Free Name Evaluation Test

Question 0 of 12

Smile & Scratch

Enter your name below for a fast and free way to find out if it’s awesome or if it kinda sucks. Featured in the Wall Street Journal and other leading publications, The Eat My Words SMILE & SCRATCH Test is based on our philosophy that a name should make you smile, instead of scratch your head. Go ahead, give it a whirl and be honest with yourself…
Brand Name

Q1*
Does “YOUR NAME” SUGGEST something about your brand?

Strong names hint at what a product or company does or suggest a positive brand experience, such as Kryptonite locks, Impossible Foods, and Pinterest.
- Yes
- No
Awesome! This is a core trait of a successful brand name. Nice start!

"You want your name to drop a hint and give a clue as to what your brand is or does. A name can’t be expected to say everything, but it should suggest something about your brand" – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 1
Uh oh. Don’t make your customers guess. Give ‘em a hint.

"You want your name to drop a hint and give a clue as to what your brand is or does. A name can’t be expected to say everything, but it should suggest something about your brand" – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 1

Q2*
Is “YOUR NAME” especially MEMORABLE?
Memorable names make associations with familiar words and concepts we already know. Think: Yelp, Leap Frog, Groupon. If your name doesn’t look or feel familiar, it will be much harder for people to recall it, like the names Xobni, Kiip, and Zaarly.
- Yes
- No
Cool beans. Let’s keep going…

"We remember things that can easily be merged into our existing knowledge base. The stickiest names are associated with words and concepts that are already familiar to us." – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 2
Careful there… you don’t want a name that’s easily forgotten.

"We remember things that can easily be merged into our existing knowledge base. The stickiest names are associated with words and concepts that are already familiar to us." – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 2

Q3*
Does “YOUR NAME” have visual IMAGERY?
It’s much easier for our brains to recall pictures than it is to remember names. That’s why having a name that conjures up imagery, like Mustang does, is a huge plus.
- Yes
- No
Right on! It’s easy to picture your success.

“Names that lend themselves to visual imagery can be as sticky as bubble gum. People remember images much more easily than they remember words and random letters.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 3
Bummer. Imagery could really help your name stay top of mind.

“Names that lend themselves to visual imagery can be as sticky as bubble gum. People remember images much more easily than they remember words and random letters.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 3

Q4*
Does “YOUR NAME” have LEGS and lend itself to a theme?
You can get more mileage out of a name with a theme. For instance, Latitude Margaritaville retirement communities has street names like Castaway Court and Flip Flop Lane. The dog park is called Barkaritaville, and the business center is named The Coconut Telegraph.
- Yes
- No
Nice! Cheers with a fruity umbrella drink.

“A name with a good theme provides endless branding opportunities. You can extend the mileage for years.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 4
A name that doesn’t lend itself to wordplay prevents you from extending it into all of your marketing and branding materials.

“A name with a good theme provides endless branding opportunities. You can extend the mileage for years.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 4

Q5*
Does “YOUR NAME” make a positive EMOTIONAL connection?
The most powerful names connect with us on an emotional level. People are attracted to names that resonate with their needs. For instance, Adventurous = Denali. Desirable = Obsession. Worthy = Pedigree.
- Yes
- No
Congratulations, this is the most important ingredient of your name.

“According to Forrester Research, 50 percent of every buying decision is driven by emotion. Not only do we buy things that make us feel good, but we are also inclined to buy things with names that make us feel good.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 5
Man, that sucks for you.

“According to Forrester Research, 50 percent of every buying decision is driven by emotion. Not only do we buy things that make us feel good, but we are also inclined to buy things with names that make us feel good.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SMILE, Lesson 5

Q6*
Is “YOUR NAME” SPELLING CHALLENGED?
If your name looks like a typo, it’s a mistake you will regret. You’ll forever have to spell it out every time you say your website name or email address. Plus, it will always be butchered by voice recognition–don’t confuse Siri and Alexa.
- Yes
- No
Uh-oh. This is a big naming no-no. Think about how often you have to spell your own first and last name. Why would you want to have to do this with your brand name, too?

“Spelling challenged names frustrate and confuse people. That’s not a brand experience you want your customers to have. Your name should be spelled exactly how it sounds, otherwise, it’s going to get butchered. ” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 1
Your name doesn’t get hung up in spell-check. A+.

“Spelling challenged names frustrate and confuse people. That’s not a brand experience you want your customers to have. Your name should be spelled exactly how it sounds, otherwise, it’s going to get butchered. ” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 1

Q7*
Does “YOUR NAME” smack of being a COPYCAT?
You want your name to be original, not trendy. What’s “in” now will date your brand in the future. Think: eHarmony. Also, avoid copycat words such as monkey, zen, rocket, box, daddy, __topia, ___osophy, and ___ology.
- Yes
- No
Tsk, tsk. No one likes a copycat. Steer clear of fadology

“When you have a copycat name, you look totally unoriginal. You remind people of your competitors names. And you won’t have a distinguishable brand. Why be somebody else when you can be yourself?” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 2
Nice job. No one likes a copycat.

“When you have a copycat name, you look totally unoriginal. You remind people of your competitors names. And you won’t have a distinguishable brand. Why be somebody else when you can be yourself?” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 2

Q8*
Is “YOUR NAME” RESTRICTIVE, limiting future growth?
Don’t get locked into a name that you may outgrow down the road. Make sure your name will always fit, or else you may regret it. Example: Fast Signs changed their tagline to “More than fast. More than signs.”
- Yes
- No
Advice: change it now, so you don’t regret it later.

“Imagine how your brand may evolve over the next 25 years. Will you expand to other industries? What products will you sell in the future? Will you be in the same location? Before you decide on a name, make sure it can accommodate whatever the future may hold.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 3
Fantastic. No regrets!

“Imagine how your brand may evolve over the next 25 years. Will you expand to other industries? What products will you sell in the future? Will you be in the same location? Before you decide on a name, make sure it can accommodate whatever the future may hold.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 3

Q9*
Is “YOUR NAME” ANNOYING, sounding forced, silly, or nonsensical?
Think about your name from a customer’s point of view. Does it cause frustration by being ambiguous, awkwardly contrived, or silly? For instance, Third Love, Grammarly, and Femfessionals.
- Yes
- No
Hey, you can end the suffering right now.

“If you can avoid frustrating and alienating your customers, you won’t lose their business or their respect.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 4
High five! And thank you.

“If you can avoid frustrating and alienating your customers, you won’t lose their business or their respect.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 4

Q10*
Does “YOUR NAME” come across as TAME?
If your name is descriptive or flat, it will fade into the background. Example: American Taco Company, Network Solutions, and DocuSign. You can’t afford to be boring with a tame name.
- Yes
- No
Try a name with personality. You need to stand out in a sea of sameness.

“If you want to get customers and get sales, you need to get noticed. You definitely don’t want a sleepy name that lacks personality and inspiration.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 5
High five! And thank you.

“If you want to get customers and get sales, you need to get noticed. You definitely don’t want a sleepy name that lacks personality and inspiration.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 5

Q11*
Does “YOUR NAME” suffer from the CURSE OF KNOWLEDGE?
When people see your name, you won’t be there to explain it to them. Stay away from anything foreign to them, including jargon and words in other languages.
- Yes
- No
Hey, no one wants to be lost in translation.

“We can’t unlearn what we know, so we find it extremely difficult to think as a newbie. We talk in acronyms, internal shorthand, code words, and industry jargon, all of which are foreign to outsiders.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 6
Terrific, you avoided a common pitfall.

“We can’t unlearn what we know, so we find it extremely difficult to think as a newbie. We talk in acronyms, internal shorthand, code words, and industry jargon, all of which are foreign to outsiders.” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 6

Q12*
Is “YOUR NAME” difficult for most people to PRONOUNCE?
No one wants to struggle saying your name, or be embarrassed if they get it wrong. Your name should be friendly and approachable, like a welcome sign by your front door.
- Yes
- No
Danger ahead!

“Nobody wants to bungle the pronunciation of their name and feel dumb. Names that are difficult to pronounce are unapproachable and distance customers. ” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 7
That’s great to hear!

“Nobody wants to bungle the pronunciation of their name and feel dumb. Names that are difficult to pronounce are unapproachable and distance customers. ” – How To Create Super Sticky Brand Names Masterclass: SCRATCH, Lesson 7
Send me my test results ASAP!
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The Eat My Words SMILE & SCRATCH Test

SMILE: The 5 Qualities of a Super-Sticky Name
Suggestive—evokes something about your brand
Memorable—makes a familiar association
Imagery—aids memory through evocative visuals
Legs—lends itself to a theme for extended mileage
Emotional—moves people

SCRATCH: The 7 Deal Breakers
Spelling challenged—looks like a typo
Copycat—resembles competitors’ names
Restrictive—limits future growth
Annoying—seems forced, frustrates customers
Tame—feels flat, descriptive, uninspired
Curse of knowledge—speaks only to insiders
Hard to pronounce—confuses customers

Free Name Evaluation Test

Does “YOUR NAME” SUGGEST something about your brand?

Is “YOUR NAME” especially MEMORABLE?

Does “YOUR NAME” have visual IMAGERY?

Does “YOUR NAME” have LEGS and lend itself to a theme?

Does “YOUR NAME” make a positive EMOTIONAL connection?

Is “YOUR NAME” SPELLING CHALLENGED?

Does “YOUR NAME” smack of being a COPYCAT?

Is “YOUR NAME” RESTRICTIVE, limiting future growth?

Is “YOUR NAME” ANNOYING, sounding forced, silly, or nonsensical?

Does “YOUR NAME” come across as TAME?

Does “YOUR NAME” suffer from the CURSE OF KNOWLEDGE?

Is “YOUR NAME” difficult for most people to PRONOUNCE?

Send me my test results ASAP!

The Eat My Words SMILE & SCRATCH Test

How strong is your brand name?