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Retro business name generator

Generate business name ideas for your retro store

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The no-hassle four step naming process for your retro business

Coming up with a memorable, professional, or market-defining name for your retro business can be a stressful process—but it doesn't have to be! Below, we highlight our simple four-step process to help you find the perfect name for your business.

Consider possible naming options

Start by brainstorming name ideas for your retro business. What words immediately come to mind? "Innovative," "versatile," and "functional" are all examples of terms you may wish to be associated with your business.

Rank your options

Next, analyze the names you've shortlisted to see if any of them are hard to remember, spell, or pronounce (you'll have to keep this in mind when you pick your brand name as well). You should also consider if any of the words aren't in your target audience's native language and how this might affect them and their ability to find you online.

Use names that your target audience will easily recognize and bond with.

Here's a set of questions to consider with a business name:

Is it simple to recall?
Is it difficult to understand?
Is it one-of-a-kind?
Is there any symbolism that your audience can relate to?
Is there any slang in the name?

Collect constructive advice

Deciding on your retro business name can be hard to pin down. A group of friends or family members may be able to help you come up with some great ideas, but it's usually better to get feedback from people who are unfamiliar with the business. This is to ensure that you receive unbiased feedback that you can act on.

Ask questions like:

What comes to mind when you hear this name?
Is it possible for you to spell it without having to think about it?
Have you ever heard of this company?
Would you buy from a company with this name?

With this feedback, you can cross a few names off your list and focus on the ones that have more promise.

Is the domain name still available?

The next step is to check whether the remaining retro business names are available to purchase as a domain. You don't have to buy the domain immediately, but you should be aware if one is currently taken. Another thing to look for is if the names have been trademarked or used in any way by a competitor. A simple Google search can help you find this out.

Five tips for naming your retro business

Although it's true that your business name is only an introduction to the brand, a good business name will help you shape how people view your company. Creating a name that's memorable and unique can give you a leg up on your competitors.

There no doubt that this process can be tedious and frustrating, so here are five tips for coming up with a distinctive retro business name:

Avoid words that are easily misspelled

Spend some time thinking about how you spell your business name. If you don't want potential customers to have a hard time finding your business online, avoid names that are easily misspelled. It's best to stick with basic spelling rather than altering or removing letters from your name. For example, replacing "I" with "y" or "to" with "2" can drive customers away and make you website harder to find.

Avoid commonplace words

The best way to make yourself stand out from the crowd is to show what makes you different. It’s important to keep in mind what your brand proposition is and make sure that your business name reflects those values. Write down in the simplest terms what makes you different and ensure that you refer back to this when naming your retro business.

Allow future company growth

Adding your current location or product offering to your business name could limit future growth. Consider how challenging it would be to introduce a new product line or start in a new sector if your company's name is too specific. So focus on coming up with a unique phrase that characterizes your organization instead of naming it after your product or location. This way you won't limit future growth of your business.

Connect with your audience in your name

Your name and website are two of the first impressions people get from your business. You want to create a brand that people want to follow and benefit from. When choosing your retro business name, it’s important to think about the emotions you want your customers to feel when they see your name. Focus on the experience your brand offers and how you can create a name that builds customer loyalty.

Acquire your domain early

It's never too early to register your domain name. As a new entrepreneur, you often have little control over when your business will start generating revenue. But by registering your domain early, you have a better chance of ranking well in Google search, and therefore a better chance of reaching your target customer. The cost of a domain name can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on what type of domain name you choose.

When launching a new business, coming up with business name may not rank high on your list of things to do. But it's so important! Without a strong, memorable name for your retro business, you can't buy a domain name, set up a website, or promote your brand or products. Shopify can help you do all this and more. We give you support when you need it and can help ensure that you achieve success for your business.

FAQs

How does the retro business name generator work?

The retro business name generator provides instant suggestions in three simple steps:

Think of a word that best describes your retro brand
Enter into the name generator field
Click “Generate names” button

All done! You now have over 100 possibilities to select from or use as inspiration.

How do I come up with retro name ideas?

When it comes to retro company names, it’s all about authenticity. What retro products, services, or experiences do you offer? How are you different from your competitors? Consider who your customers will be. In general, successful retro business names are:

Universal: this means the brand name makes sense across different languages
Easy to pronounce: you want your retro name to be easy to find and remember
Non-specific: if you have a vision of expanding your retro company, you may want to ensure your name isn’t too specific so you can include other products or services

These days, business names are as diverse as the products and services themselves. Shopify’s free name generator is here to help inspire a creative and unique name for your business.

How do I find catchy retro names?

Catchy retro business names are original, fresh, and memorable. As you brainstorm a name, consider employing these methods to inject a little fun into it:

Alliterate (e.g. Glory Girls Retro)
Use acronyms (e.g. WBT - Way Back Then)
Rhyme (e.g. The Ridge Vintage)
Abbreviate (e.g. The Antique Bros.)

What are some unique retro names?

You can search words in Shopify’s free business name generator tool, but here are some examples of unique words to include in a retro business name: * Cassette (Cassette Vintage) * Jukebox (The Jukebox) * Thunderbird (Thunderbird Corner) * Glam (Antique Glam) * Ruby (Ruby’s Retro) * Flapper (Flapper Ave)

Is the retro names generator free?

The retro business name generator tool from Shopify is free for everyone to use. Run as many searches as you need!

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