Stories behind the most iconic Brand Names

Brand names aren't just labels; they're narratives—compact tales of innovation and vision. In a few letters, they encapsulate journeys of creativity, aspiration, and bold leaps. Join us on an exhilarating exploration as we unravel the enigmatic stories behind renowned brand names.

Each brand name is a chapter in the epic saga of business, steeped in ambition and woven with the threads of creativity.

Welcome to the captivating world where every brand name hides an inspiring story, waiting to be discovered.

Alphabet

Google's assets, including Nest, Calico, and Google Ventures, are managed by Alphabet, a company that is not well-known but is an excellent choice for a group of brands.

The name Alphabet fits as there is a project, business, or product of Google for each letter of the Alphabet.

This versatility makes Alphabet an excellent choice for a diverse company. The company's dedication to excellence and innovation is inspiring, making Alphabet an outstanding choice for a company with multiple brands.

Alphabet has chosen one of the most incredible and unique domain names on the internet - ABC. Xyz. This memorable and creative choice perfectly reflects the company's innovative and forward-thinking approach to technology.

By selecting a domain name that's short, catchy, and outside of the traditional .com or .net options, Alphabet has demonstrated its willingness to break from convention and chart its course.

Durex

Durex is a well-known and trusted brand that delivers a sense of safety to customers.

The name is a combination of "Durable," "Reliable," and "Excellence," which are critical values of the company. "Durex" immediately brings to mind the concept of "Durability" that is desired by people from a birth control company.

The name has a powerful impact, making Durex a respected brand name.

Reddit

Often referred to as the "front page of the internet." The company's name is a clever play on "read it," highlighting its mission to deliver quality content from all corners of the world.

The name "Reddit" also has a positive connotation, meaning "to render" or submit for approval in Latin.

This emphasizes the site's publication process and its focus on sharing modern and original content. Overall, Reddit is a valuable resource for anyone interested in staying updated on the latest news and trends in the digital world.

Amazon

Amazon.com is one of the most successful e-commerce marketplaces in the world.

The founder, Jeff Bezos, initially planned to name it "Cadabra" but received feedback that it sounded too much like "Cadaver."

After considering various options, he chose the name "Amazon" as the vastness and diversity of the Amazon River inspired it.

Bezos wanted his company to become the largest in the world, which he has managed to achieve successfully.

Although the name may not be directly related to commerce, it has a strong emotional appeal and has contributed to the brand's success.

Apple

Although not an obvious choice for a technology company, Apple's name has a deep meaning. "Apple" is associated with nutrition, growth, and organic development.

The name also draws attention to the concept of discovery, reminding us of Isaac Newton and his discovery of gravity when an apple hit him on the head while sitting under a tree.

The name is short, memorable, and impactful.

Blackberry

The Blackberry Company's downfall was not due to its naming strategy. Blackberry chose its name to reflect one of the defining features of its phone - a series of small buttons that resembled a blackberry fruit.

Like Apple, Blackberry's name also has a refreshing and organic sound. Naming a technology company as a fruit helps to connect an unknown and unfamiliar concept to something we can easily relate to growth and value.

Dove

The brand name "Dove" is already imbued with significant meaning across the globe. The Dove symbol represents purity and innocence, which reinforces the reliability of the company's products.

Simultaneously, the Dove symbolizes romance and love, which the company sought to associate with when establishing an emotional connection with its audience.

Haagen-Dazs

Sometimes, you must think outside the box to convey the right ideas. "Häagen-Dazs" is wholly invented and designed to sound Danish, even though umlauts aren't common in Denmark.

According to the people behind the company, they wanted to choose a foreign and exotic-sounding name to differentiate themselves from other ice cream companies. The exotic title conveys a sense of luxury and indulgence, which is perfect for a premium brand.

Caterpillar

At first, Caterpillar seems like an unusually organic name for a company specializing in developing vehicles and trucks. However, it comes from a description of the company's products.

A photographer noticed the design of the machines reminded him of a caterpillar moving along the ground, and the name stuck.

The great thing about the Caterpillar name is how versatile it has become. Many professionals now refer to the organization simply as "Cat," which has its connections with agility and elegance.

Gap

The name of the clothing brand 'Gap' is designed to be concise, memorable and meaningful.

The brand name emphasizes the company's focus on younger customers by highlighting the difference in perspective between adults and children.

Google

Naming a business is a crucial task for any entrepreneur. While some companies manage to come up with a catchy name by chance, most businesses need to think about selecting the right name.

Google is a perfect example of a business that got lucky with its name. Initially, the name was supposed to be "Googol." This name made sense for a company that wanted to emphasize the vast number of search results it could deliver.

However, due to a spelling mistake, the domain name was registered as "Google." Larry Page, one of the company's co-founders, liked how it looked and sounded. Today, Google is a household name and one of the most successful companies in the world.

Kodak

The process of naming a brand can be unique to each company. Kodak is an excellent example of this, as its name was chosen for its sound.

George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, invented the word himself because he liked the letter "K" and believed it would effectively convey a strong message.

Using two "K's" also creates a clicking sound when pronounced, reminiscent of the traditional sound of a camera shutter. This made it an ideal choice for a photography company.

Sony

The company's name originates from its early audio technology products.

The word "Sony" comes from the Latin word "Sonus," which means "sound."

However, the founders have also stated that the name is associated with the colloquial term "sonny boy," which emphasizes the company's focus on young men, its target audience.

The name is catchy, energetic, and easy to pronounce.

Slack

"Slack" - an acronym for "Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge" - carries a more profound meaning beyond its technical roots. It also connotes taking a break and giving oneself breathing room. This concept behind the name is what makes the USP of the Slack brand so compelling.

In Slack, colleagues can come together asynchronously to connect and stay on top of their work. The word "Slack" evokes a sense of friendliness and relaxation, inspiring us to collaborate peacefully and achieve great things together.

Snapple

Snapple's experience teaches us an important lesson: we should not be afraid to make changes when creating a lasting impact.

The company's decision to switch from "Unadulterated Food Products" to "Snapple" was a stroke of genius.

By coining a new, fun, and memorable word, Snapple created a brand name that is easy to pronounce and remember.

This reminds us that with the right mindset, even the most minor changes can make a big difference in how our businesses are perceived.

Tesla

At the heart of Tesla's success story lies a deep commitment to innovation and a bold vision for the future.

The company's name, inspired by one of history's greatest inventors, is a testament to the power of imagination and the limitless possibilities of human creativity.

Tesla's unwavering dedication to producing sustainable and cutting-edge vehicles has transformed the automotive industry and redefined what is possible.

Tesla has inspired a new generation of thinkers and innovators through their groundbreaking work, proving that anything is achievable with a bold idea and the courage to pursue it.

CyberBeast

Since we are talking about Tesla, let's discuss the most recent surprising and creative nomenclature strategy of the CyberTruck name.

Tesla has always been unconventional in modifying the name of the base brand and continues to pave the way for innovation and creativity.

Instead of creating a modifier name like Cybertruck Beast, which would have been the most logical naming convention, Tesla has always ignored conventional branding rules and inspired others to think outside the box.

Starbucks

Starbucks, the leading coffee company in the world, draws its name from an unusual source: the chief mate in the classic novel Moby Dick, Starbucks.

The company's logo features a minimalist mermaid, which is a nod to its origins. The name "Starbucks" is easy to remember and say and evokes a sense of exploration and quality, making it an ideal match for an innovative brand.
It's no wonder that Starbucks has become a household name and a symbol of excellence in the coffee industry.

Lego

"Leg Godt" - the inspiration behind the name "Lego." This simple phrase embodies a company's vision dedicated to creating children's toys that encourage play and imagination.

The name "Lego" is a testament to this vision, and it is easy to see why it is such a memorable and iconic brand.

Absolut

Absolut is one of our top examples of good brand names for getting all the foundations of business naming right. The title is easy to say, this inctive, and suitable for trademarking because it doesn't simply replicate the word "Absolute."

The term sounds exotic, which makes us think of a premium product, and it has a fantastic ability to evoke a sense of purity. The word "Absolut" is ideal for making us feel like a clean, comprehensive, and powerful brand.

Nike

Nike's success story is a testament to the power of a simple, memorable name and logo design.

The name's hidden meaning, borrowed from the Greek Goddess of Victory, symbolizes the company's commitment to helping people achieve their athletic goals.

Nike's logo, based on the shape of Nike's wings, is a constant reminder that victory is always within reach with hard work and determination.

Panera

Panera's name is more than just a combination of two words. It represents the company's dedication to creating the best bread for future generations.

The word "pan" means bread in Spanish, while "era" means time or age in Latin.

This name embodies the start of a new era of bread-making, where the focus is on creating the best possible bread throughout time.