Naming.
A name is the one piece of your brand that goes everywhere - business cards, search results, verbal conversations, legal documents. It needs to be distinctive, available, and built to last. Naming is where strategy meets linguistics.
01 - Briefing & naming criteria
What should the name communicate, what should it avoid, and in what markets will it be used? We define clear criteria before generating names - so evaluation is objective, not a matter of taste.
02 - Name generation
Generating candidates across different naming approaches: descriptive, invented, metaphorical, and hybrid. Quantity first - a wide field gives us better options at the evaluation stage.
03 - Validation & selection
Domain availability, basic trademark landscape check, and phonetic testing across relevant languages. We narrow to a shortlist of names that hold up under scrutiny - then make a recommendation.
What you get
Name candidates
A shortlist of 5 to 8 name candidates, each with rationale explaining how they meet the brief criteria. No unexplained options - every name earns its place on the list.
Domain & trademark check
Domain availability (.com, .nl, and relevant TLDs) and a basic trademark landscape check per candidate. Flags potential conflicts before you invest further in a name.
Recommendation report
Documented recommendation of the preferred name with full rationale, usage context, and notes on visual and verbal potential. A decision brief you can share with stakeholders.
Selected work
"It was a wonderful experience seeing you design our branding and website with care and creativity. The result exceeded our expectations!"
Kyle Bejnerowicz, The Diamond Baritones
"Patrick brought ideas and direction that strengthened the whole project - the site captures the energy of a live performance in a way we couldn't have imagined."
Timothy Deelstra, Founder, Forever Tributes
"Patrick was brought in on a troubled project. He repositioned our proposition, cleaned up the entire Webflow build and handled SEO. Results came almost immediately."
Esther Schröder, Marketer, Zeton B.V.
Frequently asked questions
- How many name options will I receive?
- You receive a shortlist of 5 to 8 validated candidates, each with rationale. More options aren't necessarily better - what matters is that the shortlist is strong and each name is there for a reason.
- Do you provide trademark registration?
- No - trademark registration is handled by a trademark attorney. I provide a basic landscape check to flag obvious conflicts. For final clearance, you'll want a specialist.
- Can naming work be done without brand strategy first?
- Yes - but it works better with strategy in place. Naming criteria are informed by positioning. If you don't know what your brand stands for yet, we can do a lightweight strategy phase to frame the naming work.
- What does naming cost?
- A naming engagement typically runs between €1.500 and €3.000, depending on scope and whether it's part of a broader branding project.
Let's talk.
Tell me about your brand. I'll tell you whether I can help - and how.
Schedule a free intake