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The Word
Thoughts and news. All about the language of brands.
FEATURED POST
Why More Naming Options Rarely Make the Decision Easier
At first, more options feel like progress. The list is growing, people are engaged, and no one can say you...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 20th, 2026
RECENT POSTS
When Naming Inconsistency Starts Showing Up on the Balance Sheet
At first, it didn't feel like a problem. Each acquisition made sense on its own. Each product kept the name it...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 19th, 2026
Sixty Days Out—and the Name Still Isn't Settled
You're not behind. But you're not comfortable either.The launch date is real now. The roadmap is locked....
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 15th, 2026
CES 2026 Musings: Best Product Names
I like lots of different styles of names, I promise, but all of my favorites from CES this year are short, suggestive...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 14th, 2026
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What Boards Actually Worry About When You Name Something New
No one on the board is arguing about syllables. They're not debating whether it "sounds modern...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 13th, 2026
CES 2026 Musings: New Products from Petkit
I wrote previously about AI Tails — a pet tech brand with a name I think is a winner (though I question the product’s...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 12th, 2026
How Naming Becomes the Proxy Fight for Bigger Strategic Tension
This meeting was supposed to be about a name. But five minutes in, you can tell—it's not.Someone's arguing...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 11th, 2026
Afeela Disappointment
Guys, I have to tell you: I don’t Afeela great about the name for Sony Honda Mobility’s new EV line. While the name...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming Hot Takes
January 11th, 2026
CES 2026 Musings: AI Tails
New in pet tech is AI Tails, a smart food station for cats designed to measure their food and water intake,...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 10th, 2026
CES 2026 Musings: Pebble’s Index 01
Pebble is at CES this year sharing some new devices. One of them? The Index 01, a simple ring featuring a button you...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 9th, 2026
The Hidden Costs of a Rushed Naming Decision
You didn't plan to rush this. You planned to do it right.But now the launch date is fixed. The deck is already...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 7th, 2026
How to Run a Productive Naming Brainstorm (Even with a Big Team)
There's something electric about a good naming brainstorm. When everything clicks, you're not just throwing...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
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Naming Tools
January 6th, 2026
When It's Time to Stop Exploring and Start Deciding
At some point, exploration stops being productive. Not because the ideas dry up. Not because the team runs out of...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 6th, 2026
Should You Trust Name Surveys and Focus Groups?
Short answer: use them carefully.Name surveys and focus groups can provide insight, but they should never make the...
By Scott Milano
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Brand Research
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Naming Tools
January 5th, 2026
How Many Name Ideas Do You Actually Need?
Most teams underestimate this number by a lot.If you think you need ten good names to find one winner, you're...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
January 2nd, 2026
How to Evaluate Brand Name Ideas Objectively
Most naming debates fail for one reason. Everyone is arguing opinions instead of criteria.If you want to choose a...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
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Brand Research
December 30th, 2025
What Makes a Brand Name Legally Strong vs Risky
Not all brand names are created equal in the eyes of the law. Some are built to last. Others are lawsuits waiting to...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
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Trademark
December 29th, 2025
How to Check If a Company Name Is Taken
If you’re starting a company, this is the unglamorous step you cannot skip. Before you fall in love with a name,...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
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Brand Research
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Trademark
December 23rd, 2025
How to Generate 200+ Product Name Ideas Without Getting Stuck
If you're only coming up with ten product name ideas to choose from, you're really just taking a shot in...
By Jill Stanewick
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Naming
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Creativity
December 22nd, 2025
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