The Word

Thoughts and news. All about the language of brands.

FEATURED POST

How to Brief a Naming Agency (And Why Most Briefs Miss the Mark)

Before a single name gets created, the brief shapes everything. The directions creative will explore. The criteria...

RECENT POSTS

How to Present a New Name to Your Board

You've done the work. The process was rigorous. The name is strong. And now you have thirty minutes in front of...
June 4th, 2026

What Does a Naming Project Actually Cost?

It's the question everyone wants to ask. So let's just address it directly.Naming project pricing varies —...

Naming a Nonprofit: The Rules Are Different Here

Most naming principles apply across sectors. Clarity, distinctiveness, memorability — these matter whether...
May 31st, 2026

Naming a Consumer Brand: When Personality Beats Clarity

Consumer naming is where the rules change.In B2B, clarity is usually the first thing you protect. Enterprise buyers...
May 30th, 2026

Naming a Professional Services Firm: The Founder Trap

It's the oldest naming convention in business. Law firm. Consulting firm. Architecture studio. Accounting...
May 30th, 2026

Naming a SaaS Brand: The Difference Between a Tool and a Platform

There's a question every SaaS company eventually faces, usually around Series B or the first major product...
May 29th, 2026

Naming a Healthcare Brand: Why Playing It Safe Can Actually Backfire

Naming a Healthcare Brand: Why Playing It Safe Can Actually BackfireHealthcare has a naming problem. And it's...
May 29th, 2026

Tanj Named a Clutch Global Winner for Naming — Spring 2026

We'll take it.Tanj has been named a 2026 Clutch Global Winner for Naming — recognized among the top naming...
May 22nd, 2026

What Happens After You Hire a Naming Agency

The decision to hire a naming agency is only the beginning. What happens next — how the work actually unfolds, what...

How to Choose a Naming Agency

There are more naming agencies than there used to be. That's mostly good news — it means there's real...

What You're Really Paying for When You Hire a Naming Agency

The sticker price of a naming engagement is easy to see. What's behind it is less obvious.The fee is not just...

Why Consensus Kills Great Naming

The worst moment in a naming process isn't when you can't find a great name. It's when you find one —...
May 15th, 2026

What's the Difference Between a Naming Agency and a Branding Agency?

Both can create names. That’s the main overlap.The difference isn't just about specialization — it's about...

What's Inside a Naming Brief — and Why It Matters

A naming brief sounds administrative. It isn't. It's the document that makes or breaks a naming engagement...

Is a Naming Agency Worth It?

The honest answer: it depends on what you're naming, what's at stake, and what it costs you if you get it...

Healthcare Brand Naming: Credibility, Compliance, and Clarity

Healthcare brands carry unusual weight. The name is often the first signal patients and providers receive about...
April 30th, 2026

Can AI Replace a Naming Agency?

Short answer: no. Longer answer: it depends on what you think a naming agency actually does.If you think a naming...
April 18th, 2026

How Much Does Brand Naming Cost?

The honest answer: it depends. But "it depends" isn't a non-answer here — the variables that drive...