Quick, practical checks to evaluate a name before you buy. ~30–90 minutes for basic review.
Essentials (Must-Check)
- 1–3 syllables preferred; shorter is easier to recall.
- Pronunciation: say it aloud and ask someone to repeat it.
- Spelling: do a quick type-in test — will people reach the domain?
- .com availability or a clear reason for using another TLD.
- Core social handles available (or acceptable close variants).
- Avoid hyphens and numbers unless necessary.
Brand Fit & Positioning
- Does the name convey the intended tone (friendly, premium, technical)?
- Category fit: will users understand the product from the name?
- Draft a 1-line positioning sentence and 2–3 short taglines.
- Create a quick wordmark to test logo and typography fit.
Practical Availability
- Check misspellings, plural forms, and alternate TLDs (.ai, .app, .io).
- Inspect domain history (archive.org) and spam/blacklist reports.
- Record available social handles and acceptable variants.
- Can you form a professional email (name@brand.com)?
Legal & Cultural Safety
- Run trademark searches in USPTO/EUIPO or local registries.
- Check for confusingly similar or phonetically close marks in the same class.
- Verify meanings and slang in key languages where you operate.
- If core to your business, consult an IP attorney for clearance.
Quick Testing & Validation
- Say-it test: introduce name, wait, ask someone to repeat it.
- Phone test: spell it over a noisy line.
- Memory test: brief exposure then recall test.
- Type-in test: 5 people type the name into a browser.
- Rapid poll: 10–20 target users rate clarity, tone, and recall.
Final Go / No-Go Checklist
- All essentials checked
- No trademark conflicts
- Positive/neutral cultural checks
- Acceptable domain & social availability
- Quick user tests pass
- Budget for acquisition & legal checks confirmed