Brandable Domain Names
How to create memorable brandable domains for your brand
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.
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.
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.
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. Check the USPTO database and similar services in your target markets.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Keep it to 2-3 syllables maximum
- Test pronunciation with real people
- Check trademark databases before committing
- Verify the name has no negative meanings in other languages
Don't
- Use uncommon letter combinations (xq, zj)
- Create names that require explanation to spell
- Assume a .io or .co is fine if .com is taken
- Use made-up words that sound like existing brands
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Try DecideDomain FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What makes a domain name brandable?
A brandable domain is a made-up or invented word that sounds good, is easy to pronounce, and can become a strong brand identity. Examples include Spotify, Hulu, and Zapier. These names work because they're unique, memorable, and don't have existing meanings to compete with.
Are brandable domains better than descriptive domains?
Neither is universally better. Brandable domains offer uniqueness and trademark protection, while descriptive domains help with SEO and instant understanding. Brandable works best when you plan to build a strong brand over time. Descriptive works when you need quick recognition of what you do.
How do I test if a brandable name is good?
Say the name aloud - can people spell it after hearing it once? Check for negative meanings in other languages. Verify no similar trademarks exist. Ask five people to spell it based on hearing it, and watch their faces when you say it - confusion is a bad sign.
Why do startups prefer brandable names?
Brandable names are easier to trademark, available in .com, and don't limit what the company can do in the future. Google started as a search engine - a descriptive name like SearchEngine.com would have limited expansion into maps, email, and cloud services.