Imagine this: You've got a brilliant concept for a blog, and your ideas are flowing, but there's just one tiny problem – you're stuck on choosing the perfect name.

Don't worry – while choosing a blog or domain name is important, it's not the end-all-be-all.

Your audience is more interested in your content than your name.

That being said, it's still important to choose a name that accurately reflects your brand and is memorable.

In this article, we'll explore the top 10 proven hacks to help you come up with a creative blog name that will make your brand stand out.

The options you have

When choosing a domain or blog name, you have four options:

1. Choosing a blog name that includes a target keyword.
2. Choosing a blog name that includes a brandable keyword.
3. Choosing a completely brandable blog name.
4. A blog name that includes your name, such as "Akshay's Blog."

👉 I recommend choosing a brandable name with a keyword in the domain. This gives you the benefits of both a keyword and a brand for your blog, providing an SEO boost as well as a catchy name for your blog.

Keyword-rich vs. brandable domain names

Having keywords in the domain name used to be very important 3-4 years ago. However, SEO has changed a lot since then. Having a keyword in your domain name matters less now.

You need a domain/blog name that is brandable and memorable. Authority sites tend to have brandable domains.

Rather than going fully brandable like "Google" and "Twitter", you can choose a domain name that is more inclined towards your niche, such as "TreadmillAuthority" or "FitnessHacker." For me, a partially keyword-rich and brandable blog name is the way to go.

😅 People still think that having a keyword in the domain name is an SEO advantage, but that's not true. The relevancy of the content you publish on your domain is what matters, not the usage of relevant keywords in the domain.

Pass the radio test

When choosing a name for your blog or domain, it's important to consider whether it will pass the radio or telephone test.

In other words, would listeners be able to understand and spell your blog name if they heard it on the radio or over the phone? This is also important for podcasts and word-of-mouth promotion, as the name should be easy to comprehend.

For instance, SumoMe had to change its name to Sumo last year because people were mispronouncing it. They even spent a whopping $1.5 million to acquire the domain name Sumo.com. You can learn more about their decision by clicking here.

So, it's important to choose a name that's easily comprehensible for your audience. After all, you don't want people to misspell your blog name or have trouble finding it.

Consider my case.

Previously, this blog was called GoBloggingTips, which was long, difficult to pronounce, and not brandable. Realizing that branding is one of the top SEO factors, I invested in rebranding my domain name. I spent a good premium price to acquire BloggingX.com.

While some people say that brand name doesn't matter and it's the value you offer that counts, I believe that the brand name defines the frame in which people perceive your content.

What about a domain under your name?

When it comes to personal branding, naming your blog after yourself can be very effective. By using your own name, you won't have to worry about rebranding in the future.

Blogs that include the author's name in the title or domain are often trusted by readers and considered to have high-quality content.

Or, is it only me?

However, there is a catch.

In my case, I run a blog about blogging on BloggingX rather than at AkshayHallur.com. This is because I don't want to limit myself to just one topic.

I would not like to tie my personal site to only blogging as I may venture into other fields in the future as well.

It all boils down to your personal choice.

For example, Neil Patel grew NeilPatel.com. Now, his blog is more popular than any of his other blogs.

If your name is too long, like Gary Vaynerchuk? Shorten it.

Gary’s site goes with GaryVee, and his agency site name is VaynerMedia!

If you're starting a blog to grow your SaaS business, personal branding may not be necessary. This is because having a strong personal brand associated with your SaaS application could make it harder to sell in the future.

However, if you're in the training, consulting, or agency business, it makes sense to take the personal branding route.

Tips for choosing a good blog name

Try to include verbs in your blog name

Including verbs in the blog name acts as a call to action for your readers. It’s simply creative and effective.

The words you use should create a specific image or imagination in your reader's mind. Only then will they remember your brand.

For example, words like "Go," "Shout," "Jump," "Think," and "Scratch" are simply engaging and evoke action in your readers' minds. When people can visualize something as they read your blog, your brand will be more memorable to them.

Know your audience

So, let's say you have a blog that's focused on teaching something specific. In that case, it might be a good idea to include some keywords in your blog title that accurately reflect your content.

On the other hand, if your target audience is mostly made up of millennials, you might want to incorporate some cool, trendy words that will really appeal to them. Think "geek," "nerd," "hustle," and so on.

The bottom line is that your blog title should speak directly to your audience and let them know that they've found exactly what they're looking for.

Did you get it?

Your blog name should be relevant to the audience you are trying to cater to. It should reflect the USP of your blog.

The moment your blog name has a benefit factor in it, you are the winner.

Look at your competitor's blog names

If you're struggling to come up with a name for your blog, it may mean that you're in a new niche.

In that case, take a look at what other bloggers in your niche are doing. You'll get a sense of the jargon words they use to create a deeper connection with their audience.

If a blog name is working well for someone else in your niche, it should work for you too. Just get some inspiration from your competitors' blog names.

But remember, don't try to impersonate or look too similar to them, as it can hurt your reputation in the long run.

And if you're not able to get the domain name you want, don't worry. You can open up a thesaurus and search for synonyms to find a name that works for you.

Akshay strongly recommends: How to Choose a Blogging Niche? (Don’t Regret Later!)

Prepare a list of niche keywords

Before starting to research your blog name, it is important to come up with some words that are central to your niche idea. These words should include verbs, abbreviations, and phrases related to your niche.

For example, if your niche is fitness, you may consider the following words.

Muscle	Body	Workout/workouts
Strong/Strength	Weight	Hustle
Lift	Physique	Train/Trainer
Gain/Gains	Bulk/Lean	Buff

To find core keywords related to your niche, try Googling "niche terms" or "niche terminology".

Another option is to use tools like ChatGPT with a prompt related to your niche and let it generate a list of related keywords.

🤖 Prompt for ChatGPT – "Can you suggest some fitness-related keywords or phrases that can be used in blog or domain names?”

Once you have an initial set of words, you can expand it or use the tools listed below to research domain names.

Mix ‘n match

Now you have a list of your niche-related terms, it’s time to mix and match them and find available domain names.

Here we will be using a tool called Dotomator; it helps you easily check the availability of domain names that are a combination of words you provide the tool.

As you can see, I've just put in some beginning and ending words. This tool has actually given me loads of domain name ideas to get started.

You can also use the dropdown to select from categories of preloaded words that come with the tool, just like in the screenshot.

If you ask me, I think the domain names GainAddict and LiftBeast are the best ones to go with, but in no particular order. What do you think?

Untapped reservoir of brandable names

Add suffixes like –ify, -matic, -ckr, -erify, -cy, -icious, -ity, -ous. Consider brands like Shopify, Spotify, so on. You can refer this Wikipedia Latin Suffixes section for more ideas.

You can use a tool called NameMesh, that helps you check the domain name availability for the brandable suffixes.

If you are in the fitness niche you can go with names like fittify, fitmatic, fitnessmatic, fitnitty, strongify, leanmatic, so on…

If the blog name can be easily confused between homophones, like Byte vs. Bite, you may need to buy both domain names and redirect them to the main site.

By this, you have your root keyword as well as the brand flavor in your name.

Intentional typos

You may vomit vowels and create a brand – the domain names of Tumblr and Flickr are perfect examples.

In this case, people may easily type Flickr as Flicker. So, the folks at Flickr have also bought Flicker.com (below screenshot).

Or, you can consider replacing the key consonants like replacing – “c” with “k”, so on.

One classic example is Neville Medhora’s Kopywriting Kourse, where he replaced “c” with “k”.

If your researched name contains words that end with “y” as in creativity – make it “creativiti”.

If it ends with a plural, as in bloggers – make it “bloggerz”.

Include rhyming words

Have you ever wondered why songs sometimes just stick in your head?

It's because rhymes rule the music industry.

So why not use that same strategy when choosing blog or domain names?

If you need a perfect rhyme word search engine, RhymeZone is a great resource to try. End rhymes are particularly effective.

For instance, "blogging" rhymes with "boggling" and "logging", making those two words great choices for a blog name. Here are a few other rhyming blog names that I've brainstormed: BogglingBlogging, BloggingTalking, MindBogglingBlogging, and more.

If you're looking for fitness-related domains, consider names like FitGrit and FitLit.

Don't be afraid to tap into your creative side and let your ideas flow!

Examples of creative blog names

Here is a list of blog names that follow best practices that I’ve discussed so far in this blog post:

When analyzing the below examples, identify the recurring pattern and ask yourself how you can use the same pattern for brainstorming blog names.

1. Smitten Kitchen: Uses a verb and niche keywords that are clear and resonates with food enthusiasts.
2. Zen Habits: It targets a specific audience, those interested in mindfulness and personal development.
3. TechCrunch: Combines the niche keyword 'tech' with the energetic word 'crunch' to appeal to its tech-savvy audience.
4. Boing Boing: Rhyming words make this name catchy and easy to remember, reflecting its diverse and curiosity-driven content.
5. Lifehacker: Incorporates a verb and speaks directly to those looking for tips and hacks to improve various areas of their lives.
6. Perez Hilton: An intentional typo on a famous name makes it unique and memorable, which helped it become a hugely popular celebrity blog.
7. Copyblogger: The niche keywords 'copy' and 'blogger' clearly communicate the focus on content marketing and copywriting.
8. ProBlogger: This name is simple, memorable, and speaks directly to aspiring professional bloggers, a great example of knowing your target audience.
9. Gizmodo: A unique, catchy name that combines 'gizmo' (a slang term for gadget) with a unique suffix, effectively communicating its tech-related content.
10. Engadget: Using a mix 'n match technique with the niche keyword 'gadget', this blog name speaks directly to tech enthusiasts.
11. The Verge: Invokes a sense of being on the cutting edge of technology and culture, appealing to tech-savvy and future-oriented readers.
12. Nerd Fitness: A fitness blog tailored to 'nerds' and geeks who are into fitness, showing a deep understanding of their target audience.
13. Slickdeals: Rhyming words in the blog name make it catchy and easy to remember, effectively communicating its purpose of providing smart deals.
14. Mashable: A unique and catchy name that 'mashes' technology, digital culture, and entertainment news.
15. Brain Pickings: The name directly tells the reader what to expect: carefully selected and thought-provoking content.
16. Pitchfork: Unique, memorable, and provides an image of something edgy and grassroots, resonating well with indie music enthusiasts.
17. Laughing Squid: This blog shares interesting art, culture, and technology from around the web.
18. Serious Eats: This blog offers in-depth recipes, restaurant reviews, and cooking guides for serious food enthusiasts.
19. Budget Bytes: A blog about delicious recipes designed for small budgets. Its name effectively communicates its mission to its target audience.
20. Stone Soup: A food blog focusing on minimalist home cooking, with a name that evokes simplicity and wholesome ingredients.

These blogs have unique and memorable names that resonate with their target audience and clearly communicate what their content is about!

Examples of blog names that failed

• The Daily Beast's "Cheat Sheet" was a daily roundup of news and events. While the name accurately described the content, it lacked a strong brand identity.
• Gawker's "Valleywag" was a blog focused on technology news and gossip. While the name was catchy, it was too niche and didn't resonate with a wider audience. The blog was eventually shut down in 2016.
• The Verge's "This Is My Next" was a blog focused on technology news and reviews. While the name was intended to convey a sense of excitement and anticipation, it was too long and difficult to remember. The blog ultimately rebranded to "The Verge."
• TechCrunch's "CrunchBase" was a platform for discovering and researching companies. While the name accurately described the platform's function, it lacked a distinct identity. The platform was eventually spun off into its own company.

Tools for generating great blog name ideas

My favorite tools

• LeanDomainSearch (I use it all the time)
• NameMesh
• Wordoid
• Nameboy
  • Visual Thesaurus! (Visualize the linked words and synonyms)
• Panabee (for brandable)
• Wordhippo (Killer if used correctly)

These tools help you find great blog name ideas.

My favorite combo

I frequently use LeanDomainSearch to generate domain name ideas. This tool is developed by Automattic, the company responsible for WordPress.

After choosing an effective blog name, it’s equally important to know the availability of the domain name.

In order to do that, there is an instant tool called InstantDomainSearch.

Using ChatGPT

If you're struggling to come up with a creative domain name for your blog, why not try using ChatGPT to generate some ideas?

If you have access to ChatGPT Plus, you can use various domain-related plugins to help you brainstorm ideas.

For example, you could use the DomainsBot plugin.

To get started, supply ChatGPT with a prompt that includes your blog topic and target audience. You can also include any related keywords or phrases that resonate with your audience.

Here's an example prompt:

Please generate a list of creative domain name ideas for my blog on [TOPIC] The blog mainly targets [TARGET AUDIENCE].

Domain name can also include related keywords or phrases that resonate with my target audience. Feel free to incorporate any specific keywords or themes that are relevant.

The domain names should be concise, easy to spell, pass the radio test, and available for registration. I'm looking for unique and memorable names that align with my brand identity and reflect the purpose of my business or website.

Once you've supplied ChatGPT with the prompt, the ChatGPT will internally generate a list of domain name ideas based on your input and then check their available as well using the plugin.

🤖 When brainstorming domain names, try limiting to two-word combinations and give it example relevant keywords to include in the domain names.

Using ChatGPT to generate domain name ideas can be a great way to brainstorm unique and memorable names that accurately reflect your brand and resonate with your target audience.

Give it a try and see what creative ideas you can come up with!

Always check for trademarks

If you don't want to get in trouble or get sued for using a trademarked word in your domain name or brand, it's important to take care of any potential trademark issues ahead of time.

Before registering any domain name, head over to the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS), and select Basic Word Mark Search (New User).

To be on the safe side and avoid any harm to your brand, it's highly recommended that you take a look at the trademark database to ensure that everything is alright.

For instance, "WordPress" is a trademarked term, so you can't use it in your domain name.

Bottomline

Hope this blog post has helped you come up with some creative blog name ideas.

Remember, your blog name is important, but it's not everything. Your content is what truly matters and will bring value to your blog name. So, focus on creating quality content that your audience will love.

No matter how brandable your blog name is, if your content quality is mediocre and no one enjoys reading it.