One Word Domain Names
The most powerful domains are single words
The Power of One Word
Apple, Amazon, Uber, Zoom, Slack, Square. The most valuable companies often have the shortest names. One word is enough when that word carries your entire brand.
Single-word domains work because they're impossible to forget. No prepositions to remember. No word order to confuse. Just one word that means your company.
The challenge: scarcity. Almost every English word is registered as a .com. Getting a one-word domain requires either money (buying from current owners) or creativity (inventing new words).
The Reality of One-Word .com Availability
Every common English noun, verb, and adjective is taken in .com. Most are parked by investors or held by companies. The few that become available sell for thousands to millions.
Four-letter .coms (like "Zoom" or "Uber") regularly trade for $50,000-500,000. Three-letter .coms are even more expensive. This isn't a market most startups can afford at launch.
Strategies That Work
Invent a word: Uber, Spotify, Hulu - none existed before their companies. Created words can be available, ownable, and trademarkable. Use patterns that are pronounceable but novel.
Try alternative TLDs: YourWord.io, YourWord.co, or YourWord.app often remain available when .com is taken. Notion used notion.so. Zoom started with zoom.us.
Use industry-specific TLDs: Common words may be available in niche extensions. "Shift" might be available in .tech or .app even if Shift.com is taken.
Check expired domains: One-word domains occasionally become available when owners don't renew. Services like ExpiredDomains.net track these opportunities.
Creating Invented One-Word Names
The best invented words follow patterns. Two syllables work well: Uber (u-ber), Lyft (lyft), Hulu (hu-lu). They use common letter combinations that feel speakable.
Start with a root that suggests your product. Add or modify letters until you find something available. Spotify came from "spot" + suffix. Twilio suggests "twilight" + "io."
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Consider invented words - they can be just as powerful
- Check alternative TLDs for your preferred word
- Monitor expired domain auctions
- Ensure any invented word is pronounceable
Don't
- Overpay early - wait until you have traction
- Use obscure words that need explanation
- Create unpronounceable letter combinations
- Assume a two-word name is always inferior
Find Your Perfect Domain
Ready to find one-word domain options? Our AI-powered generator creates short, powerful suggestions in seconds.
Try DecideDomain FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Are all one-word .com domains taken?
Nearly all dictionary-word .coms are registered. However, invented one-word names can still be available. Names like Uber, Zoom, and Slack were created specifically to be available and ownable.
How much do one-word domains cost?
One-word .com domains range from $10,000 for obscure words to millions for common English words. Premium four-letter names regularly sell for $50,000+. The cost reflects scarcity and perceived value.
Should I use an alternative TLD for a one-word domain?
Yes, if the name is strong. Zoom.us (before .com), Notion.so, and many others succeeded with alternative TLDs. A great one-word name in .io often beats a mediocre two-word name in .com.
How do I find available one-word domains?
Invent new words using pronounceable patterns. Check expired domain auctions for previously-registered names. Try industry-specific TLDs where dictionary words may be available. Use domain generators to find creative one-word options.
Sources
- Frozen Lemons: Research on optimal business name length and cognitive processing