How to Name a Podcast: Strategies for a Standout Podcast Name

Much like a newborn, naming your podcast is a significant step that carries immense importance. It’s the first impression listeners get about your show. It sets the tone, frames the expectations, and encourages your potential audience to tune in.

An effective name, such as “LePod” for a show discussing the NBA and its all-time scorer, immediately resonates with the targeted sports fans, making it catchy and memorable.

If you’re launching a podcast about entrepreneurship, you might think of words like ‘entrepreneur,’ ‘startup,’ ‘success,’ or ‘innovation.’

But, you could consider a name like “Entrepreneurial Edge” to pique interest while providing a clear insight into the content of your show. This rolls off the tongue easily and subtly conveys your podcast’s unique perspective on entrepreneurship.

1. Cultivating the art of brainstorming

To arrive at the perfect name, a creative brainstorming session is vital. Play with words, exploit the power of a thesaurus, and let your ideas take shape in a word cloud.

For instance, if you’re considering a finance-themed podcast, beyond the obvious words like ‘finance,’ ‘investment,’ ‘wealth,’ and ‘money,’ you could add a sprinkle of creativity with names like “Cash Chronicles” or “Fiscal Frames.”

Ideally, you want to come up with many options before zeroing in on the perfect name. Dabble with words, use a thesaurus, create word clouds – anything that can help stir the creative juices.

2. Keeping your audience at the forefront

Remember, your podcast isn’t just about what you want to say; it’s about what your audience wants to hear. It’s the same goal as when you name a business. So, before settling on a name, think about what would resonate with your target audience. Consider what they’re seeking from your podcast and select a title that subtly communicates this.

Ask yourself: What is my podcast about? What would my listeners find interesting? What value will they gain, and what will keep them coming back?

Your podcast’s name should accurately reflect its theme while appealing to your target demographic. For example, a show called “Coding Crux” would undoubtedly attract coding enthusiasts and tech professionals.

The podcast “Freakonomics Radio” is an excellent example of this. The name, a play on the term’ economics,’ indicates that the show presents economic concepts in an unconventional, engaging manner. This cleverly appeals to its target audience – individuals interested in learning about economics but in a non-traditional way.

3. Capturing your podcast’s tone

Your podcast’s name should be a mirror reflecting its content and style. A show with a lighthearted and humorous take on world history might be well represented by a name like “History Hijinks.” At the same time, a more serious, in-depth exploration of historical events could opt for something like “Chronicles of Time.”

4. Maintaining originality: stand out in the crowd

When it comes to podcast naming, uniqueness is crucial. A thorough search on various platforms like Google, podcast directories, and social media can help ensure your name hasn’t already been claimed. You want to avoid using similar or recycled names, which can lead to confusion and possible legal issues.

5. Learning from the best: successful podcast names

Successful podcasts can provide valuable insight into what works in naming a podcast.

Generally, effective podcast names are short and easy to remember, avoid numbers and misspelled words, leverage literary techniques like rhyme or alliteration, and often steer clear of overused terms like “podcast,” favoring alternatives such as “show,” “talk,” or “experience.”

6. Striking a balance: length and discoverability

Remember, brevity is the soul of wit, and the same applies to podcast names. A concise and catchy name will likely stick in your audience’s memory. On the technical front, integrating relevant search terms into your podcast’s name can significantly enhance its discoverability.

However, avoid ‘keyword stuffing.’ Including as many relevant keywords as possible in your title might be tempting, but this can lead to your podcast being rejected by hosting platforms. Moreover, overusing keywords can make your podcast title feel inauthentic and spammy.

7. Experimentation: take your podcast name for a spin

Once you’ve brainstormed a list of potential names, it’s time to take them for a spin. Say them out loud and see how they sound. Are they easy to pronounce? Are there any words or phrases that create ambiguity?

Remember that your audience will often hear your podcast name, making audibility as crucial as readability.

8. Using tools: podcast name generators

If you find yourself stuck, consider using a podcast name generator. These tools can generate hundreds of potential names for your podcast in seconds by inputting specific keywords and playing around with different settings. Plus, they often include a feature to check domain availability for your chosen name.

9. Studying other podcast names in your niche

Don’t avoid examining other successful podcast names in your niche when seeking inspiration. By doing so, you can identify the naming conventions that work and the ones that don’t.

For example, podcasts such as “Startup” or “How I Built This” are straightforward and instantly communicate what the show is about, making them highly discoverable. On the other hand, podcasts like “The Tim Ferriss Show” leverage the host’s established reputation to attract listeners.

10. Avoiding duplication

Lastly, make sure your podcast name is unique. Duplication can confuse potential listeners and might even land you in legal trouble. So, thoroughly search Google, podcast directories, and even social media platforms to ensure your chosen name isn’t already used.

11. Seeking feedback

Once you’ve narrowed your choices, don’t hesitate to ask friends, family, and colleagues for opinions. You might be too close to your project to see potential issues so an external perspective can provide valuable insights.

Examples of podcast names for inspiration

Consider these examples to get your creative juices flowing:

General Podcast Names: “History Weekly,” “Humor Review,” “Fashion Show,” “Politics Talks,” “Comedy Chat”

Unique and Quirky Names: “Listen Lilies,” “Recap Stream,” “Fashion Junkie,” “History Junkie,” “Favorite Roundup”

Sports Podcast Names: “Scope Sports,” “Stance Talk,” “The Sportsman Show,” “Endzone Talks,” “NBA Review”

Ultimately, the perfect podcast name is a blend of creativity, relevance, and originality. It should convey your podcast’s essence while capturing your audience’s attention. With these guidelines in mind, you’re well on your way to crafting a podcast name that hits all the right notes.