That's a Choice: Activations
- Katie Pannell
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
I told myself that I had to finish my copy by Monday so I could read Onyx Storm in 1 sitting on Tuesday. Only problem is, I need an Iron Flame refresher and I can't write and audiobook at the same time so that leaves me one option - write at warp speed.
Which I WAS doing until I made the mistake of opening my email.
That's when I saw it.
A name change announcement from one of my FAVORITE brands.
Aaand now we're here.
Beginning a new series called: “That's a Choice.”
This is the unanticipated first edition.
Why “That's a Choice”? Because naming is nuanced and SUBJECTIVE. Of course it does require more than creative thinking-- there is actual objective strategy and linguistics involved, but no one can deny the subjectivity of it.
So, “That's a Choice" is merely my (professional) opinion on names in the wild.
The name in question: “Activations”
Activations is the new name of my FAVORITE meditation app formerly known as: Superhuman.
Superhuman was objectively a GREAT name for this app. It's 'spensive as far as meditation apps go, so every time I opened the app to meditate I felt validated in my choice, like "hell yeah, it's worth $30/month to become SUPERHUMAN."
That name tapped into some serious subscriber psychology. It made me feel something. Better than something – it made me feel POWERFUL. And the quality of the mediations match that “superhuman” energy. They have different categories that make meditation fit into my life. Walking meditations. Writing meditations. Getting Ready meditations that whisper sweet somethings into your ear holes as you stare at your 'just-woke-up-puffy-pre-gua-sha-lymphatic-drainage-because-youth-is-fleeting' reflection in the mirror.
There is nothing better than starting your morning feeling SUPERHUMAN for 5 minutes.
RIP.
Activations took the human out of it. Literally. Who approved this!? Not even “Activated” which one could rationalize as the verb you feel post-meditation… but “Activations” which just sounds like AI for the various mediation categories you can choose from.
Here's a blurb from their announcement email:
This change reflects exactly what we're here to do: help you activate your best self with powerful, transformative audio experiences for every moment of your day.
Why the Change? We wanted a name that's clear, simple, and true to our mission. “Activations” perfectly captures the energy and purpose behind the audios you know and love.
…yeah…Superhuman is MUCH more mission based if you want me to feel like my “best self with powerful and transformative audio experiences…”
But what do I know? I'm just a naming strategist who uses “Activations” to keep me creatively sharp :)
Oh, and another thing I hated LOATHED about this name change roll-out: my app updated days before I got the email. I needed extra meditation time to slow my heartbeat after I realized what had happened.
Overnight I went from “superhuman” to “activations?!?!” C'MON. No fun launch runway, no warning, no foreplay. (I will absolutely be calling name change launches foreplay from now on.)
Activations – THAT WAS A CHOICE THAT GOT CHOSEN. sad.
Next time, I'm gonna roast names of my former employers. Figured that'd be a good way to see which bosses used an alias to get on my email list.
To questionable choices,
Katie Pannell
P.S. If you are one of my former employers, “Shane's Rib Shack” is up first so you still have time to unsubscribe.
![I is for If/Then
This one is for the people who want to name their thing *for* their people.�
It’s this simple:
If my people are into [insert weirdly specific thing],�then the name should feel like [insert unexpected vibe].
After that, decide on a tone word to describe your if/then.
Then make a list of single words that fit the tone. Repeat. So, round 2 would be 2 tone words, and 2 word combos. Go until 4 tone words and 4 word combos.
Here’s an example so you don’t overthink this:
If my people are into slow, minimal morning routines,�then the name should feel like choosing yourself before checking your email.
The tone here feels grounded.
So here are some of my one word wonders: still, whisper, always, hush, prelude.
Two tone words: grounded, lyrical.
Two word combos: me first, before them, soft boundaries, only always
See?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/488217639_18032261684635771_8301651091444165714_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=rsAN6NpfndcQ7kNvwFDSP66&_nc_oc=AdlkZgnF6AcxqUXOBIkIV49HUc5DVpzl1My6Z4OghLCZ5Uz1Z9ocQPFJu_quL9OXG_E&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=hGCKuqUm9ca51436LrBHZw&oh=00_AfGrnxtKqK38QbZt-9cmgpya82H9lxa0sNOrPr8PGhB8Rg&oe=681049A9)
![R is for Roleplay
You have full permission to use AI for this one— I brought prompts!
TO BE CLEAR — We’re *not* using AI to come up with a name. We’re using it to get your brain unstuck by forcing you to explain, defend, or rethink your thing in ways you wouldn’t on your own. “Verbally” process to see what words, phrases, descriptions bubble up. You may land on a name afterward, or a tagline, or new copy!
I like to run through 3 scenarios: talking to your harshest critic, your yes-man best friend, and a parent who doesn’t quite understand how you make money on the Internet.
AI is definitely the easiest way to roleplay (especially if you’re trying to keep your thing a secret until it launches), but you could if you borrow a person IRL too.
Here are your prompts:
1. Harsh Critic:
AI Prompt: "Act as if you're my harshest critic, grilling me on [thing you’re naming]. Challenge every assumption. Tell me why it doesn’t stand out, why no one will care, and what makes it a dumb idea. Identify any weaknesses or negative associations. Be “relentless, but insightful. I need to see this from every angle.”
2. Yes-Man Best Friend:
AI Prompt: "Pretend you’re my best friend who thinks everything I do is GENIUS. Tell me why my [thing you’re naming] is the most exciting, brilliant, must-have idea ever. What makes it irresistible? What words come to mind when describing it? Make assumptions about its success and highlight its best features."
3. Perplexed Parent:
AI Prompt: “Act as my as my technologically-challenged parent who never quite understands what I do. Ask me basic, but confused questions about [the thing you're naming] to clarify its purpose and appeal. Force “me to explain it in the simplest way possible.](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/485120929_18030822563635771_1594399755830970539_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=nMM-8N0nee4Q7kNvwFr3pni&_nc_oc=AdlTw4fPZbrM6IfbUwDJRJDoPNQiuwI0TRDyyVZo6HStNUFPPCXjcdlSrMJPZSIB1dQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=hGCKuqUm9ca51436LrBHZw&oh=00_AfGPfjyFXA8KzwhKr8XywT6DiIkAj_kxozLve5s6MlarFg&oe=68104B8E)
![T is for Time Travel
What would your brand be called in another decade? A throwback name can make anything feel nostalgic, timeless, or futuristic—depending on which era you borrow from.
The ‘50s trend was suffixes like “—omatic” and “—orama.”
The ‘60s was all very space agey and atomic.
Flash forward to the early 2000s when dropping vowels was the hot new thing, or adding “-ly.”
Then there was the era of [color][noun]…
How to time travel:
1. Cosplay as me! Go to a thrift store, antique store, yard sale or estate sale (like I do every single weekend) and notice the names of things. Old stuff = a naming time capsule
2. Study old ads and packaging — look for suffixes.
3. Google some forgotten words or slang. (Just look ‘em up on urban dictionary before you get attached because they might have new meaning since their original use…)](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/485128557_18030670289635771_3134685602885424824_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=vZjDhX2DGmkQ7kNvwFBJbMR&_nc_oc=AdmT5oMjYV-RpmH3yLrukmT-UdUk3pTseQqOehAM12vSMDFa3x2A0iHrlRecLBq4UgE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=hGCKuqUm9ca51436LrBHZw&oh=00_AfEu0Xt0J4MV2vJPp39dg6hHvw5q9m_t5wC1ZLM7qWwRIg&oe=68102845)
![Your newsletter needs a name for several reasons but here are a few:
☞ Because just asking people to “subscribe” to whatttt exactly??? is why your list isn’t growing.
☞ Your frenemies and distant relatives will be jealous to see [Your Newsletter Name Here] has a monthly readership of [obscenely high and cool number.]
☞ You could attract the attention of a PUBLISHER
☞ It's harder to quit when people know it by name (accountability is a blessing and a curse)
☞ You can put it on a mug (and write it off as business expense)
☞ It started its life as a newsletter, but might have a bright future in podcasting!
Comment "NAME" for my free How-To Guide!](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/483973869_18029971115635771_5714123445978720042_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=gszVE7zcnIwQ7kNvwGWkMVo&_nc_oc=Adm33CGg_EmEPtB1U9QUdJCwdWPyezpou3rtwpF-l0kG7H8hNTMBPrcFP-vzUk1CHzs&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=hGCKuqUm9ca51436LrBHZw&oh=00_AfEKtzxBD_J3Gnj2NPITxl3szI4WllJFlkhr77ESuzdIIA&oe=68104406)