A name as a brand on the market carrier of an idea, vision, message, also using meaning from another context
LEGO is an abbreviation of the Danish “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. The brand was always meant to be associated with the joy of creation – and I think it worked. Today, LEGO is not just about toys, but creativity.
Nike, on the other hand, is the name of the Greek goddess of victory. Short, strong, easy to remember – perfect for a brand that wants to be synonymous with movement, strength and achieving goals.
Here are examples of well-known brands whose names have interesting, non-obvious origins – often abstract in relation to the products offered. Such stories can be a great inspiration for entrepreneurs at the stage of building a new brand:
Frog
A simple, homely name that brand on the market gained strength thanks to a consistent rebranding strategy. Initially associated with the logotype, today recognizable and modern. Article
Apple
Steve Jobs chose the name because… apples were his favorite fruit, and they “sounded friendly.” The name has nothing to do with computers or electronics – and that’s exactly why it’s memorable. Article
Amazon
The name was supposed how be a leader in this time of crisis to bring to mind something huge – like the Amazon River. Jeff Bezos also wanted the brand to be “with an A”, meaning high on the alphabetical list. Article
Sony
It comes from the Latin word sonus (sound) and the slang word sonny (young man). It was meant to express modernity, energy and technological freshness. Article
Orange
A telecommunications operator with a name that does not directly refer to comparison of tools for working with intent data for b2b companies services – but attracts with colors and emotions. It evokes associations with modernity and energy. Article
Nike
The name comes from the Greek goddess of victory – Nike. It symbolizes speed, success, fighting spirit. Article
PORAJ – the name of our Law Firm comes from the name of the founder’s coat of arms, Jerzy Chrzanowski and family traditions, but it also means in the old Slavic language to get things in order, to cope or as I like to say, REACH FOR ” YOUR [YOUR] PARADISE “. This fits very well with our vision of the law firm – supporting entrepreneurs in organizing their intellectual property resources and building the success of their companies thanks to this. Supporting them in bfb directory striving for their own paradise
Your name doesn’t have to be descriptive. It can also be fanciful, symbolic, abstract, meaningful – a message to the recipient. An interesting method is to search in other areas and fancifully transfer the designation, play with words, metaphors.
Other ways, wordplay, shortcuts, surprise
Here is another batch of interesting examples of brand names that were created creatively – using wordplay, abbreviations, surprises or new words:
Spotify
The name came about as a combination of the words “spot” and “identify”. It was meant to convey the idea of finding and recognizing music. It’s one of those names that sounds familiar, even though it’s completely new.
Source
IKEA
It’s an acronym for: Ingvar Kamprad (founder), Elmtaryd (family farm) and Agunnaryd (a town in Sweden). A name that the whole world knows today.
Pepsi
Originally “Brad’s Drink,” the name was changed to “Pepsi-Cola” after the word pepsin , an enzyme that aids digestion. The brand aimed to have health associations. The company’s website states, “In 1898, small-town pharmacist Caleb D. Bradham was looking for a name that would better describe his formula, which he sold under the name “Brad’s Drink.” He bought the name “Pep Kola” from a local competitor and changed it to Pepsi-Cola.” Source
Inka – a brand of cereal coffee. Its name comes from a combination of two words: instant and coffee.
Lubella – the name is a brand on the market combination of two words from two different languages, the town of Lublin and the Italian word bella meaning the word beautiful, a beautiful woman, a female name. A combination that is undoubtedly fanciful.