If you need help brainstorming an insurance agency name, we have a few tips and ideas to get you started.
Top Tips
- Keep it easy to pronounce – Say the name out loud, have others say it out loud to you too. Is it easy to say and understand?
- Make it easy to spell – This is especially important when it comes to your website and emails. You want to be able to tell people where to go or how to contact you in a fast and non-frustrating way.
- Keep it relevant – Several states require you use terminology that is descriptive of the service you will provide. Entity names also have certain requirements related to the business structure. Click here to learn more.
- Avoid using names too similar to existing entities in your state. Your registration is likely to get denied if it is too similar to another existing entity’s name. In addition, you want to steer clear of names that are trademarked. For example, naming your entity Progressive Insurance may get you in trouble down the line. Click here to see how you can research existing entity names.
- Choose a name that’s scalable – If you plan to hire multiple employees, expand into other communities or other states, then you may want to consider picking a name that reflects that vision. Read the Pros and Cons of Using Your Name as Your Business Name.
- Make sure you are personally happy with the name – Your business name will be everywhere you look: your website, email, business cards, logo, letterhead, social media sites, DEC pages, etc. Consistency is key when it comes to brand identity and getting found online. The name you pick will be on everything for a long time, so make sure you like it.
- Get feedback on the name – Just like when you reveal your top baby names, sometimes people’s opinions are not always welcome or warranted. But with a company name, it’s important to run your ideas by friends, family, and trusted colleagues. You never know if a chosen name may be a euphemism for something without realizing it, or the name could have a different meaning in another language.
Brainstorming Ideas
- Use an acronym – like ASNOA (the Agent Support Network of America)
- Create a mash-up between two meaningful names, like family members
- Draw inspiration from well-known locations, historical milestones, or beloved traditions in your community
- Leverage nicknames you use for yourself or your loved ones
- Abbreviate – for example, the company Cisco was taken from its founding location: San Francisco
- Go to thesaurus.com and find words with similar meaning
Brainstorming Resources
- VisualThesaurus.com (gives you a visual around a keyword)
- Shopify Business Name Generator (generates business name ideas and checks domain availability simultaneously)
- NameMesh.com (provides a startup company name generator)
- Naminum.com (allows you to generate names based on a theme)
Next Steps
- Make a list of your top five names and double check which names are available to use in your state and online. Read our article on the Top Three Places to See If Your Business Name is Available.
- Once you’ve decided on a name and have confirmed it is available, you need to register your business name to protect it. Read our article on How to Register Your Business + Get Federal and State Tax IDs.
This article is made available by ASNOA for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not aim to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog, you understand there is no attorney-client relationship between you and ASNOA. We strongly recommend consulting a lawyer for individual needs of your business.