It started with a whiteboard and a dream.

We had no product. No pitch deck. Just three guys in a room, trying to name something we hadn't built yet.

The pressure was real. We scribbled like madmen:

• "Zyvo"

• "Blinqly"

• "Klymr" Every name had fewer vowels than common sense.

At one point, someone suggested **"Qloudify."**Said it sounded tech-forward. I said it sounded like something you'd catch in the rain.

But we were desperate. We wanted to sound legit. So we ended up with a name that looked like a typo, felt like a protein shake, and meant... absolutely nothing.

At the time, I believed what most first-time founders do:
"If it sounds startup-y, people will think we're serious."

We thought we were branding. We were actually hiding.

Let's pause for a second.

Most people name their startup like they're creating a new Pokémon. Zappr, Kloopa, Trubbish.

They forget that a name is not about sounding cool. It's about being remembered.

You're not naming a startup. You're planting a flag.

Looking back, I realized we weren't searching for a name. We were searching for status.

We wanted to be taken seriously in the tech world. But instead of telling a clear story, we were chasing validation.

That's when I finally got it:

If your name needs explaining, it's not working.

Here's what actually matters:

✅ Can someone say it aloud without hesitation?

✅ Can they spell it after hearing it once?

✅ Does it evoke something --- a feeling, image, or promise?

That's it.

The best names aren't clever. They're clear. Think:

• Slack

• Stripe

• Basecamp

• Notion

• Calm

They don't need a brand bible to make sense. You just get it.

A good name is like a good friend. You remember how it made you feel. You say it with confidence. You don't need to explain why it's important --- you just know it is.

And here's a quick mental trick I use now:

The "Say It in a Bar" Test

Imagine meeting someone at a noisy pub. They ask what you do. You reply: "I run a startup called [X]."

Now ask yourself:

• Did they lean in, or squint in confusion?

• Did they ask what it means, or where to sign up?

• Did you sound like a real brand, or a mid-tier NFT?

If it fails the bar test, it's back to the drawing board.

A name won't save your startup. But a bad one can slow it down.

And if you're gonna bet your life on something, you might as well call it something you won't regret tattooing on your chest 10 years from now.

Just sayin'.

A Quick Framework Before You Go:

• Simple & Sticky - Avoid invented spellings unless you're building a cult.

• Emotional Hook - Choose a word that feels like something: clarity, adventure, momentum.

• Domain-Optional - Yes, domain names matter. But they can evolve. Don't force a bad name for a .com.

• Say It. Write It. Forget It. - Test it with strangers. If they forget it in 5 minutes, try again.

I'll leave you with this:

Your name isn't your identity. But it is your first impression. Don't waste it trying to sound smart. Use it to be understood.

And please... for the love of all things bootstrap, leave the "ify" suffix alone.

11, PNR Nagar

Dindigul, Tamil Nadu 624001, India

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