Blog Archives

Prediction: Crazy Domain Market to Collapse in 2014

I am not usually one given to making public predictions, but yesterday when I saw this outrageous request for a .com domain name I was moved to take a stand. How DomainMarket.com thinks they can justify these prices, for a

Posted in Branding, Domain Names, Naming News, Naming Resources, Trademarks

Gyazo Grows Like Crazy, even with Crazy Name

Gyazo is such an unusual name for an international handy software utility that the American product manager even made a little SoundCloud audio clip on how to pronounce it – gee ah zoh  (with a hard g like in glee).

Posted in Name Origins, Naming Education, Naming News, Strange Names, Technology Names, Trademarks

When Do Americans Prefer Brand Name Products?

We’re faced with overwhelming options when we go to shop: multiple different types of oatmeal brands all offering what seems to be the same product with the same health benefits, a dizzying number of car brands all offering comparable safety

Posted in Branding, Name Origins, Naming Education, Naming News

Xbox One – Strange Name for 3rd Iteration

Just as well that XBox has been a successful gaming platform from Microsoft, because it sure has suffered more naming travails than usual – and travails are usual at Microsoft. First it had no name, as rumors of its impending

Posted in Branding, Name Changes, Naming Education, Naming News, Strange Names, Technology Names, Trademarks

Freschetta is a Great Way to Say Fresh Pizza

Isn’t it amazing how pizza has become a staple of the American diet, even in little towns where there are not many other choices? In my case I live too far up in the mountains for them to deliver, and

Posted in Branding, Food Names, Name Origins, Naming News

Why is the Golden Gate Red? And Other Naming Questions.

It is that time of year to have some fun with naming. While your creative team conscripts are waiting for their probably futile brainstorming session to start, give them these riddles as a warmup exercise: Why is it called the

Posted in Branding, Name Origins, Naming Education, Naming News, Public Site Naming, Strange Names

Eye-Fi is a Cute Catchy Name. Will it Endure?

In this day and age of ubiquitous WiFi I can’t help but smile every time I see the Eye-Fi name. Talk about riding a popular theme!  Then I talk to friends in Europe and they pronounce WiFi as Wiffy. Does

Posted in Branding, Domain Names, Name Origins, Naming News, Technology Names, Trademarks

How Not to Name Your New Consulting Business

A year or two ago the Wall Street Journal wrote a good article on why you do not want to name your consulting business Bob Johnson Inc, even if your name is Bob Johnson. They based a lot of their

Posted in Branding, Domain Names, Name Changes, Name Origins, Naming News, People Names, Trademarks

White Hawk Software is a Great Security Software Name

Over the past weekend at the big geek fest known as Silicon Valley Code Camp, a shy gentleman sidled over to me after one of my talks and asked me (rather nervously) what I thought of the name of his

Posted in Branding, Name Origins, Naming Education, Naming News, Technology Names, Trademarks

.xyz is sure to be a DOA new domain moniker

Last month Domain Name Wire wrote a fairly detailed article about how David Negari was laying all his cards and expectations on the forthcoming new top level .xyz domain moniker. And ever since I have been scratching my head and

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Posted in Branding, Domain Names, Naming Education, Naming News, Trademarks