It helps that your last name is AWESOME!

I named my company Brightwhite Design, but have since grown into a small firm, so I’m no longer technically in the freelance category. Allowing for potential growth like that was critical for me, since I knew I didn’t want to stay solo forever.

I use a too strange name (pngised).
It’s clear only for me, but I like it.

Hey. Two things. Firstly, there couldn’t have been a better time for me to find this blog, right now I am in the process of setting myself up as a freelancer full time, and the articles here have been incredibly useful, thanks!

Secondly, this particular article is very relevant right now, as I’m trying to decide on the name for my business. I was planning to use my full name “Jack Sleight”, but then the limitations that introduces (when considering expanding the business) is a problem. Also, I don’t really feel that just my surname “Sleight”—pronounced slight—lends itself that well to a business name. It’s all a bit tricky, and I’m really bad at thinking up names for things.

sweat… Dangerfield, interesting surname…
I doubt that my surname would have the same effect “Zadravec”… so I decided to use nonpersonalized name Toasted Web, but as I am registerd as “independent contractor” ( in my country “s.p.”) I also have my name and surname in my bussines name… so technicali, I have both personalized and nonpersonalized bussines name like: Računalniške storitve Toasted Web, Mihael Zadravec s.p.
I know, that’s realy long business name… but the law sais that it must be clear from the b.n. - what kinde of services and who offers them…

I used a combination of the 2. My initials are RLM so I became ReaLM Studio. It works for me its both professional and personal

I was formerly using my full name just because I owned it as a domain name, and wanted to focus on the personal/individual aspect, but I decided to split the difference, and am in the process of switching over to “Coghill Cartooning” as opposed to just “George Coghill” as the former actually gives me a bit of advertising and explains exactly what it is that I do. With the nature of what I do, it is pretty much an individual business anyways.

I thought quite a bit about going with a non-personalized name, but in the end I don’t have a problem being straightforward about the fact that it’s just me. In fact, I prefer to emphasize the personalized service I give to clients.

I think a lot of the decision comes from the type of clients you have or want to attract, and what they expect. It’s definitely a part of marketing yourself and the options should be thought out.

One key issue in naming is whether you want to be a consultant or start a business. My definition of a business is whether it could go on without me, or whether my participation is an essential part of every project.

So far, I’ve resisted registering a business name and working under any other name than my own. My clients are hiring Jesse Skinner and I don’t see a need in complicating that…yet. I find they appreciate working with an entire company encompassed in a single person.

Perhaps one day, I’ll want to hire some others, and then I’ll likely go completely the other way and use a business name that has nothing to do with my name.

I have gone through a number of names trying to be clever like webeloper.com (thats web developer), dotcomikaze.com, iuxd.com (interactive user experience design) and m2webdesign.com, none of which ever really worked, were hard to remember or spell, or both.

I am now using mikewarddesign.com and it works for me, is easier to remember etc… Having my name on it holds me responsible for what I do if that makes sense.

My 2 cents

I use “nufase”. Pronounced “new face”.

I’m getting into illustration and I’m thinking of a new name for my illustrative projects. “Zarbo” is what I’m leaning towards. My last name is “Vella-Zarb” so it’s a personalized name. (which I think sounds pretty neat)

I use “CRUENT” as a name … but i don’t know how it sounds to english speaking users as i am from bulgaria. Is it a good choice ? It’s so hard to find a free .com domain right now … however i like mine

btw … GREAT SITE !

I registered my biz under my personal name (Anissa Thompson WebDesign), but being a true Californian I also wanted something I could more easily market, so I have webdyzn on my license plate (and that’s a tax write-off - advertising!), webdyzn.com, and I was also able to snag it as a few toll free numbers.

…but as I am registerd as “independent contractor” ( in my country “s.p.”) I also have my name and surname in my bussines name…

Like Mihael, in Italy it’s the same….
So my business name is “Pngised - of Federico Pizzutto”…

If you’re from Newcastle, Australia, it is a legal requirement to have any or all of the following words in your business name:

‘All’, ‘Total’, ‘Complete’ and ‘Solutions’.

It’s also a requirement that your advertising contains lots of shouting.

So the new business name I’ve tossing up is:

‘COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY TOTAL WEB SOLUTIONS FOR ALL!!!’

Thoughts?

Remove the search typo and broaden your search to the entire Newcastle region, and the sheer extent of the lack of business naming originality is revealed.

*shudder*

http://tinyurl.com/2evduz

Mine is called:

+grooveARMY

Just thought I’d better chime on in finally!

http://www.groovearmy.com

I agonized and then finally settled on Trenholm Writing and Consulting for two, well maybe three, reasons: 1) I am a solopreneur and my business name reflects this 2) my last name, Trenholm, is uncommon enough to stand out, 3) I didn’t have to do the fictitious biz name thing since my name is in my biz name and I am not referencing other beings (such as Trenholm and Associates)

Now, I know it’s not exciting, but it’s broad enough to allow me to do various types of writing without being locked in to something too specific

I could personalize mine a bit more from “M1k3.net” to “Dick Designs”, but it isn’t a name that most professionals would look towards, ha.

So what exactly is involved if you do decide to get a corporate name? What agencies/paperwork are required? Is that the same as incorporating as an LLC? For a small freelance firm, is it really necessary? What are your thoughts?

If you plan to get freelance work from agencies I tend to think you shouldn’t sound like their competition. How does that play into things?

its comforting, in a way, to know that i´m not the only one obsessed over what to call my business.

i´ve gone through several versions of a name/logo over the years, but i still haven´t come up with one that i feel i´ll like down the road, but that´s probably because i´m too indecisive.

with your personal name you can save on taxes and need not to register it as all the checks come in your name which you can drop by into your bank …

Naming your business is always a tough gig! Jack hit some great points here and there are so many pros and cons between using your own name versus a fictitious name that it can paralyze you from making a decision. Here is a few things I have learned from 20 years of being a freelancer and small business.

1. Determine who you want to do work for. “Of the wall” names work for bands, beer joints, and non-conservative businesses but if you want to do work for some corporate businesses, an off the wall name can keep you from getting work - though there ARE exceptions.

2. Are you happy with staying a small, one person operation or do you want to grow a business that can carry on when you want out or die? This can help you determine the direction for your name. I think generic names are more suitable if you want to sell your business or walk away from it down the road. And if you sell your actual name do you want to take the risk on another person ruining your reputation?

3. Make it easy to remember and pronounce. When I started 20 years ago, I started with Dogman Designs (based off a nickname) but I found out that many people had a hard time remembering it or they thought I made products for dogs. I used my last name for a while and it was also hard for people to spell. I finally chose Branding Shed because I could sell the business down the road, it was descriptive, and it was memorable. Plus it ties in with the Old West and branding so it worked all around.

4. Be happy with your choice. You gotta be sold on your business name whatever it is and being passionate it about it makes a difference to you and your clients.

Mine not personal but easy to remember so i guess it swings in round abouts