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Make a name for yourself - literally & figuratively 

Naming Services that turn what you’re called into what you’re known for.

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You’re going to feel a little pinch…

You thought naming would be fun, now you just want it to be over

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Over the next few sentences I’ll remind you that the enthusiasm you once had for your rebrand, podcast, program, [*insert thing here*], was weeks? Months? [timeframe redacted to spare your dignity] ago…

Because every potential name carries the weight of future first impressions, silent judgments, and that tiiiiny voice in your head taunting you:

“It has to be cool.”

“People have to get it.”

“Why can’t I just use my actual name?” 

You’re out of ideas, out of patience, and this project is feeling like a classic pharmaceutical commercial: “side effects may include chronic overthinking, crippling indecision, compulsive rebranding within 6 months…”

All you wanted was a name that sticks. Sells. A name you’re proud to say out loud, and slap on a T-shirt.

…and all you got was lost in the letters. 

You’re not out of options yet though. You could:

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Crowdsource it. Naming by committee always helps  [if you’re open to 148 more options you hadn’t considered…and hate…]

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Watch that one tiny lesson on naming in that one GIANT course you bought by someone who likely never studied naming…

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Ask AI for more suggestions… “Are you there Claude? It’s me, Desperate."

Done-with-you

NameStorming Session

IDK

When you don’t know, I do. 

Recommended for naming products, programs, podcasts, or standalone names that don’t require a full-scale brand identity

Includes:

  • Namestorming Questionnaire – I’ll need it at least 3 days before our session so I can come ready to our…

  • 90-minute collaborative namestorming session where I’ll come prepared with…

  • A minimum of 10 strong contenders and the strategic rationale behind my thinking for each

Support Materials

  • New name announcement template & AI prompt to make your debut the right way

  • Name change checklist so you can roll out your new name without anyone panic emailing you “I can’t find [your old name]”!

*I’ve been known to overdeliver when I’m on a roll, but to guarantee taglines, world bank, visual ideas, matchy-matchy names for other products within your offer suite, etc – consider the full-service “TBD” package or add “special characters”!

Investment: $750

"I’ve been wanting to work with you for a while!


Before working with you, my naming process was usually all me. I love alliteration, so I tend to fall back on that. The most helpful part of our Namestorming Session was 100% the extra stuff we brainstormed.

 

Now, I have names and titles for each module, plus a messaging theme for the funnel. I also love that we were able to come up with taglines for each offer."

—Melissa, Litchfield Media (@litchfieldmedia)

Newsletters

Businesses

Workshops

Services

Podcasts

Done-for-you

Full Service Naming & Brand Strategy

TBD

Where uncertainty meets opportunity!

Perfect for rebrands, new businesses, and hero products that need a name to make a killer first impression

Phase 1: Creative Brief & Criteria Development

  • Namestorming Questionnaire – I’ll need it at least 3 days before our session so I can come ready to our…

  • 60-min creative exploration call where we'll finalize your criteria and maybe even do some initial namestorming!

Phase 2: The Pièce de Résistance – The Naming & Positioning Presentation

  • An overarching concept and curated list of 15+ contenders & strategic rationale for each

    • And if applicable, “matchy, matchy” names for other products to have a cohesive offer suite

  • A fresh take on your brand story so you don’t have to just say “I hired Katie Pannell to name it.” (I won’t stop you though…)

  • Tagline suggestions to reinforce your new name & positioning

  • Key messaging/positioning strategy and a word bank & phrases to support your new name and concept

  • Preliminary domain + trademark search on my top 3 suggestions

  • Visual identity suggestion for my #1 top proposed name (I make a mean mood board to help you visualize your new name in the wild.)

Phase 3: Any “Special Character” Add-Ons

  • Because I think you’ll find that the right name has LEGS that are really FUN to run with!

Support Materials

  • New name announcement template & AI prompt to make your debut the right way

  • Name change checklist so you can roll out your new name without anyone panic emailing you “I can’t find [your old name]”!

  • 1 week of Voxer support post- presentation (includes additional namestorming if needed - up to 10 additional names)

Investment: $2500

"I loved our original name, but we couldn’t get trademarks, so I knew I needed help.

 

The name we landed on speaks to the emotional side of why we sunless tan—how it gives us more confidence. It makes it about the inside feelings rather than just the product itself.

 

Katie is a friggin’ creative mastermind and I’d tell my nemesis not to hire her or they might end up with a cooler name than us…"

—Radley Buxton, Stupid Happy

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Special Characters

AKA - Add-Ons to really *sell* your new name

"Quotation Marks"

Because how you say things is just as important as what you're saying.

Messaging Strategy & Copy Edits:

  • Website Copy Audit, Edit & LIVE Review of current “face first” assets (landing or opt-in page, home page, & welcome sequence), suggestions for improvement, and a 90-minute collaborative LIVE copy editing session via Zoom.

Brand Voice Development/Analysis & Guidelines 

(Delivered post-copy edits)

  • Brand personality & tone

  • Cadence & rhythm

  • Word bank (themed to your concept)

  • Humor specifications

  • Style guide (punctuation, emojis, formatting)

  • AI prompts for voice consistency

Investment: $2000

Exclamation Point!

Because your launch should make some noise.

Launch & Content Planning:

  • 60-min launch planning call

  • 30-day content strategy & ideas bank

  • Seasonal/timely hook ideas

Media Kit & Press Materials:

  • Founder 1st & 3rd person bios

  • Product/Service overview

  • Expert topics (what you will/won't speak on)

  • Controversy angles (what you're for/against)

  • Custom podcast pitch template

Investment: $1000

Asterisk*

Because the fine print shouldn't be an afterthought.

Launch & Content Planning:

  • Basic internet/Google search

  • Domain ideas + availability check

  • Social handle ideas + search

  • Third-party trademark screening

  • Comprehensive search report

  • Trademark attorney recommendations

*See disclaimer below.

Investment: $500

*Very Important Disclaimer*

This is the fine print -- or "legal chic" as I call it.

I cannot guarantee results or trademark availability. Any names provided through my services are the result of sheer creative brainpower and a catalog of proven naming strategies -- but they have not undergone a full trademark evaluation -- only a third party tool to provide a deeper-than-the-USTPO preliminary search. I highly recommend having a trademark attorney conduct a full evaluation of the name (domestic and international).

My Method

The ABC to OMG Naming Method for names that sound good AND sell well

A

A is for Angle

Before we name it, we need to nail down what makes your brand different—because a name without a strong angle is just a placeholder. This is where we carve out your "you-sized hole in the marketplace" (as the girlbosses say) and define your positioning.

B

B is for Brand

I need to know where to draw the line—because while I love wordplay and puns, some brands need a different approach. We’ll define what’s on-brand vs. off-brand, covering tone, personality, humor, and style. Send me a “vibes” board, and we’ll make sure your name matches your vision.

C

C is for Criteria

This is how we keep the process strategic—not subjective. Before I start naming, we’ll decide together what makes a name “right” for your brand. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of different criteria (like length, tone, SEO, emotional punch), and you’ll get a chance to review, tweak, or approve the list. That way, when we evaluate name ideas later, we’re not going off gut feelings—we’re going off goals.

Then, I vet my ideas to bring you names that are:

O

O is for Original

Have you heard it before? Does it sound too familiar? And let’s not forget the honorary O—Objective—making sure every name aligns with your approved criteria.

M

M is for Meaningful

Does it emotionally resonate with you or your audience? Will it lend itself to a story people actually want to share?

G

G is for Growth Potential

Does it give you room to expand? Can it evolve into sister brands, spin-offs, or a whole ecosystem of related names?

And that’s how you go from “IDK” or “TBD” to “That’s the One!

&

Who I’ve named for:

  • Spray Tanning Education & Products

  • Mom & Baby Luxury Skincare 

  • Clean Beauty Brands

  • Brand & Web Designers

  • Wedding Band

  • Podcasters

  • Cookbook Authors

  • Accountants

  • Mindset/Life Coaches

  • Hairstylists & Salon Owners

  • A hospital 

  • Ad Agencies

  • Professional Home Organizers

  • Health/Wellness Coaches

  • __[YOUR INDUSTRY HERE]__

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Here to make a name for yourself – literally?

There’s a DIY option for that

Take the "You Name It" Challenge - A 5-day crash course in the art, science, and strategy of naming your next big thing.

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I come highly recommended

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The "Spell it Out" Section

Also known as FAQs

  • Which naming package should I do?
    Are you naming something that falls under an existing brand identity? → IDK. (That’s what it’s called, in case you skimmed it.) Are you naming the umbrella that that thing would fall under? → TBD. Do you want to be heavily involved in the process? → IDK. Do you want to bang your head on a wall trying to think about naming? → TBD.
  • What's the process for the larger "TBD" package?
    Proposal I do “on-demand” Voxer sales chats because nothing kills the buzz of possibility like waiting for a scheduled call. So, if now’s a good time – I’m free! I’ll answer your questions, help you pick the right package, then send over a proposal that covers everything we discuss. “Paper”work Once you’ve decided to let go and let me name for you (or with you!), I’ll just need your John Hancock on a contract and a $500 deposit to lock in your spot. Prep I'll send you a creative brief to complete. It's just the usual stuff - about you, your business, what you like and don't like, etc. Then once that's complete, we'll schedule a call to review that and develop your criteria. PAUSE! This is THE most important part. Before I start ideating names, we need to lock in the right criteria to keep us objective vs. subjective. After we’ve talked through your questionnaire, I’ll send you a final criteria list for approval. You’ll have 24 hours to tweak, refine, or give it the green light—because once I start naming, we’re committed. Presentation THE BEST DAY! I play Don Draper and pitch you a concept, new brand story, strong & strategic, names, taglines, etc. Then, we narrow down which ones best fit the agreed upon criteria. Promote Time to get out there with ya bad self. I’ll provide resources on how to go forth and put your new name in everyone’s mouth!
  • How long is this going to take?!
    My standard naming process takes 1-2 weeks, but if you’re adding any “special characters,” the timeline might stretch a bit depending on what’s involved.
  • What if I don’t like any of the names?
    Tell me! I won’t be offended – I’m not emotionally attached to any of the names I present to you. But plot twist – you shouldn’t be either. Our goal is to land on a name that meets your objectives, fits your brand personality and criteria. That’s why I have you approve it before I even start ideating – to keep us objective! However, in the rare case that none of the names feel right (even though they meet the agreed criteria), I’ll have you revise your criteria, then we’ll have another week of namestorming together via Voxer.
  • Do you guarantee that the names can be trademarked?
    I offer an “Asterisk” add-on that includes a more comprehensive search by a third-party to minimize risks, but full legal clearance should always be done by a trademark attorney before you use your new name.
  • Do I own all the names on the list?
    Your investment covers the naming process and exclusive rights to one final pick. Creatively and strategically developed, vetted & 100% yours. The rest are just part of the process—not the product—and they remain my intellectual property. It’s kind of like house hunting. I show you the best options that match your criteria, but you only close on one. The rest stay on the market. I hold onto unused names for at least 3 months before I even think about recycling, reimagining, or repurposing them for another project. This grace period gives you time to sleep on it—and if another name keeps calling your name, we can talk about what it looks like to license an additional one. This isn’t just my policy—it’s standard across the naming industry. The “rejects” remain the IP of the naming consultant or agency unless otherwise agreed upon. It protects your brand, and the integrity of the work.
  • Why should I hire someone to name for me?!
    Wellllllll, I'll let some numbers do the talking for this one. 77% of consumers say a brand’s name influences their purchase decisions. (Source: Journal of Consumer Research, 2023) 64% are more likely to notice a business with a witty name (Source: Simply Business, 2022) A strong, well-chosen name can increase brand recall by 33% compared to a generic or unmemorable name. (Source: Nielsen, 2021) Rebranding due to a weak or problematic name can cost companies upwards of $1M, including lost equity, new branding materials, and marketing costs. (Source: Business Insider, 2024)
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