How to Create Brandable Domain Names

Brandable domains are made-up words that sound good and stick in memory. Spotify, Hulu, Zapier, Twilio - none of these words existed before the companies created them. Now they're worth billions. According to Sedo's annual domain market report, brandable invented-word domains command higher resale prices than generic keyword domains on average[1]. Once you've built a shortlist, you'll need to decide on a TLD - our .com vs .io comparison covers the trade-offs most founders face.

The appeal is simplicity: an invented word has no baggage. No one else has a trademark on it. No competitor has a similar name. Your brand owns the word completely. For a deeper look at how to evaluate and choose these names, see our complete guide to brandable domain names.

Five Techniques That Work

1. Combine word fragments: Take meaningful pieces of words and smash them together. Pinterest combined "pin" and "interest." Instagram combined "instant" and "telegram." The fragments hint at meaning without spelling it out.

2. Add common suffixes: Take a root word and add -ly (Bitly), -ify (Spotify, Shopify), -io (Twilio), or -er (Uber, Tinder). These suffixes make invented words feel natural and pronounceable.

3. Blend two concepts: Combine words that relate to your product. Netflix combined "internet" and "flicks." YouTube combined "you" and "tube" (slang for TV). The blend should be obvious once explained.

4. Use phonetic spelling: Take a real word and spell it differently. Lyft instead of Lift. Fiverr instead of Fiver. This gives you a unique trademark while keeping the pronunciation familiar.

5. Create abstract combinations: String together consonant-vowel patterns that sound pleasant. Hulu, Roku, Zara - these don't mean anything, but they feel like they could be words.

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Testing Your Brandable Name

The phone test matters most. Say your name aloud and ask someone to spell it. If they can't spell it correctly on first try, the name will cause problems forever.

Check for negative meanings in major languages. Consult a native speaker or use translation tools. A name that sounds great in English might mean something unfortunate in Spanish, Mandarin, or Hindi.

Search for existing trademarks. Even if the domain is available, a trademark conflict will force a rebrand later. The USPTO processes over 900,000 trademark applications annually[2]. Check the USPTO database and similar services in your target markets.