The State of Brand Naming in 2025
It’s hard to believe that Bootstrap has now been naming brands for more than five years. In this time period, we’ve watched the vast majority of quality .com domains get scooped up, seen name style preferences shift and most recently, witnessed how the influx of AI is changing the game entirely.
All that being said, brand naming remains a cornerstone of establishing a successful business. As a company’s first impression, initial touchpoint and sometimes even the deciding factor in a customer’s journey, we remain committed to helping brands identify and secure the best brand name for their startup. Read on to learn more about our perspective on The State of Brand Naming in 2025.
The Evolving Importance of Domains
While domain names remain a crucial component of a brand's online identity, the traditional emphasis on securing a .com domain has shifted. Many businesses are now prioritizing search engine optimization (SEO) over standalone .com domain extensions. This has led to a more flexible approach to domain name selection, with companies exploring creative alternatives such as country-code TLDs, new gTLDs, and hyphenated domains.
By focusing on building a strong online presence through high-quality content, strategic social media engagement, and effective SEO techniques, businesses can overcome the limitations of less conventional domain names and drive organic traffic to their websites.
The Preference for Simple and Memorable Names
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards simpler, more straightforward brand names. Consumers are increasingly drawn to names that are easy to remember, pronounce, and understand. This trend is particularly evident in the tech industry, where many early-stage startups previously opted for complex, often made-up names.
As the tech landscape matures, consumers are seeking brands that are relatable and authentic. Simple, evocative names can help build trust and loyalty, while complex or overly technical names have the potential to alienate customers. By embracing simplicity, businesses can create brand names that stand the test of time.
The Rise of AI in Brand Naming
AI chat bots have emerged as a powerful tool in the brand naming process, particularly in the early stages of brainstorming. By analyzing vast datasets and identifying trends, AI algorithms can generate a multitude of creative word combinations and potential name ideas. This can help spark inspiration and expand the creative possibilities for brand naming teams.
However, as of now, AI lacks the nuanced understanding of human emotion, cultural context, and brand strategy that is essential for crafting truly impactful brand names. While AI can provide a solid foundation, human creativity and intuition remain indispensable in the final stages of the naming process.
Additionally, AI tools aren’t able to accurately verify the availability of domain names or trademarks. Therefore, thorough due diligence by a human-led team (that’s us!) is necessary to ensure that the chosen brand name is unique and legally protected.
The landscape of brand naming is constantly evolving and will always be shaped by new tech, shifting preferences and new trends. To be candid, we’ve got our eyes on AI, anticipating how it might reshape our area of expertise down the line. When the time comes, we’re confident in our ability to adapt and work in tandem with AI to provide valuable brand development solutions. Stay tuned for more from Bootstrap in Q2.
