How to choose a business name

Choosing a business name is often a major stumbling block for new entrepreneurs. They can spend weeks or even months agonizing over the perfect name, when in reality, the name is not as important as the business itself.

The goal is to choose a "good enough" name quickly and move on to the more important tasks of building a product and getting customers.

Here's a simple framework for choosing a business name:

Brainstorm a list of options: Don't overthink it. Come up with a list of 10-20 potential names. You can use a variety of techniques to generate ideas, such as:
- Combining two words (e.g., Groupon)
- Using a place name (e.g., Adobe)
- Using an acronym (e.g., IBM)
- Using a dictionary or a name generator tool
Check for availability: Once you have a list of options, check to see if they are available. You should check:
- Domain name: Is the .com domain available?
- Social media handles: Are the names available on the social media platforms you plan to use?
- Trademarks: Is the name already trademarked in your industry?
Evaluate the names against a set of criteria:
- Simplicity: Is the name short, simple, and easy to remember? The best brands in the world have short names.
- Pronounceability: Is the name easy to say out loud? This is important for word-of-mouth marketing.
- Relevance: Does the name make sense for your business?
- Broadness: Is the name broad enough to allow for future growth and expansion?
- Likeability: Do you like the name? You're going to be saying it a lot.
Make a decision and move on: Don't get stuck in analysis paralysis. Choose the best name from your list and move on. You can always change it later if you need to.

Remember, a great business can make a mediocre name great, but a great name can't save a bad business. The most important thing is to launch your business and start learning from real customers.