You've finally decided to start your podcast. You're so excited! But now you have to come up with a name for it. The last thing you want is for people to confuse your show with another one. That's why we put together this list of 5 tips on how to come up with a unique and creative name for your podcast that will help it stand out from the rest in no time!
Think of a word or phrase that describes your podcast
One way to develop ideas for podcast names is to think about the topic you want to cover and then brainstorm words related to it.
If your podcast talks about the latest in parenting, you could use words like “parenting” or “family.” If it's about fashion, you could use “fashion” or “clothes.”
Keep in mind that the more specific you are, the better.
Another example could be starting a podcast about being vegan. One of your word choices could be plant-based or going into business together as best friends, ‘sisters,' etc.
Don't use generic words or phrases to describe your podcast. For example, don't call it “podcast” if your show is about parenting. You'll want listeners to know what they're getting into right away!
Consider where you would be searching for podcasts.
If people have trouble finding your podcast online because of its name, then it's likely not a very good one–no matter how unique and creative it may seem otherwise. If someone searches for “parenting” but finds other shows on top instead of yours, the chances are high that they won't even click through all the way to find out about your podcast because their search was unsuccessful from the get-go.
The point is to come up with a word that best describes your podcast.
Some podcast titles are exceptions to this, such as the Moth and 99% Invisible. Use your best judgment.
Choose a name that is easy to spell and pronounce
Podcast names that are “gimmicky” or too creative can be a negative.
For example, if your podcast is about something serious like suicide and called “The Suicide Lounge,” you might get several people who are both interested in the topic and offended.
If the show's name is unappealing, listeners may ignore everything else you have to offer.
It's much more effective to choose a name that communicates what your podcast is all about so listeners know what they're getting into right away! A good example is the podcast “Serial,” based on an investigative journalism show that follows a single event in depth.
You can always use your name in the show title. Examples are The Joe Rogan Experience and the Michelle Obama podcast.
Avoid using profanity in your title. It can cause your show not to be approved by various podcast directories. Omar Zenhom ran into this problem when he tried his first podcast called People who know their Sh**. The podcast launch was delayed because of the title. He ended up blocking out a few of the letters. The show was later approved to launch but “podfaded” after several months.
Avoid using any names that are trademarked, copyrighted, or already in use by another show.
It is crucial to avoid using any trademarked, copyrighted, or already in use by another company or podcast.
Conversely, this can lead to confusion when listening to a podcast and categorizing it correctly within major podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
For this reason, it might be best for your show if you leave those names behind for something new and original instead. The only exception will be if you have permission from whoever owns the trademark.
The best way to discover whether your name idea is already trademarked is to do a quick trademark search on Google.
You can also apply for podcast name approval with the Apple Podcasts Connect portal and see any conflicts.
If you're not sure about your idea, first do some research into names similar to what you want before settling.
It could even result in legal issues down the road. Save yourself the headaches by coming up with a unique name for your show.
Make sure the name has not been used before on Apple Podcast and Spotify
It is easy to go into a podcast directory and search for your show's potential name. If you see that same name already in use, then it is time to create a variation of that name or a start over with a different title altogether.
Spotify will not accept your podcast submission if it already has a show with the same title in its directory. Save yourself the hassle by doing your research.
Bonus tip: You also want to verify that your podcast name is also available on social media channels if you’re going to leverage a profile on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook Page / Group, Tik Tok.
Use an online generator to come up with different options for you and your team to choose from
An example of such a generator is the Podcast Name Generator, and you can use it for free. You select keywords, and then it provides a list of possible suggestions. I tested this with the phrase “personal finance.” The search results had 2,440 name ideas. Some of the results included names like “Finance Heavyweight” and “Finance GOAT.” The tool also allows you to see if the website domain for that name is available. You might find something you like.
Here is another name generator that may be helpful.
To conclude, coming up with a podcast name can be challenging. But the various resources available can help you find a name for your podcast that works best for your brand or personality. Thanks for reading! If you have any thoughts or questions, please contact me. If you find this will be helpful to anyone else in the future, feel free to share it with them.
Additional Resources
Podcast Names: How to Choose a Good Name for a Podcast
How to Come Up with a Great Podcast Name
The Art and Science of Naming Your Podcast – A Deep Dive into Podcast Show Titles, By the Numbers
Rephonic has released a free resource that estimates how many listeners can be reached by topic. If you’re working on a podcast and need to gauge your niche potential, this will help you make an educated decision.
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