Brand Naming for Different Industries: What Works Where

Every industry has its own naming conventions, customer expectations, and competitive dynamics. A name that works perfectly for a tech startup might fall flat for a law firm. Here's how to tailor your naming approach by industry.

Technology

Tech brands favor short, invented words: Stripe, Slack, Notion, Figma. The tech audience is comfortable with abstract names and values brevity. Key patterns:

Invented words that feel modern and ownable
Action verbs that imply transformation (Zoom, Snap, Shift)
Short names under 7 characters for clean URLs and handles
.io and .ai extensions are widely accepted

Healthcare

Healthcare naming must balance approachability with trust. Patients need to feel safe; professionals need to feel competent.

Clinical credibility — Names shouldn't feel flippant
Warmth — Avoid cold, overly technical names for patient-facing brands
Regulatory awareness — Some terms are restricted in healthcare marketing
Latin/Greek roots signal medical expertise (Moderna, Novartis)

Food and Beverage

Food brands connect through sensory and emotional associations:

Evocative names that trigger taste or feeling (Sweetgreen, Innocent)
Origin stories — Place names and founder names build authenticity
Simple, speakable names — People order food out loud
Playful names work for casual dining; refined names for upscale

Financial Services

Finance requires trust above all else. Naming conventions reflect stability and authority:

Strong, established-sounding names (Vanguard, Fidelity, Goldman)
Avoid trendy names that might feel unstable
Fintech exception — Disruptor brands use approachable names (Venmo, Robinhood, Chime)
Compound words that imply growth or security

Fashion and Beauty

Fashion naming is aspirational, often using:

Founder names (Chanel, Gucci, Glossier from Emily Weiss)
Foreign words — French and Italian names signal sophistication
Abstract elegance — Short, visually appealing names
Lowercase aesthetic for modern brands (glossier, everlane)

Real Estate

Real estate brands balance local trust with aspiration:

Location references ground the brand locally
Aspiration words — Summit, Pinnacle, Compass
Founder names signal personal accountability
Team names for real estate groups

Education

Education brands need to feel both credible and accessible:

Knowledge metaphors — Academy, Institute, Workshop
Approachable names for consumer ed-tech (Duolingo, Coursera)
Authority names for professional education

Finding What Works for You

Whatever your industry, the fundamentals remain: your name must be available, memorable, and appropriate for your audience.

Check your brand name across domains and social platforms with BrandScout. Verify availability before committing to a name in any industry.