Name Generator
Evaluate a Specific Name
Name Availability Checklist
.com Domain — Check if yourname.com is available→ Namecheap.com (instant domain search)
Federal Trademark — Search USPTO TESS for existing trademarks→ USPTO TESS Trademark Search
State Business Registry — Check your state's entity database→ USA.gov State Business Registration
Social Media Handles — Check @YourName on Instagram, X, LinkedIn→ Namecheckr.com (check all platforms at once)
Google Search — Is the name strongly associated with another company?
⚠️ Disclaimer: Name suggestions are generated for inspiration only. Always verify trademark availability through the USPTO TESS database and consult a trademark attorney before committing to a business name. Domain availability should be confirmed through a domain registrar. This tool does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names are more protectable when they're more distinctive. From most to least protectable: (1) Fanciful — made-up words (Kodak, Xerox, Google). (2) Arbitrary — real words unrelated to the business (Apple for computers, Amazon for e-commerce). (3) Suggestive — hints at the product (Netflix, Pinterest). (4) Descriptive — requires acquired distinctiveness. (5) Generic — not protectable (Best Coffee). The more unique and distinctive your name, the stronger your trademark claim.
For serious businesses, yes. Federal trademark registration gives you: exclusive nationwide rights to the name in your industry, the ability to use the ® symbol, protection against similar marks being registered, and a legal presumption of ownership. Cost: $350-$500/class to file with the USPTO (or $250 if eligible for TEAS Plus). The process takes 12-18 months. A trademark attorney ($800-$2,000 total) significantly improves approval odds. At minimum, consider a state trademark filing ($50-100) if operating locally.
Yes, if they're in different industries or different geographic markets. "Delta" exists as both an airline and a faucet brand. The key is whether there's likelihood of consumer confusion. If your "Delta Consulting" could be confused with Delta Air Lines, that's a trademark problem. If you're a Delta Plumbing in a small local market, you may coexist. Federal trademarks provide nationwide protection; state registrations protect within a state; common law trademarks protect the geographic area where you actively use the name.
Options in order of preference: (1) Modify the name — add a word ('Get', 'Try', 'Use', 'App', 'HQ'). (2) Try to buy the domain from the owner — many dormant .com domains can be purchased for $500-$5,000. (3) Use a newer TLD — .co, .io, .ai are widely accepted in tech. Industry TLDs like .agency, .consulting, .studio are growing in legitimacy. (4) Change the name slightly to find one with .com available. Avoid .net or .org for for-profit businesses as they signal non-commercial contexts.
Memorable (easy to say, spell, and recall), distinct from competitors, available as a domain name (ideally .com), and not trademarked in your industry. Short names (1-2 syllables) have cognitive advantages -- people remember them more easily and type them correctly. Descriptive names (tells you what the business does) build faster recognition; abstract names require more marketing investment to build meaning but are more defensible long-term. Check trademark availability at USPTO.gov before committing.
Not immediately, but trademark registration (USPTO, $250-$400 per class) provides legal protection if someone else tries to use your name. Without registration, you have common law trademark rights in the geographic area where you operate, but national protection requires registration. If your business scales nationally or you invest heavily in brand building, trademark registration is worth the cost. Search USPTO.gov for existing marks in your industry before naming to avoid inadvertent infringement.
Ideally yes, but an exact match is not always possible or necessary. Abbreviations (BusinessNameCo.com), location drops (BusinessName.com vs. BusinessName-NYC.com), or a .co/.io alternative are acceptable workarounds. What matters most: the domain should be guessable from the business name, easy to type, and not confused with a competitor. Check domain availability at the same time you check trademark availability -- they constrain each other.