalists: Run A/B test with customers or hold vote weighted by decision criteria (trademark risk, domain, clarity). Or pick the one that tests strongest with target audience.
• Audience feedback is split: Some like name A, others like name B. Choose based on alignment with business strategy, scalability, or test with larger audience segment.