Common mistakes when creating a business name (and how to avoid each one)

🚫 1. The name only you understandYou know when the idea makes perfect sense in your head, but no one else gets it?That happens a lot when the name is based on an inside joke, an acronym, or something too personal.

💡 Tip: The name needs to be clear even for someone who’s just meeting you. If it needs an explanation, it’s already lost impact.

🎭 2. When the pun overshadows the brand

A clever pun can be fun. But a forced one… can be a disaster.

😬Many brands end up trapped in a joke that ages fast or limits their audience.

💡 Tip: If the humor feels natural and fits your brand, great. But if it sounds like a tongue twister, take a step back.

🗣️ 3. The long-name syndrome

If your name feels like an entire sentence, it won’t fit in people’s minds (or in your logo).Long names lose punch and make word-of-mouth harder — and let’s be honest, no one wants to spell out their business name.

💡 Tip: Try the “busy friend test”: if your friend can remember and repeat the name without mistakes, it’s the right length.

🌍 4. Mixing languages without realizing it

Sometimes the mix sounds elegant… until you find out that word means something totally different in another language. 😅

Many names sound great in Portuguese but turn into something strange in English (and vice versa).

💡 Tip: Before falling in love, check the meaning of your main words in other languages.

⏳ 5. Ignoring the test of time

A good name needs to outlive trends.Buzzwords, slang, and trendy expressions can make your brand sound outdated before it even takes off.

💡 Tip: Ask yourself: “Will this name still sound good in five years?”If the answer is yes — congrats! You’ve found something timeless, not just trendy.

✨ Moral of the story

The best name flows naturally — simple, memorable, and meaningful.It doesn’t need to be the funniest or the most “unique.”It just needs to be true to what you want to express.

💡 Bonus tip

Before deciding, say the name out loud.If it makes you smile — and sounds like it has soul — that’s a great sign.

👉 Want to test your ideas and avoid these mistakes in practice?

Use Nomybox to generate creative, short, and personality-filled names for your business.

Create names now!