Common Brand Naming Mistakes and How Not to Make Them

Common Brand Naming Mistakes and How Not to Make Them
7 min read

Are you prepared to start the thrilling process of building a brand? Choosing a name for your brand is like giving it a personality; it sets the tone for your company and has the power to succeed or fail. But boy, there are some naming errors that lots of business owners make! But don't worry, we'll show you how to avoid making them in this blog post. 

From avoiding generic names that blend into the crowd to steering clear of confusing and hard-to-pronounce titles, we've got you covered. So let's dive right in and discover the secrets behind crafting a catchy and unforgettable brand name!

Introduction to Brand Naming

When it comes to creating a new brand, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the perfect name. A great brand name can help your business stand out from the competition, communicate what you do, and attract customers. But coming up with a good name is not always easy. Successful brand naming can lead to a brand becoming synonymous with a particular product or service category, fostering brand dominance.

When naming their brands, companies frequently commit a few errors. You'll be able to select a compelling, memorable name for your company by avoiding these blunders.

Using a made-up word as your brand name is a typical error. Although these kinds of names can be catchy, many times people have trouble pronouncing and remembering them. They might be challenging to trademark as well. If you choose to use a made-up word, make sure it is simple to pronounce, spell, and has some connection to your company.

Choosing a name that is overly literal or detailed is another error. While it's crucial to pick a name that accurately sums up what your company does, you don't want to be overly blatant about it. 

You also want to avoid names that are too long or complicated. A simple, straightforward name is usually best. It should be easy for people to remember and spell, and it shouldn't be confused with other brands in your industry.

Common Brand Naming Mistakes

  1. Choosing a name that is too similar to another brand in your industry: This can create confusion for customers and make it difficult for your brand to stand out.
  1. Not conducting adequate study into the name's meaning It's crucial to confirm that the name you select doesn't carry any unfavourable meanings in other languages or cultures.
  1. Making the name too long or complicated: A simple, easy-to-pronounce name is more likely to stick in people’s minds than a long or complicated one.
  1. Not taking into account how the name would appear on marketing collateral: Your website, business cards, and other marketing materials should all reflect the name you chose well.
  1. Failing to trademark the name: Once you’ve settle on a name, be sure to trademark it so no one else can use it.

Famous Brand Naming Fails and What We Can Learn from Them

Naming a brand is one of the most important aspects of marketing, yet it's also one of the most difficult. Businesses must stay vigilant and adapt to evolving global trademark development trends to stay ahead in the global market and safeguard their brand's reputation. Get it right and your brand will be remembered for years to come; get it wrong and you'll be known as the company with the unfortunate name.

Unfortunately, even the most experienced marketers can make naming mistakes. In this article, we'll take a look at some famous brand naming fails and what we can learn from them.

  1. Pepsi Max - Pepsi just introduced a new beverage named "Pepsi Max." The issue? Another product, an over-the-counter drug for heartburn relief, was already using the name. The beverage had to be rebranded by Pepsi as "Pepsi Zero Sugar."
  1. Gap - In 2016, Gap tried to rebrand itself as "Gap Inc." The new logo was met with widespread criticism and the company quickly reverted back to its old name and logo.
  1. Microsoft - In 2014, Microsoft rebranded its corporate logo from the long-standing "Windows" flag to a more modern 4-paned window icon. The change was met with mixed reactions but ultimately Microsoft decided to stick with the new logo.
  1. KFC - In 2015, KFC launched a new campaign called "Finger Lickin' Good" in China. However, the Chinese translation of the slogan was unfortunately literal, leading many to believe that KFC

Strategies to Avoid Making Brand Naming Mistakes

When it comes to brand names, there are a lot of potential pitfalls. But with a little careful planning, you can avoid making common mistakes. Here are some strategies to keep in mind:

  1. Don't get too clever. A brand name should be easy to remember and pronounce. If it's too cute or convoluted, people will have trouble remembering it – and that's not good for business.
  1. Make sure the meaning is clear. A brand name should convey some sense of what the company or product does. It shouldn't be too vague or generic, but it also shouldn't be so specific that it limits the potential for growth.
  1. Avoid trends. A trendy name might sound great today, but it could quickly become dated tomorrow. Choose a name that will stand the test of time.
  1. Keep it simple. A brand name should be short, sweet, and to the point. The simpler, the better.
  1. Give it a try. Before choosing a final name, test it out on a range of people to see how they respond, including friends, family, coworkers, and strangers. Does it readily slide off the tongue? Is it simple to recall? Does it arouse the appropriate associations? Before making a decision, seek the opinions of as many people as you can.

Conclusion


Developing the perfect brand name is an important step in building a successful product or service. It helps to set you apart from competitors and create a lasting impression with consumers. A brand name development agency can be a valuable partner in shaping your brand's narrative and making a lasting impression on your customers. You must be aware of the usual blunders to avoid if you want to guarantee that your brand stands out. When creating your own brand name, you may assure that it will be memorable and significant by avoiding these blunders. You can give your company a distinctive and effective identity with the appropriate plan.

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Hammad Khan 2
Joined: 11 months ago
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