How to Come Up with Proven Startup Names Using AI [Prompt Template Included]
Skip the bland names that can apply to any startup
Naming a startup is like getting a tattoo.
Choose wrong, and you're stuck with a painful reminder of poor judgment.
Choose right, and you've got a conversation starter that opens doors.
After watching a dozen founders struggle with random name generators and thesaurus diving, I knew there had to be a better way.
Then I saw Greg Isenberg break down his framework for naming startups, and everything clicked.
The Problem with Startup Names
Most founders approach naming like throwing darts blindfolded. They brainstorm until something "feels right" or worse—pick the first available .com domain they find.
The result? Names that:
Feel disconnected from their target audience
Create confusion about what the company does
Limit growth potential
Sound like every other startup in their space
The Greg Principle
Greg's genius lies in his three-category approach to naming:
Descriptive names that explain your purpose
Cultural phrases that ride momentum
Humor-based options that stick in memory
But knowing the categories isn't enough. You need a system to generate and validate names that hit these marks consistently.
That's why I built an AI prompt that combines Greg's framework with validation filters that ensure your name can scale.
The prompt forces AI to:
Generate names across all three categories
Check them against critical validation tests
Assess future-proofing potential
Evaluate branding possibilities
Think of it as your personal naming committee that never gets tired, never gets stuck in one creative lane, and always checks the important details.
The Prompt
Here is how it works:
Copy/paste the prompt in Chat GPT or Claude (like Claude results better).
Fill out the [placeholders] with your info. And hit enter.
I'm brainstorming names for a [describe your startup/product] that [describe core function/purpose]. The target audience is [describe ideal customers/users].
Name Type Preferences
Please generate names in these categories:
1. Descriptive Names
* Clear, direct names that immediately convey what the product/service does
* Should pass the "telephone test" (easy to spell when heard)
2. Cultural Phrases
* Emerging terms or expressions that resonate with the target audience
* Words/phrases that are gaining cultural momentum
3. Humor-Based Names
* Names that could make people smile or create memorable associations
* Potentially incorporate wordplay or clever references
Requirements Checklist
Please ensure all suggested names:
* Are memorable and scroll-stopping
* Pass the telephone test (easy to spell when heard)
* Avoid negative words or connotations
* Can be transformed into a strong visual brand
* Are available as a .com domain (preferred) or have obvious alternatives
* Work well as social media handles
* Don't feel "tofu" (bland/generic that could apply to any industry)
Additional Considerations
Please assess each name against these criteria:
* Does it suggest positive action/outcomes?
* Could it scale beyond the initial product/service?
* Does it have international implications or potential issues?
* Could it become a verb or common phrase?
* Does it have strong branding potential?
Format Requests
For each suggested name, please provide:
1. The name itself
2. Category (Descriptive/Phrase/Humor)
3. Generate 5 options for each category
Variation Requests
Please provide options that are:
* Single words
* Two words
* Three words (if appropriate)
* With and without AI/tech suffixes (if relevant)When you get the first batch of ideas tell the AI: more or this, less from that and keep prompting. I usually get 2 to 3 good ones on the first try.
Next, look if the domain is available.
What surprised me most when testing this prompt was how it consistently produced names that founders wouldn't have considered—yet immediately resonated with their target audience.
What's the most memorable startup name you've encountered recently, and why did it stick with you? Drop your examples below.