A Comprehensive List Of Product Naming Strategies.

Product naming is a critical aspect of branding and marketing. A product name is the center point of a retail packaging design, making it the primary means of differentiation. With such importance, your product name must be unique and emotionally compelling to drive sales. 

But how do you choose the right name for your product? What makes a name memorable and effective? And how can you ensure that your brand positioning aligns with your product name?

This article explores product naming strategies to help you choose the perfect name for your product. 

From functional to experiential names, we’ll cover all the different approaches you can take to create a name that resonates with your target audience and drives sales. 

So whether you’re launching a new product, creating a line extension, or rebranding an existing product, read on to discover the secrets of successful product naming.

Brand Naming Considerations

While picking the perfect product name is an essential component of the branding strategy, it is crucial to understand the brand naming considerations first. It helps in guiding the product naming exercises.

The following vital factors come into play when developing a product naming strategy. 

Brand Architecture: It represents the structure of the brand, including the relationship between corporate and product brands. Depending on the brand architecture, a company may choose family naming or individual product name. 

Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach with your product, and what kind of messaging will resonate with them? It will influence the tone and style of your product names, as well as the level of creativity you can use.

Now, let’s discuss various product naming strategies in detail:

Descriptive Names

Descriptive product names vividly showcase the product and its benefits, empowering consumers to grasp its purpose and exceptional qualities. When performed correctly, descriptive names wield substantial influence over customers’ experience, as a name can undeniably create a positive impression, significantly elevating the likelihood of customer purchases.

Suggestive Names

Suggestive names convey the product’s message without explicit statements, expertly stirring curiosity and captivating the target customers. Notable examples include Fitbit, Spotify, Uber, Swordfish, and Air Jordan. However, these names may occasionally result in ambiguity or confusion.

Evocative Names

Evocative names are a product naming strategy that aims to connect emotionally with consumers using words that evoke strong emotions or imagery. These names are often memorable, creative, and unique, and they can help to differentiate your product from competitors in a crowded marketplace. 

Brand-Related Names

Product names related to the brand strengthen brand recognition and loyalty. A recent study reveals that 77% of consumers make purchasing decisions based on the brand name rather than the product’s name. Thus, using product names related to the parent brand not only helps promote brand recognition but also helps to boost sales.

Unique Names

Unique names are easy to remember and completely distinguish the product from the competitors. These names are often creative, unexpected, and attention-grabbing, and they can help to differentiate your product from others in a crowded marketplace. The main advantage of a unique naming strategy is that it is easy to protect and trademark. 

Acronym or Initialism Names

Acronym or initialism names use the initials of longer product descriptions or meaningful phrases to create a shorter, more memorable name. Acronym names are formed by using the first letter of each word in a phrase, while initialism names are created by using the first letter of each word but pronouncing each letter separately.

Compound Words

Compound word names combine two words to develop a unique and meaningful name for the product. Depending on combined words and the intended message, they can be descriptive, evocative, or creative. 

The following are the main types of compound words:

• Open compounds (e.g., “coffee cup”)
• Hyphenated compounds (e.g. “self-care”)
• Closed compounds (e.g. “toothpaste”)

Play on Words

Play on word names involves puns, alliteration, or other linguistic techniques for adding creativity and memorability to the product name. Such names are often witty, clever, and unexpected and help build a solid brand identity.  Play on words strategy helps to create a name that is fun, catchy, and easy to remember so that consumers will recall the product and purchase it. 

Storytelling Names

Product names can convey a story and create a deep connection with the consumer. By using names that evoke certain emotions or sentiments, brands can strengthen their identity or establish a new one. The art of brand storytelling through product names is a powerful tool for marketers to engage and captivate their audience. 

Experiential Names

These names focus on the experience that the product provides or the feeling it evokes. The goal of experimental names is to convey user experience. These names can be created using the wordplay method or alliteration, and they are the best at differentiating the products from competitors and creating a unique brand identity. 

Target Audience-Centric Names

Such product names resonate with the interests and preferences of the target audience. This naming strategy uses relatable language and terminology to meet the target market’s needs. Examples of product names that use target audience-centric naming strategies include Barbie Dolls, targeted towards young girls, and Gatorade, for athletes and sports enthusiasts.

Trendy Or Pop Culture Names

These names are often designed to be catchy and memorable and can help create a buzz around a new product or brand. Companies can use trendy or pop culture names to appeal to a younger demographic or those interested in the latest trends and fads. 

Foreign Or Exotic Names

Foreign or exotic names add a foreign or exotic flair to appeal to consumers seeking unique and global experiences. Companies use these kinds of names to build a unique brand identity. Exotic names can evoke a sense of adventure and excitement and appeal to consumers interested in exploring new cultures and experiences. 

Benefit-Focused Names

Regarding appealing to a specific audience, benefit-focused names are the best choice. These names highlight the primary benefits or advantages of using the product. With the help of these names, even new brands can communicate the value of their products more effectively and help consumers to understand how the product can meet their needs.

Imaginary Or Fantasy Names

Imaginary or fantasy names can evoke a sense of magic and imagination and appeal to consumers interested in exploring new worlds and experiences. Examples of product names that use imaginary or fantasy naming strategies include Oreo Thins and Starbucks Frappuccino.

Geographical Or Regional Names

Geographical and regional product names are suitable for customers who are looking for locally made products. For instance, California Pizza Kitchen uses the name of a specific state to create a sense of place. Similarly, New York & Company uses the name of a specific city to create a sense of identity. The goal of geographic and regional product naming strategy is to make the product sound locally made and convey the traditional message of the region. 

Time-Related Names

Using Time-Related product names is another perfect way to grab customers’ attention in a crowded market. Depending on the intended message, These names can convey a sense of urgency, importance, or timelessness. Time-related names can be formed in several ways, including words that describe periods, the passage of time, or the concept of time itself.

Ethical Or Sustainable Names

Ethical or sustainable product names help communicate a brand’s commitment to ethics, sustainability, and social responsibility.  Such names help develop a solid and unique brand presence within the market. Furthermore, ethical and sustainable names can attract consumers interested in products that align with their values and beliefs.

Limited Edition Names

Limited edition names create a sense of urgency and scarcity around the product and appeal to consumers interested in unique or rare products. The Starbucks’ seasonal drinks and Nike’s limited edition sneakers are perfect examples of limited edition names. It is because these products are either available for a limited time each year or produced in limited quantity. 

User-Generated Names

User-generated names help to increase engagement and connection with consumers and create a sense of ownership and participation around the brand. By involving consumers in the naming process, companies can generate excitement around the product, increasing brand awareness and driving sales. 

Numerical Names

Numeric names work wonders for product lines, as they evoke a sense of order, hierarchy, improvement, and evolution. You can find numerous examples of such products in the market. Take Apple’s iPhone, a renowned product that has been around for years, with consumers witnessing the 13th and 14th generations.

Iconic Names

Iconic names help build substantial brand equity over time. These names create a long-lasting impression in the minds of consumers and make it easier for them to recognize the product. For instance, KFC, Apple, and Domino are all iconic names that are easy to remember, have become synonymous with their respective brands, and are instantly recognizable to consumers. 

Founder Or Creator Names

Founder or creator names give products a personal touch. At the same time, it conveys the message of trust, value, and hard work. Additionally, it helps build a solid connection to the product’s origin. Moreover, these names give the product a unique identity and make it stand out. 

Ingredient-Centric Names

Ingredient-centric naming strategies work best for products that target a specific group of consumers. These names convey the product’s unique properties that align with consumer demands. Such product naming conventions help attract more potential customers who are interested in products that are natural, organic, or free from certain ingredients. 

Sensory-Related Names

Using names that evoke sensory experiences like taste, smell, touch, sight, or sound associated with the product. These names can be used to create a strong connection between the product and the sensory experience it provides. Sensory-related names can be highly effective for new products as it is a powerful way to communicate the sensory experience that the product provides.

Rhyming Names

Creating a name with rhyming words or similar sound patterns makes it catchy and easy to remember. Rhyming names are also highly effective for building an everlasting brand presence. For instance, the KitKat chocolate uses a rhyme which is easy to remember and recognize. However, these names may only sometimes convey the product’s qualities and features. 

Onomatopoeic Names

These names contain words that sound like the action or sound associated with the product. Onomatopoeic names appeal to consumers interested in products that provide a specific sensory experience. For instance, Pop Rocks uses a name that sounds like candy when it pops in the mouth, and Ziploc, which sounds like a bag when it is sealed.

Nostalgic Names

A nostalgic naming strategy is highly effective for products that target consumers interested in products that remind them of childhood or a specific period. It involves naming the product to evoke nostalgia or a connection to the past. For example, the Maggi instant noodle brand has been around since 1884. 

Hybrid Names

Hybrid names are the combination of two or more than two words to create a unique and memorable name. Such kinds of names are highly effective for attracting customers interested in innovations. For example, Microsoft’s Surface Pro combines “surface” and “professional” to create a name that communicates the product’s professional-grade features.

Seasonal Names

Seasonal names are suitable for products manufactured for a limited time or a specific season. These names help to build a sense of urgency and excitement around the product. For example, the famous pumpkin spice latte is a seasonal drink from Starbucks. This drink is only available in the fall season of the year. 

Collaborative Names

Collaborative names are incredibly effective for promoting a new line of products. These names are usually associated with celebrities or sports players. Due to the association with a celebrity or brand, the product name creates a sense of exclusivity and excitement around the product. 

Product Line Extension

These names can leverage the existing product’s popularity and recognition and communicate the new product’s unique properties or benefits. By using product line extension names, companies can appeal to consumers familiar with and loyal to the existing product and interested in trying new variations or flavors.

Sensational Names

Sensational product naming involves using bold and attention-grabbing names to elicit strong consumer reactions. It creates a sense of excitement and energy around the product and works effectively on consumers interested in bold and daring products. 

Versatile Names

These names create a broad and flexible brand identity and communicate the company’s diverse range of products or services. By using versatile names, companies can appeal to consumers interested in products or services that can be used in various ways or offer a range of benefits. It is a powerful way to create a broad, flexible brand identity that resonates with consumers and allows for future growth and expansion.

Data-Driven Product Naming For CPG Brands

Are you looking for the right name for your CPG product? Our data-driven product naming process guides you toward success. As a leading product naming agency, we specialize in creating product naming architecture that resonates with your target audience and drives sales. Book a time to discuss a project with our team.