---
name: "app-naming"
description: "Pick an iOS app name that's brandable, memorable, trademark-clear, domain-available. Use when the user says 'app name', 'naming', 'pick a name', 'brand name'."
---

# App Naming

Apps with names under 20 characters get ~40% more installs in 2026.

## 8-point naming checklist
Before committing:
1. **Brandable, not descriptive** — "Vectra" beats "BestPhotoEditorApp"
2. **Memorable + spellable on first hearing** — no unusual spellings, numbers, hyphens
3. **One or two syllables ideal**
4. **`.com` or `.app` domain available** — query 8 registrars at once via Namechk
5. **USPTO clear in your filing class** — Class 9 (downloadable software), Class 42 (SaaS) — pre-search at tmsearch.uspto.gov
6. **App Store name not taken** — search App Store + Google Play
7. **No Apple-protected terms** — "Apple," "iPhone," "iPad," "Apple Watch," "Mac," "App Store," "Siri," "Vision Pro," "AirPods", "Genius"
8. **Bundle ID reverse-DNS** — `com.example.appname`

## 2026 naming patterns that worked

### Pattern A — "[Noun] AI" (Cal AI, Photo AI, HeadshotPro, Rizz AI, Plant AI)
Telegraphs "AI tool that does [obvious thing]." Apple algorithm indexes "AI" as high-volume keyword.

### Pattern B — "[Verb]Fast / [Verb]Pro" (Marc Lou: ShipFast, LogoFast, CodeFast)
Short verbs + quality modifier. Each tool = separate domain so it ranks independently.

### Pattern C — Single invented word (Linear, Notion, Bezel, Halide, Mela)
No built-in keywords, all brand. Long game — best with existing audience.

## Default for indie without audience
Pattern A or B. Skip pattern C until you have distribution.

## Free tools workflow (10 min)
1. **Namechk** — domain + 50 social handles in one query
2. **Instant Domain Search** — 8 registrars + pricing
3. **USPTO TESS** — exact match + phonetic similarity in Class 9 + 42
4. **TMView** — 70+ national/EU trademark offices
5. **App Store + Play Store search** — direct in-store

## When to pay trademark attorney
- Phonetic/visual collision with existing mark
- Filing 2+ classes
- Office Action received (~50% of applications get one; 44% of pro-se applicants fail to overcome it)
- Cost: $2,000-$3,500 flat fee or $300-$600/hr

## Reference
`references/04-discovery-listing.md`