October 23, 2012

The Secret Ingredient to Naming a Blog


The Secret Ingredient to Naming a Blog

By: Brittany Scott, Verbal Branding Associate

To some, naming your blog may not be the most exciting aspect. However, the name of your blog drives traffic to your site, gives readers an idea of what your site is about, and most importantly, makes your site memorable so readers will come back! So in fact, a name could be one of the most important aspects.

To earn a coveted spot in most users’ bookmark list, your blog name must be either descriptive or memorable (and hopefully both!). Alliteration, word play, and literal meanings can all be employed to create a name that is uniquely yours.

The descriptive name explains the blog’s content so users can quickly understand your blog’s purpose. If you choose to go this route, your ultimate goal is to create a descriptive name that doesn’t fall flat. AutoBlog is a great example. It informs users about the content (everything automotive) while remaining short and memorable. It may not be flashy, but it still gets the job done in a succinct and resourceful way.

Word play is often used in naming to capture the essence of content. Take, for instance, the gaming blog Joystiq, which plays off of the common word “joystick.” While related to old-school gaming, a deeper meaning and trendy spelling makes this name more striking.

Neologisms, or made-up words, are one of the best options for a unique, memorable blog name. Bakerella and Fashionista are examples of ownable terms that hint at content and provide name recognition in a crowded space.

A pun involves a word or phrase that has more than one possible meaning. Buns In My Oven, a cooking blog, takes the literal approach to a common idiom. Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, a personal finance blog, uses a popular song lyric to tackle the often awkward topic of money management. And Watts Up With That? is a blog about energy usage and global warming. If the play on “wattage” wasn’t enough, the fact that the author’s last name is Watts makes this even more clever. Our author succeeded in doubling his word play!

Some blog names are just arbitrary, words chosen at random to capture a feeling or style rather than literal meaning. Gwyneth Paltrow’s site, Goop, is a prime example. A lifestyle blog at heart, the name suggests shampoo, oily stuff, or possibly even gooey desserts. The blog is broad enough to encompass all of these things and more. The name intrigues readers and keeps them tuning in.

Creating a blog that is informative, enjoyable, and trend-setting can be tough. Creating a name that encompasses all that your blog is can be even tougher. But those who do it well will be rewarded with the praise of daily followers. What are some of your favorite blog names?

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One Comment

  1. Tiffany Jonas   October 23, 2012 4:36 pm / Reply

    I have to say I really like the blog name Mr. Money Mustache – and not to be immodest, but I like Brand Salsa as well. (I can say that because I didn’t come up with it!)

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