Product names — how do you come up with one?

[zridling]

I wouldn't wish this process on anyone! and cannot imagine coming up with a name for a new software program. If you're a developer, how do you come up with a name? I can understand naming a product after its functionality, but so often every variant you can imagine is already taken. And if you're a user, what would you suggest?

[mouser]

great question!

i have come up with some real losers and some i hope winners

i try to have 2 rules:
1) do a google search and it shouldnt return more than 1 or 2 hits
2) name should reflect function of the app.

mistakes i have made in the past:
1) don't use a name that could be spelled different ways and with punctuation:
e.g. "find and run robot" vs "find+run robot" vs. "find&run robot" = bad bad bad

[mouser]

i also want to point out that naming an app can be very fun and motivating - it breathes some life into a project idea and can really motivate you.

[zridling]

I think the last thing I would go for would be an obscure name. Better than it be descriptive rather than confusing. Lots of P2P or bittorrent apps have nondescript names.

[mouser]

another mistake i make a lot as zaine is quick to remind me
is that i sometimes leave out the spaces and sometime put them in
ie "ScreenshotCaptor" vs. "Screenshot Captor"

pick one and stick with it!

[momonan]

skrommel is a master at names.  does it quickly and, seemingly, effortlessly.  Every title is witty, to the point, and related to the product.  I really think that no major program should be released from DCC without getting skrommel's input on the title.

Find and Run Robot is a great name (didn't realize there were such problems with variations).  So is Popup Wisdom.  I kind of like having the words completely spelled out, even if users will tend to establish abbreviations.  Can we all concentrate on finding the right name for clipboard help + spell?

[mouser]

lol regarding clipboard help+spell, so true.

and i agree 90% with skrommel comment, he is a master at naming.  however he does violate my #1 rule - some of his names are used by other applications and would be extremely hard to locate if you try to do a google search for them (ie ProcessGuard).