Your business name is one of the most important ways to let customers, clients, competitors and others in the marketplace know about who you are and what you do. You want it to have impact and substance. Deciding on the right business name can be a daunting task. Our free business name generator can take some of the guesswork out of the process by generating business name ideas that are available for a limited liability company (LLC) in your state.

Advertisement

Start an LLC Online Today With ZenBusiness

Click on the state below to get started.

Start Now

Free Business Name Generator

Forbes Advisor has an AI-Powered Business Name Generator that you can use to brainstorm unique and unforgettable names for your business. Here’s how it works.

  • Step 1: Select the industry in the dropdown menu. You can choose from industries including Art & Design, Finance & Investment and Entertainment & Media, among others.
  • Step 2: Choose the service that you offer. The available services that you can select will depend on the industry that you selected in the previous step.
  • Step 3: Tell us about your business. To give the tool more context about your business, write a short description that describes your business.
  • Step 4: Generate a business name. Click the “Proceed” button to generate a business name.
  • Step 5: Choose a business name. The AI tool will generate a set of business names that you can choose from. For more ideas, you can click the “Learn More” button to generate more business names.

How To Come Up With a Memorable Business Name

A business name is the legal name to identify your business. You’ll need a business name to submit a Form SS-4 to receive an employer identification number (EIN) and to start operating your company.

A business name can be different from a trade name, but it should still be succinct, direct and memorable. It should also provide the public with some insight into what your company does or the products it provides. Checking all of these boxes for the ideal business name can seem impossible, but our business name generator can make the process easier for you by providing several business name options based on your keywords and location.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a business name:

  • Business goals: To get started, write down your business goals. Based on your answer, brainstorm keywords and concepts related to your business objectives and write down everything that comes to mind.
  • Target market: Consider your target audience. What kind of names might appeal to them? Is your audience young and trendy, or more conservative and professional?
  • Location: If your business primarily serves a specific geographic area or community, incorporating the location can improve your business’s searchability among locals. For example, “Atlanta Auto Repair” immediately conveys that the business is located in Atlanta and provides auto repair services there.
  • Product or service: Think about phrases or names related to the product or service you’re offering. A good tip is to research your competitors’ names. This can help you identify naming conventions within your industry and avoid names that are too similar to existing businesses.
  • Mission or vision statement: Do you have a vision or mission statement? Think about whether the name will still be relevant if your business expands or diversifies its offerings in the future.
  • Get creative: Is the name unique enough to be eye-catching? Play with words, combine different concepts and experiment with various languages or word roots. Sometimes, a unique or unexpected combination can lead to a memorable name.

Once you have your business name, your brand identity will revolve around it. As a result, your logo, slogan and marketing materials will incorporate your business name. That’s exactly why you need to have a clear understanding of your business’s mission, values, products, services and target audience. Your business name should reflect your identity and resonate with your customers.


Brainstorm Business Names

Using keywords that apply to your business or your branding goals, our business name generator will brainstorm business name options for you. You can tailor these brainstorming efforts to your industry as well. Our business name generator will provide only those name options that are available for LLCs in your state so that you don’t get excited about business names that aren’t available.

To generate the most viable and applicable business name options, keep in mind the following suggestions:

  • Use keywords that will resonate with your customers and clients. Consider your customers’ wants and needs as well as how they will find you. This can help you consider possible keywords to use in the business name generator.
  • Keep the name memorable. The most memorable names are short and catchy.
  • Look at the competition. The names your competitors are using can help you consider how to differentiate yourself in the industry.
  • Avoid limiting names. Be cautious about names that might limit your business’s growth. For example, local businesses should avoid using their city’s name in the title if they plan to expand nationally or globally.
  • Consider your brand identity. Think about the ideal image of your business’s branding. Is it professional, fun, innovative, traditional or something else? Your name should align with your brand’s identity.
  • Check pronunciation and spelling. Ensure that your chosen name is easy to pronounce and spell. Avoid complex or overly creative spellings that might confuse potential customers.
  • Explore industry naming conventions. Research naming conventions within your industry or niche. This can help you identify common themes or words that resonate with your target audience.

Refine Your Business Name Options

Once you have brainstormed some business name options, it’s time to refine them. You can do this by confirming whether the business name is also available as a website domain name. You should also do a Google search for the business name to see if there are any conflicting results.

You’ll also want to search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to confirm that the name isn’t trademarked or won’t violate any trademark laws.

Finally, let the name sit for a few days to see how it sounds and feels afterward. A good tip is to seek feedback from friends, family or colleagues. Gauge their reactions to your business’s name. They may provide insights and perspectives you haven’t considered.


How To Register a Business Name

Once you’ve settled on the ideal business name, it’s time to register it. The specific requirements for registering your business name will vary depending on your business structure, such as whether it’s a corporation, partnership or LLC, and the location in which your business will be registered. For most small business LLCs, registering your business name is done by submitting a form to your state and/or local government.

Advertisement

Start A Limited Liability Company Online Today with ZenBusiness

Click to get started.


How Our Business Name Generator Works

Forbes Advisor’s Business Name Generator has GPT integration, which allows users to generate unique and creative business names within seconds.

It comes with a custom dataset from registered business names or trademarks, industry-specific terminology and a built-in thesaurus—so you’re more likely to generate business names that match your industry and service.

Best of all, the availability checker ensures that the business name is unique and available to use on social media handles, usernames and domain names.

Other features of our business name generator include multi-language support, sentiment and style options (i.e., funny, rhyming or serious business names), name scoring and ranking, and name generation history, among others.


Bottom Line

Ultimately, the business name you choose will become an integral part of your brand’s identity. Take the time to brainstorm a good business name and make sure it encapsulates your mission, values and aspirations.

With our business name generator, you can take some of the guesswork out of the brainstorming process and develop a concrete, focused list of business name options based on your industry and jurisdiction.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I do once I have settled on a business name?

Once you find a business name you like, you’ll want to confirm that it isn’t trademarked by another company. If not, you’ll also want to confirm whether the website domain name is available and do a Google search to see if there are any other businesses using the name.

Is the business name the same as the trade name?

The business name is the legal name of your company. A trade name is how your business is branded and recognized in the marketplace and industry. In many cases, the business name will be the same as the trade name but you can have a different trade name—or doing business as (DBA) name—if you’d like.

How do I come up with a catchy business name?

Brainstorm keywords and phrases that will resonate with your target audience. From there, feel free to experiment by using acronyms, experimenting with mash-ups and finding inspiration from pop culture, books or social media trends.