Choosing a name for your shop is exciting, but can also be daunting.
It’s especially important because you can only change your Etsy shop name up to five times in your dashboard. If you want to change any more than that you’ll need to apply to Etsy and give a good reason for the change.
Before starting, think of all your favorite businesses and their names. Stores like American Eagle, Urban Outfitters, Hermes all have strong names that invoke certain imagery which sticks in your mind. Their names reflect their brands and having a consistent brand is very important.
Customers are statistically more likely to buy from your shop if it has a strong, memorable name. It also increases the chances of having return customers, as most people prefer buying from a store that they know provides quality items, as opposed to searching for a new business to buy their products.
Additionally, the more memorable your business the more likely you are to be referred to other potential customers. Countless businesses have lost potential customers because they have a name that is too complicated or forgettable.
“Brand names give businesses the opportunity to put a meaning behind their name with completely positive connotations.”
– Michael Rader, founder of Brandroot.
Let’s get started naming your Etsy shop!
1. Choose a Name That Reflects What You Sell
A great way to think of a name is to take a look at your items and try to think of as many simple similes or adjectives as possible.
Write them down, no matter how ridiculous or silly they seem, and make as long a list as possible!
Think of their color, their shape, or what they remind you of. You can then use this list to brainstorm different ideas for your name.
2. Keep Your Shop Name Simple
It should be easy to spell, easy to remember, and not too long. Make it as short and snappy as possible.
A great way to do this is to use different language tools, such as alliteration, rhyming, or onomatopoeia, which are powerful ways to create memorable business names.
3. Keep Your Name Unique
This may create confusion or even copywriting disputes, so make sure you research other businesses as much as possible before you confirm your shop name.
Many shop names aren’t available because they are already in use, and there are also quite a lot of abandoned shops with great names. Unfortunately, Etsy only allows unique shop names, so even if these shops aren’t in use you still won’t be able to use the name.
Just keep shopping around for different names, and don’t get too upset if someone is already using a name you’ve thought of. It just means that your thought process is on the right track!
4. Use Words That Evoke Appealing, Positive Imagery
Nature words are always popular for this reason. Words like summer, flora, flower, bloom, succulent, etc., are all words that evoke a fresh and beautiful feeling. You should make sure that your business’s vibe is as attractive as possible.
5. Choose a Name That Tells a Story
Having the name of your shop refer to something already familiar in the mind of your customers is always a plus. Alluding to or referencing something that customers already think about positively makes a great first impression.
An example of this is Nike, which, before the brand became popular, was widely known as the name of the Greek Goddess who personifies victory. Therefore, when Nike was only just starting up, its customers were already thinking of victory and success when they first heard the business’s name.
Another great way to make your name equally personal and creative is…
6. Consider Using Your Personal Name
You can use your surname or your first name, and this immediately adds a friendly touch to your shop.
Using your name also evokes trust with your customers. They will know that you are willing to attach your brand to your own name, which guarantees a certain quality and makes you seem like a transparent and credulous seller.
Additionally, whilst you want to make sure your name is creative and unique.
7. Don’t Get Too Silly or Ridiculous
Misspelling common words, for example, may seem like a great way to add your own creative twist to your name.
However, this will just look jarring and also make it impossible for people to find your shop as they’ll be constantly misspelling it. Your name should be elegant and attractive, not thoughtless or rash.
8. Include Popular a Term and Keyword
Using words or terms that are unpopular or rarely used means that your shop is less likely to show up on search engines. For example, popular Etsy shop ‘Think Pink Bows’ is one of the first things that show up when you google ‘homemade bows for sale’.
Having a popular word or key term in your name increases traffic to your store, which boosts the number of customers for your shop.
9. Don’t rush yourself
It’s impossible to think creatively under pressure. You should be using this opportunity to have as much fun naming your shop as possible! Spend a few days thinking over the name of your shop, test it out on friends and family, and make sure that you do like it.
Hopefully, you’ll have this name for a very long time, so you need to make sure that it’s something that you love!
10. Ask Your Friends or Family for Input
Some of the best ideas have been thought of by a team of people. Asking your friends or family provides you with a fresh set of eyes, and other people may have ideas that you would never think of alone.
This is also a great way to see how your name appeals to different types of people. You may have a name idea that seems great but then evokes a different meaning from someone from a different culture or different gender.
11. Don’t Be Offensive or Rude
You don’t want to accidentally insult anyone with your shop name, and having an offensive or controversial business name may drive away potential customers.
Most importantly, have fun! This is an exciting and unique opportunity that you can only do once. Your Etsy shop should be something that sparks joy, and if you find yourself getting too stressed or anxious over this decision then it may be a sign to take a step back.
Your shop name is the first point of contact between you and your potential customers, and it’s an amazing opportunity for you to make a great first impression. Having a great business name can go a long way in the business world, and you should use your name to make a solid identity for your business venture.
Etsy Shop Name Ideas
To help you come up with a name for your Etsy shop, we’ve compiled a few lists with Etsy shop name ideas. Use these names as inspiration! (Or use the exact name, if someone hasn’t already).
Cute Etsy Shop Names:
- Apple Blossom
- Juniper Fox
- Narnia’s Closet
- Magnolia & Blush
- Little Tikes Boutique
- Rose Riviera
- Bisou Bisou
- Meet Cute Boutique
- Sea Salt Designs
- Sage & Summer
Clever Etsy Shop Names:
- Full Cart
- See It Want It
- Corner Shop
- This Is The Place
- Fools Gold Jewelry
- Shore Thing
- Never Fully Dressed
- The Happy Place
- Nearly New Vintage
- The Treasure Chest
Creative Etsy Shop Names:
- Indiana Bones Pet Store
- Blooming Wild
- The Craft House
- Unique Boutique
- Craft Collective
- Art Haus
- Sketch & Snip
- Woven Dreams
- First Impressions
- Inkling
Cool Etsy Shop Names:
- Rebel Rebel
- Dear Friend
- Carpe Diem Designs
- Sugar Fix
- Changing Seasons
- The Edit
- April Row
- Word Up Creative
- Penny Lane Vintage
- Rock Paper Scissors
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