The Word

Thoughts and news. All about the language of brands.

FEATURED POST

The Role of Research To Enhance Your Brand Naming Process
Great names don’t come out of thin air. You might be surprised at the amount of research that goes on behind the...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming ● Brand Research
September 12th, 2025

RECENT POSTS

In-the-news

Tanj Founder — Scott Milano — Speaks to Fast Company About the DOD Renaming

Tanj Founder & Managing Director, Scott Milano, was featured in a recent Fast Company article on the renaming of...
By Jill Stanewick ●News ● Naming ● Naming Hot Takes ● Branding
September 10th, 2025

How to Use AI to Spark Naming Ideas (Without Falling Into the Generic Trap)

Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. From drafting emails to designing logos to writing code, it’s...
By Jill Stanewick
September 5th, 2025

How to Create a Name That Will Grow with Your Brand

Your brand name isn’t just for launch day. It’s for year five, year ten, and beyond.A strong name should do more than...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
September 4th, 2025

What Makes a Naming Project Successful (Tips from a Pro Agency)

A great name can launch a brand into culture. A weak one? It can sink momentum before you even get started.At Tanj,...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
September 3rd, 2025

Why Naming Is More Than Just Wordplay (It’s Business Strategy)

We hear it all the time: “Wait, naming is a JOB?” People often assume naming is like a creative parlor trick — a...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
August 13th, 2025

Naming Agency vs. Freelance Namer vs. In-House: What’s Best for Naming?

When it’s time to name your brand, product, or company, the decision to go with a naming agency, freelancer, or...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
August 12th, 2025

In the News: Tanj Talks Product Naming in Branders Magazine

I’m excited to share my latest piece in Branders Magazine, where I break down why a strong product name is one of the...
By Scott Milano ●Press ● Naming
August 8th, 2025

Big Names in Naming: An Interview with Naming Expert Scott Milano

Our very own Scott Milano sat down with Caitlin Barrett to discuss all things naming on the latest episode of the Big...
By Jill Stanewick ●Press ● News ● Naming Hot Takes
July 31st, 2025

Naming and Design: A Creative Partnership in Brand Building

Too often, branding is thought of as the visual stuff. Logo, colors, look and feel. But naming is branding,...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming ● Branding
July 17th, 2025

Top 10 Signs Your Brand Name Is Holding You Back

A strong brand name can open doors, spark emotional connections, and create lasting value. But a weak or outdated...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
July 17th, 2025

What Does a Naming Agency Actually Do?

When you think about building a brand, the name may seem like a simple item on your checklist — just a word or two,...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
July 17th, 2025

Just Launched: Philosophy of Naming Guides

Great names shape perception, tell stories, and fuel connection—and yet their power often hides in plain sight....
By Scott Milano
June 25th, 2025

The Power of Strategic Naming: Why Great Names Start with Strategy

Let’s be honest: naming looks simple. After all, how hard can it be to come up with a word or two?But scratch the...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
May 22nd, 2025

When to Hire a Naming Agency — and When to Go It Alone

There’s a lot riding on a name. Whether it’s a company, product, or service, a name can make people lean in — or look...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming ● Branding
May 20th, 2025

How to Choose a Naming Agency: 5 Qualities Every Marketing Leader Should Look For

In a world overflowing with brands, standing out starts with the right name. Whether you’re launching a new venture,...
By Jill Stanewick
May 19th, 2025

In the News: Tanj on AI & Naming in Branders Magazine

I'm excited to share that I had the pleasure of being featured in the latest issue of Branders Magazine! The...
By Scott Milano ●News ● Press ● Naming
April 9th, 2025

2025 Brand Naming Trends

2025 is starting on a wild note. All that's going on in the world undoubtedly effects how brands name right now,...
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming Trends
February 25th, 2025

How to Name Your D2C Beverage Brand

In the growing world of direct-to-consumer beverages, your brand name is the first taste of your product’s identity....
By Jill Stanewick ●Naming
February 3rd, 2025