Mobile App Name Generator
Find the perfect app name with our intuitive mobile app name generator.
A Guide to Mobile App Names
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're thinking about creating an app. If you're creating an app, one of the very first things you'll need to do is come up with an app name. Our app name generator will help you come up with the perfect name for your app.
With over two million mobile apps currently available on the App Store, and more being added every day, it's more important than ever to make sure your app has a name that will help it stand out from the rest.
A unique, clever, or catchy name can be the difference between an app that gets downloaded a few hundred times and an app that gets downloaded a few thousand times.
Your app's name is one of the first things potential users will see when they're searching for something to download, so it's important to make sure it's something that will grab their attention.
Choosing a name for your app can be a daunting task, but there are a few things you can keep in mind that will help make the process a little bit easier.
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20 Current App Names That Hit the Mark
When trying to come up with app name ideas, you can look to some of the most successful mobile apps on the App Store for inspiration. Here are 20 current app names that hit the mark:
- Airbnb
- Angry Birds
- Bitcoin
- Dropbox
- Evernote
- Foursquare
- Pandora
- Periscope
- Slack
- Snapchat
- Square
- Tinder
- Uber
- Vine
- Vrbo
- Yelp
10 Things to Keep In Mind When Naming Your Mobile App
Before you start brainstorming app names, it's important to understand what goes into a good app name. Here are 10 things you should keep in mind:
1. Define Your Brand
Before you worry about creating a list of catchy names, first consider what your app is going to be about and what kind of message you want to communicate with your name. A good place to start is by coming up with a list of keywords
When coming up with a name for your app, keep in mind both what it does and who you're targeting. You're seeking something that's both memorable and relevant to the app's objective.
Making sure that you have a clear idea of how you want to brand your app is essential before even considering a name. In other words, you want to make sure you have a solid answer to the following question: what distinguishes your app from others? Once you have that figured out, the name will almost write itself.
Here are a few good questions to ask yourself:
- What does my app do? How does it interact with its users?
- What is the target audience for my app?
- How do I want my app to be perceived by users?
Asking these questions will help you focus on the task at hand and come up with an app name that's in line with your brand.
2. Try Keyword App Names
When it comes to keyword brand names (keyword meaning the name is comprised of actual words like "Red" or "Panda") there are three distinct varieties. These categories exist to aid in the identification of a name's subject
Descriptive, Evocative, and Experiential Names
- Descriptive business names are the most straightforward and literally describe what the product or brand is. For example, "Snapchat" is a photo messaging app that allows users to send temporary images. The name is a straightforward and accurate description of the app's function.
- Evocative names seek to elicit an emotional response from its consumers by calling to mind positive feelings or memories. A great example of an evocative app name is "Pinterest." The word "pin" is evocative of feelings of nostalgia and craftiness. The app's interface also reinforces these connotations by featuring images that are pinned to digital corkboards.
- Experiential names are designed to create a sense of anticipation or excitement in the consumer by hinting at the experience they will have while using the product. A good example of an experiential name is "Tinder." The word "tinder" is associated with fire-starting, and the app's interface features a fiery red-orange color scheme. The name also connotes excitement and adventure, which are feelings users hope to experience while using the app.
3. Don't Forget About Invented Names
Invented names are, as the name suggests, completely made up. While this may seem like an easy way to ensure that your app's name is unique, it can be quite difficult to come up with a good one.
If you're going to go with an invented name, make sure it's short, easy to pronounce and spell, and doesn't have any negative connotations. Be sure to check domain availability as well, though finding available domains for invented names tends to be considerably easier than with dictionary words.
Names like "Google" and "Skype" are both examples of successful invented names. Both are names that have become synonymous with the companies they represent, which is another benefit of going with an invented name.
4. Creativity is Key When Naming Your App
Don't be afraid to get creative when it comes to naming your app. You're more likely to come up with a name that will stick in someone's mind if you can be both clever and timely. When you are brainstorming, think outside the box and consider all the possibilities, even those that may seem a little far-fetched at first.
It's possible to have a successful application without it being too serious. In fact, sometimes a little bit of levity can go a long way. Just make sure whatever name you pick is still relevant to the purpose of your app.
5. Unique Names vs Incomprehensible Names
Remember, the goal is to come up with a name that is both unique and memorable. While it's important to be creative, don't get so caught up in being different that you forget to be understood. A good app name should be something that users can easily remember and associate with your app.
It's worth noting that the greatest e-commerce companies are not always the ones that have the most unique name. Being unique for the sake of being unique can often result in a name that is difficult to pronounce, hard to remember, and just plain odd.
You want your app's name to be something that people can easily remember and won't have any trouble pronouncing when they see it written down. The last thing you want is for your app to get lost in a sea of other apps because its name is just too difficult for people to understand.
6. Spelling Often Spells Success
In many cases, spelling can make or break a brand, or app, name. A common mistake people make when naming apps is assuming that because they are using made-up words, they can spell them however they want and people will figure it out. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
If you're going to use a made-up word in your app's name, make sure it's spelled in a way that is easy for people to understand. If you're not sure how to spell something, odds are that neither will your users. It's hard to generate business for an app that no one can find because they can't spell the name.
7. .com vs the Rest
When it comes to naming your app, you also need to consider the domain name. Most apps want an exact match domain, meaning that their URL matches the name of their app.
Exact match domain names mean that users can type in the name of your app and be taken directly to your website without having to remember a long URL. They also tend to rank higher in search engine results, which is always a plus. While an exact match domain name is ideal, it's not always possible to get one. Checking domain availability is as simple as doing a quick search online.
So which domain extension should you choose? The main domain extensions are .com, .net, and .org, but one extension is head and shoulders above the rest, and that's .com.
In most cases, you're going to want to go with a .com extension. The reason for this is that .com domains are often taken by companies that have been around for a long time. While there are other options out there, the dot-com extension is the most common and most recognizable domain extension and, as a result, it's the one people will type into their browser when they're looking for your app. Unless you have a very good reason not to, always go with .com.
8. Get Feedback on Your Business Name Ideas List
Asking for feedback from friends, family and even strangers can be a great way to get some insight into what other people think of your app's name. Making a list of app name ideas and then showing it to other people can help you narrow down your list and come up with a name that you're confident in.
Make sure to get their organic first impressions on pronunciation and spelling, which will help you determine whether or not your app's name is actually as user-friendly as you think it is. Have them write down their thoughts on a sheet of paper or in a Google doc, and then compile all the responses.
Getting varied perspectives on your app's name is also a good way to get an idea of how it might be received by different people. If you're stuck between a few different names, asking for feedback can help you make the final decision.
9. Trademark Your Unique App Name
Before you settle on a name for your mobile app, you should do a quick search to see if it's already been trademarked. Sites like Trademarkia make it easy to do a quick search for both registered and unregistered trademarks.
You don't want to choose a name for your app only to find out later that it's already been taken. Trademarking your app's name is also a good way to protect it from being used by someone else in the future.
The steps to trademarking your app's name are relatively simple and, in most cases, you can do it all yourself. However, if you're not sure where to start, you can always consult with a trademark attorney.
10. Build a Brand Around Your New App Name
With your new mobile app name in hand, it's time to start building your brand.
Your app's name is going to be the foundation of your brand so it's important to make sure you're happy with it before moving forward. Once you've settled on
a name, there are a few things you can do to start building your brand around it.
- Create a logo that reflects your app's name and what it does
- Come up with a tagline or slogan that sums up what your app is all about
- Choose a color scheme and font that you will use on all of your marketing materials
- Create a website using your domain name
- Register your mobile app with the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
- Start building a social media presence using your new app's name
Catchy App Names + Analysis
WhatsApp is a free messaging app that works on iOS, Android, Windows & Mac. It works on every phone network internationally and has end-to-end encryption - not even WhatsApp can listen to or read your messages. The WhatsApp name is catchy and unique, combining two everyday words to create a memorable app name.
Canva
Combining the uniqueness of an invented name with the emotional connection of an evocative moniker, the Canva app offers up a blank canvas with premium graphic design tools. Canva has simplified the photoshop capabilities as well as the creation of new content, whether your goal is a Facebook header or an illustrated children’s book.
Conclusion
The name of your app is a critical decision that should not be taken lightly, but don't be afraid to be bold. With a little study and creativity, you can come up with a fabulous name for your business. So apply these tips, do your research, and come up with a name that will help your app stand out from the rest.