Business Name Generator

Naming a business shouldn't feel like pulling teeth. You've got the vision, the drive, maybe even your first customers lined up—but the name? That's where things get stuck. A catchy business name needs to be memorable, available, and capture what you're building without boxing you in down the road. Our AI-powered brand name ideas tool cuts through the guesswork and delivers dozens of smart options in seconds, so you can stop staring at blank notebooks and actually move forward.

AI Business Name Generator: How To Use It

This section walks you through exactly how our generator works on-page—no sign-in required, no domain checks that lead nowhere. You'll go from “I have no idea” to a solid shortlist you can actually use.

1. Define your inputs. In the “Keywords (Optional)” field, drop in one to three terms that nail your offer, vibe, or audience. Think “coffee,” “artisanal,” “Austin.” These keywords help the tool generate business names that stay relevant to what you're building while leaving plenty of room for creativity. You're guiding it, not limiting it.
   
2. Set Tone & Feel. Pick Modern, Professional, Playful, Premium, or Bold. This choice shapes the sound and word selection—crisp versus friendly versus upscale. It's the difference between names that sound like a law firm and names that sound like your favorite neighborhood spot. Tone matters when you're trying to connect with your target audience from the first impression.
   
3. Choose a Name Style. You've got four options here: Brandable (short, coined, flexible), Compound (two real words fused together like “Blue Harbor”), Invented (completely fresh, made-up forms), or Evocative (suggestive words that hint at your promise). These styles produce different company name ideas, so you can compare directions quickly and see what resonates.
   
4. Generate 30 names. Hit “Generate,” and the engine scores outputs for length and pronunciation to favor names that stick in people's heads and don't trip them up when they try to spell it. You'll see cards you can scan at a glance, no scrolling through endless garbage options that clearly came from a random word combiner.
   
5. Shortlist with Favorites. Hit the star ⭐ to favorite strong candidates. Click ✕ to hide weak ones. Your favorites rise to the top, so you can focus on a tight set of business name ideas instead of drowning in possibilities. This is where you start seeing patterns in what you like.
   
6. Refine and iterate. Found a keeper but want variations? Add it, or a piece of it, back into Keywords, switch your Tone or Style, and generate again. Iteration surfaces patterns fast and helps you zero in on names that genuinely fit your brand identity. Don't settle on the first batch if it doesn't click.
   
7. Copy for next steps. Use “Copy” on any card or “Copy All” to move shortlisted names into your notes or a team doc. When you're happy with your shortlist, validate externally: check domain and social handles, then run basic legal screens with your state name search and USPTO. Finalize the option that fits your positioning and start your business with confidence.
   
8. What this tool does & doesn't. It's a fast business name idea generator built to help you brainstorm and prioritize options. What it doesn't do: run domain availability checks for you, search trademarks, or reserve names. You'll handle those validation steps separately, always confirm availability before you commit.

Check Availability and Conflicts Before You Decide

A great name means nothing if someone else owns it. Before you fall in love with a candidate, run these checks to make sure the path is clear and you're not setting yourself up for a costly rebrand six months in.

Domain Name Availability Checks

Start by checking if the .com is available. Head to any domain registrar—Namecheap, GoDaddy, Google Domains—and search your top picks. If the exact .com is taken but parked, you might be able to negotiate, but that's a headache most business owners don't need. If .com isn't available, consider whether a .co, .io, or .biz works for your industry, but know that .com still carries more weight for credibility with potential customers in most markets.

Also check if similar domains are active businesses in your space. You want clear domain name availability so your marketing dollars go toward building your brand, not explaining why you're different from that other company.

Social Handle Availability Checks

Run your shortlist through Namechk or KnowEm to see if handles are available on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok. Consistent social handles across platforms make it easier for people to find and follow you. If your first choice is taken everywhere but one person's dormant Twitter account, you've got a decision: rebrand slightly or try to claim that handle (good luck).

Don't skip this step assuming you can just add an underscore or “official” to your handle. That's a Band-Aid fix that makes your online business look amateurish. Aim for exact matches, or get creative with your naming before you commit.

State Business Name Search Links

Every state maintains a business entity database where you can check if your proposed name is already registered as an LLC, corporation, or other entity. Search your state's Secretary of State website—most have a “business search” or “entity search” function. If your name is taken or too similar to existing company names, the state will reject your filing.

Some states are strict about similarity; others only flag exact matches. Don't assume “Smith Consulting LLC” is fine just because “Smith Consulting Group LLC” exists—run the search and confirm. If you're naming your business for multi-state operations, check the key markets where you'll register. A name that works in Texas might already be taken in California.

How To Run a USPTO Trademark Search

Head to the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) and run a basic word mark search for your top candidates. Look for exact matches and similar marks in your industry class. If you find active trademarks that sound like your name and operate in the same space, move on—you're asking for a cease-and-desist letter down the road.

Trademarks protect more than just the exact spelling. “Bluebird” and “Blue Bird” could both be protected if they're phonetically identical and in overlapping categories. If you're serious about a name, consider hiring a trademark attorney to run a comprehensive search. It's cheaper than a rebrand after you've already launched and built momentum with your logo ideas and brand materials.

Shortlist the Best Names with This Checklist

You've got availability confirmed—now make sure the name actually works in the real world. Run your finalists through these filters before you commit.

5-Second Say–Spell–Recall Test

Can someone hear your business name once and spell it correctly? Say it out loud to a friend, then ask them to write it down without seeing it. If they guess wrong, your name is costing you search traffic and word-of-mouth referrals. Names that are easy to spell win every time because customers won't have to guess when they look you up later.

Also test recall. A day later, can they remember your name at all? If it blends into the background or sounds like ten other companies, it's not doing its job. A strong business name sticks without effort—you shouldn't have to remind people what you're called every time you meet.

Distinctiveness and Differentiation

Search your name plus your industry. If the first page of Google is full of companies that sound identical, you're starting from behind. You want a unique business name that stands apart in search results and makes it obvious you're not just another generic option in a crowded space.

Avoid descriptive-only names like “Best Plumbing Services” unless you're planning to pour money into advertising. Those names don't protect well legally, and they do nothing to choose a business identity that people remember. Your name should suggest what you do without being so literal that it's boring.

Room To Grow for Future Offers

Will this name still make sense in three years when you expand your product line or target a new market? If you're “Chicago Cupcakes” today, that's fine—until you want to open in Denver or sell cookies. A brandable business name gives you flexibility to evolve without confusing your audience or needing a rebrand that erases all your early traction.

Think about adjacent services or markets you might enter. If the name locks you into one city, one product, or one narrow demographic, you're building a ceiling into your brand name ideas. Go broader if you have any ambition beyond your current scope.

Business Name Generator FAQs

Quick answers to the questions we hear most about using name generators, checking availability, and protecting your choice once you've decided.