Most teams underestimate this number by a lot.
If you think you need ten good names to find one winner, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
Why More Names Lead to Better Names
Naming is a filtering process, not a lightning strike.
Legal issues, domain conflicts, linguistic problems, and strategic misalignment eliminate ideas fast. What looks promising early often collapses under scrutiny.
That's why experienced naming firms generate hundreds of options before narrowing down.
The Real Numbers May Surprise You
In early exploration, 200 to 1,000 names is not unusual. Some projects go far beyond that.
This isn't about volume for volume's sake. It's about giving yourself room to explore the strategy fully and avoid settling too soon.
Early Favorites Are Usually Traps
Teams fall in love with names too early. Then they try to make them work, even when they shouldn't.
Quantity prevents emotional attachment. It keeps the process open and objective.
This is one of the hardest disciplines in DIY naming.
Shortlists Should Be Small and Sharp
Once screening begins, the list should shrink quickly.
By the time names reach stakeholders, you should be looking at no more than 10 to 15 strong, viable candidates.
Anything else creates noise, not clarity.
Why Naming Agencies Push for Volume
A professional naming agency knows that strong names emerge from exploration, not shortcuts.
If you're not seeing enough range in your ideas, you probably haven't gone far enough yet.
If you want help generating and filtering name ideas efficiently, a naming company can save you months of trial and error. Get started at https://tanj.co/contact.