The Word

Thoughts and news. All about the language of brands.

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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...
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...
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....
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...
January 14th, 2026

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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
December 22nd, 2025