# Naming Workshop > Facilitates business or product naming with brainstorming frameworks, evaluation criteria, domain checks, and trademark considerations. Use when naming anything new. - Skill: `reaperinvest/naming-workshop` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/naming-workshop` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/naming-workshop/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/naming-workshop --- # Naming Workshop ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Name a new business, product, service, or feature - Rename an existing brand or product line - Generate name options for a podcast, newsletter, course, or community - Evaluate name candidates against objective criteria **DO NOT** use this skill for tagline writing, domain purchasing, or trademark filing. This is for the naming ideation and evaluation process. --- ## Core Principle A GREAT NAME IS MEMORABLE, SPELLABLE, AND AVAILABLE — IT DOES NOT NEED TO DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO, BUT IT MUST NOT CONFUSE PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **What to name** | "What are you naming? (business, product, feature, event)" | Must be provided | | **Description** | "Describe what it does or offers in 1-2 sentences." | Must be provided | | **Audience** | "Who is the target customer?" | Must be provided | | **Tone** | "What feeling should the name evoke? (professional, playful, bold, minimal, techy)" | Bold and approachable | | **Names you like** | "Share 2-3 brand names you admire (from any industry) and why." | None | | **Names to avoid** | "Any style or direction you dislike?" | None | | **Domain preference** | "Must have .com, or open to alternatives (.co, .io, .xyz)?" | .com preferred | **GATE: Confirm brief before brainstorming.** --- ## Phase 2: Generate ### Naming Frameworks Use 4-5 of these approaches to generate 30-50 candidates: 1. **Descriptive** — says what it does (PayPal, YouTube) 2. **Suggestive** — hints at the benefit (Pinterest, Slack) 3. **Abstract** — invented word, no direct meaning (Kodak, Xerox) 4. **Metaphorical** — borrows from another domain (Amazon, Apple) 5. **Compound** — combines two real words (Facebook, Snapchat) 6. **Acronym** — letters from a longer name (IBM, NASA) 7. **Founder-based** — uses a person's name (Tesla, Bloomberg) 8. **Foreign word** — uses a word from another language (Volvo, Audi) ### Generation Rules - Generate at least 30 candidates across multiple frameworks - Include a mix of safe and bold options - Note the framework used for each name - Do not self-filter during generation — quantity first, quality later **GATE: Present the full candidate list before evaluating.** --- ## Phase 3: Evaluate ### Scoring Criteria Rate each shortlisted name (top 10) on these criteria (1-5 scale): | Criteria | What It Measures | |----------|-----------------| | **Memorability** | Can someone recall it after hearing it once? | | **Spellability** | Can someone type it correctly from hearing it? | | **Pronounceability** | Is there only one obvious pronunciation? | | **Distinctiveness** | Does it stand out from competitors? | | **Tone match** | Does it feel right for the brand personality? | | **Scalability** | Will it still work if the business expands? | | **Domain availability** | Is the .com (or preferred TLD) available? | ### Deliverables **1. Shortlist with Scores** - Top 5-10 names with evaluation scores - Pros and cons for each - Domain availability status (check .com, .co, .io) **2. Trademark Preliminary Check** - Quick search for existing trademarks in the same class - Note: this is a preliminary screening, not legal advice. Recommend professional trademark search before final decision. **3. Name Presentation** - Each finalist with a one-line rationale - Mockup suggestion: how it would look on a website header, social profile, or business card --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### Decision Framework If the user is stuck between finalists: 1. Say each name out loud 10 times — which feels natural? 2. Text it to 5 people and ask them to spell it back to you 3. Imagine introducing your business at a conference using that name 4. Check social media handle availability ### Next Steps Checklist - [ ] Domain registered - [ ] Social handles secured (all major platforms) - [ ] Professional trademark search initiated - [ ] Name tested with 5-10 target customers - [ ] Logo design brief created (use the brand-identity-guide skill) --- ## Example 1: AI Productivity Tool for Freelancers **Candidates:** FlowForge, TaskPilot, Workstream AI, Nimblework, LaunchPad, Cog.co **Winner:** FlowForge — suggestive (flow + building), memorable, .com available, works for expansion ## Example 2: Newsletter for Startup Founders **Candidates:** The Bootstrapper, First Round Notes, Founder Fuel, Ship It Weekly, Zero to Launch **Winner:** Founder Fuel — compound, energetic tone, scalable beyond newsletter format --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Describing everything in the name** — "AI-Powered Automated Social Media Content Creation Platform" is a description, not a name. - **Misspelling real words** — "Lyft" and "Flickr" worked because of massive marketing budgets. Most misspellings just look like typos. - **Too similar to competitors** — a name one letter different from a major competitor invites confusion and legal risk. - **Falling in love with an unavailable name** — if the .com is taken and the trademark exists, move on. Attachment to unavailable names wastes time. - **Naming by committee** — too many opinions produce bland compromises. Limit final decision to 1-2 people. --- ## Recovery - **User hates all candidates:** Ask which 3 they dislike least and why. The reason for rejection often reveals unspoken criteria. Adjust and regenerate. - **Perfect name but domain taken:** Try adding "get," "use," "try," or "hello" as prefix. Or consider alternative TLDs (.co, .io) if the audience is tech-savvy. - **Name is great but hard to spell:** Test it — ask 5 people to spell it after hearing it once. If more than 1 fails, it is a problem. - **Cannot commit to a name:** Set a deadline. A good name shipped beats a perfect name in limbo. Names build meaning through use, not through the word itself.