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How to Name a Candle Company:
Step-by-step guide to coming up with a unique and compelling name for your candle company.
Start a list.
Write down any ideas you already have.
You may already have some ideas for a candle company name. If so, go ahead and write them down.
Highlight or star your favorites as you go.
This will make it easy to narrow down the list later, while letting you jot down all of your ideas that may spark something later on.
The words you add to the list don’t have to be fully formed candle company names. They can be words or concepts related to the candle business that help you get to the final name.
Perform essential research before you name your candle company.
Review your business plan.
If you’ve got a business plan for your candle company, the research there should give you ideas for words, phrases, and concepts that fit your brand.
Review your competitors' names.
When formulating your business plan, you should have conducted a competitor analysis. Now, pay close attention to each of your competitors' names. Are there any commonalities? Can you spot glaring gaps in the market that could be filled? Bear these in mind as you continue with the process of naming your company.
Talk to likely customers.
This is something you’ll want to do, no matter what, to learn more about the people you’ll be catering to. While you’re meeting with them, be sure to write down words, phrases, and concepts that they associate with your candle company.
When all logical options have been exhausted, encourage your potential customers to try free association. Jot down all ideas, regardless of how bizarre they may seem to begin with.
Review words specific to your candle company.
Think about the composition of your products.
Consider the ingredients and materials, and where these are sourced from.
Words such as "wax" and "wick" are obvious choices. While you can include these in your list, try to think even more deeply about the individual components that make up these and other elements of your candles.
Highlight elements that set you apart from your competitors.
Consider the production process.
Will your candles be handmade or mass-produced? Which tools and equipment will be used during the manufacturing process? Jot down all ideas that spring to mind.
Reflect on the scents of your candles.
Whether there's an overarching theme or you intend to sell a wide variety of scents, you're sure to find some inspiration here.
Get creative! For example, perhaps there's an earthy scent, in which case terms such as "cozy barn" and "grounded" could work.
Think about your packaging.
Consider the types of containers that your candles will likely be held in, as well as any other packaging elements. If you’ve already chosen a theme or aesthetic, write down some related terms.
While packaging can be a great source of inspiration, it may change over time. Avoid terms that could stifle your growth down the line.
Consider what makes your candles unique.
Perhaps you place a strong emphasis on sustainability. Maybe your candles are long-lasting, and/or have fun surprises such as jewelry hidden inside. Take note of the concepts that come to mind when reflecting on the things that make your candles special.
Create more name ideas from your list.
Combine words from the list.
Try combining various words from your list to see if they form any interesting names.
In addition to straightforward combinations, you could try creating portmanteaus, rhymes, puns, etc.
Use a name generator.
NameSnack can help combine your ideas and make associations that you may not have thought of.
NameSnack's AI will prompt you to add different words. You can try entering them all, or go with smaller groups.
Write down any candle company names you like.
NameSnack will also tell you if the domain names are available. Highlight the ideas that have matching domain names.
Review and reflect.
Read through your list again.
See if there are any names that stand out, and mark them.
Set the list aside for a day or two.
Come back with fresh eyes and see which names stand out. Also, see which names you still remember. This may give you a clue as to which ones are most memorable.
Get feedback on your top candle company names.
Determine what potential customers think of the names.
See how your target audience reacts to different names.
Consider visiting local malls, which is where your potential customers are likely to be. Here, you could approach people individually.
Create polls on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach an even larger group of people.
Test the names on friends and colleagues.
Read your names to friends and coworkers, and get their take on your candle company names. Come back a day or two later and see which ones they still remember.
We generally recall the first and last few items in a list more readily than those in the middle. These tendencies are referred to as the primacy and recency effects, respectively. As such, you should change up the order of the words when presenting them to others.
Check availability.
See if matching domain names are available.
Use a site like Namecheap to see which of your top business name ideas have related URLs that are available for purchase.
Search the names on Google.
Google your favorite candle company names to see if there are any other well-known candle companies with the same name, or if there are some associations you hadn’t thought of.
Check whether the name is already in use in your state.
If the business name is already in use for a similar business in your state, it's likely won't be able to use it.
Search the USPTO's trademark database.
Complete your investigation by checking the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) database to be sure that your preferred name hasn't been trademarked.
Get the name.
Buy the domain name.
You can do this through sites like Namecheap.
Register the business name with the state.
You'll need to register the name in your state once you've chosen it. In most states this is fast and easy, and can be done online.
Consider trademarking the name.
This offers additional protection from other businesses using your candle company's name.
Learn more about trademarking your business name.
