Let’s play a quick game. Which of these names sticks in your head?

• “Zizzle”

• “Xyphlyth”

If you picked the first one, congratulations – your brain works like 99% of customers. That’s the power of phonetic business names, and today I’m going to show you how to generate them like a pro (without losing your sanity).

Why Your Business Name Sounds Like a Keyboard Smash (And How to Fix It)

Last year, a friend launched “Klynch & Bryx” – a boutique bakery. Cute, right? Except:

• 60% of customers called asking for “Klinch & Bricks”

• Their Google My Business listing got auto-corrected to “Clinch & Brix”

• DoorDash drivers showed up at a hardware store

Moral of the story? If people can’t say it, spell it, or remember it, your name is working against you.

What Makes a Name Phonetically Perfect?

✅ Fewer than 3 syllables (Google, Shopify, Zoom)
✅ No silent letters (No “Psykik Koffee”)
✅ Passes the “bar test” (Yell it across a noisy room – does it translate?)

3 Free Tools That Saved My Naming Sanity

After naming 12 businesses (and regretting 5), here’s what actually works:

1. Namelix (The AI That Gets You)

• Type in “cozy bookstore” → Gets “NovelNest”

• Why I love it: Suggests names that feel right, not just dictionary words

2. Wordoid (For “Almost Words” That Work)

• Example outputs:

  • “Brewmance” (for a coffee shop)

  • “Snackolade” (chocolate-covered pretzels)

• Pro tip: Toggle the “easy to pronounce” filter

3. The “Drunk Text” Test

• Text the name to a friend at 2 AM

• If they reply “???” – back to the drawing board

Real-World Winners (And What We Can Steal From Them)

Good Examples

• Squatty Potty: Ridiculous but roll-off-the-tongue

• Hinge (Dating App): Simple, implies connection

• Bumble: Sounds friendly, easy to spell

Failed Experiments

• Qwikster (Netflix): Everyone typed “Quickster”

• Anal(ytics).com: Just…no.

Your 5-Minute Naming Workflow

1. Mashup Your Keywords

   • “Fresh” + “Pizza” = Frezza (not “Phphresczha”)

2. Run It Through a Phonetic Generator

   • Namelix.com → Filters by “short & brandable”

3. Test Like Your Business Depends On It (Because It Does)

   • Say it out loud 10 times

   • Google it – is there a porn site with the same name? (Happens more than you’d think)

FAQ: Answering Your “But What About…?”

“Should I use a pun?”

Only if it’s immediately obvious:

• ✅ “Wok This Way” (Asian fusion)

• ❌ “Pita Pan” (…why?)

“The .com is taken – now what?”

Try:

• Adding “get” (GetFrezza.com)

• Using “.co” if you’re cool (Frezza.co)

“Can I change it later?”

Yes, but rebranding costs 3-5x more than getting it right the first time.

Final Tip: Sleep On It

The best names grow on you. Slack sounded weird at first too.

Action Step: Open Namelix right now, type in one keyword, and see what sticks. Your perfect name is closer than you think.

More Naming Gold

1. How We Named Our Business (And Why Sales Tripled)

2. Trademark Nightmares: 5 Stories That’ll Scare You Straight

3. The Psychology Behind Why “Uber” Works