Shakespeare said “What’s in a name?”, Though poetic and mesmerizing, having the perfect name for your app is a must!
As of the first quarter of 2023, there are more than 2.2 million apps in the Apple App Store and 3.4 million apps in the Google Play Store. With this much competition, it becomes your top priority to stand out in the crowd. But how? The first step is to choose a perfect name for your app.
However, there are so many written App Store guidelines, as well as unwritten rules like choosing an easy-to-remember name for your app. How do you choose a name that checks all the points of the perfect app name like catchy, easy to remember, high-target keywords, and unique? It might seem difficult, right?
Don’t worry, we are here to help you in choosing the perfect app name. In this article, we’ll show you how to choose the perfect name for your app and some do’s and don’ts while naming your app.
THE PERFECT APP NAME: WHY DOES YOUR APP NAME MATTER?
To get noticed on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, having the right name for your app is essential.
The very first impression of your app that your potential users get is from your app’s name and app icon. If the name of your app is not exciting or catchy enough or doesn’t convey the purpose properly; they will probably scroll down to look at some other app. Thus a bad app name might prevent app downloads and thus the overall ratings of your app.
Moreover, both the App Store as well as the Play Store sort and organize the search results as per the app. If your app name contains specific keywords then it is more probable to rank higher in the search results.
For example, you want to create an app for learning quick maths tricks for students. And you have a few app names in your mind like Quicklearno, Mathamaze, and Smart MATH. Which one would be the perfect name for your app?
If we consider the keywords aspect of app names, then the Smart MATH turns out to be the right name for the app. You might ask what’s wrong with the other two? Well, they may sound fun and catchy but are actually difficult to comprehend at first glance. Moreover, they also don’t have the most searched keywords which may make these names quite difficult to rank in the app stores.
However, including keywords in the app name is not the only factor to consider while choosing the right name for your app. Let’s understand the other essential factors to consider while deciding the perfect name of an app.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT APP NAME?
1. Brainstorm ideas to come up with a list of app names
The first to find the right name for your app is to think hard about your app and write the words that come to your mind. For example, think about the quick math learning app:
The main purpose of your app: is to help students learn quick math tricks, make maths enjoyable, easy to understand, easy to remember math tricks, etc.
The potential target audience: high school students, students preparing for competitive exams, random learners looking to improve their math skills
How does it help its users: teaches basic maths in a simple way, daily exercises, easy ways to memorize formulas, etc.
Your app features: highlight what is unique about your app, for example, your math learning app might have a learning curve tracking feature enabling users to monitor their progress
Keep growth in mind: don’t limit your app by choosing a basic app name, or later on you might have to change the name of your app because the name chosen had limited the scope of app growth.
Understand your audience: Know what your target audience wants and adjust your app name so that it sends the proper message. Connect with your audience emotionally with an app name that creates an instant connection.
Write down all the words that pop up in your mind when thinking about the app. Refine your ideas by researching descriptive words that best highlight the purpose of your app. Also, research the meanings of each word so that the app name will convey the emotion you want. The same words often have multiple meanings based on the various factors.
By the end of this brainstorming session, you should have an extensive list of words that can be used to come up with the perfect name for your app.
Save this first draft of words and follow the next steps to come up with the perfect app name.
2.Conduct market research & assess competition
After the tiring brainstorming to get the perfect app name, it is now time to do extensive market research.
Analyzing and researching the market is a time-consuming process, but worth every bit of it!
Take your time to do a proper research. You should verify that the app name is not taken by some other business already. It would be a nightmare to find that your perfect app name has already been copyrighted a few moments before the app launch!
Also, search well for its different variations to be sure you’re launching your app with the perfect app name that is unique and authentic. You want your potential users to trust your app and not think it of as some rip-off of some other app, right? Moreover, this little exercise will also save a lot of time that might be spent in future legal ramifications in case of infringement of Intellectual property rights. Both the App Store and Play Store have strong policies against such deception and impersonation.
However, market research is not only limited to ensuring a unique app name. It also includes surveys and feedback. What better to find the perfect app name than actually asking the potential customers? The feedback you receive from potential customers will help you narrow down the app name list and get you on the right track.
Also, look out for the competition. Analyze the top-performing apps in your app category and try to choose an app name similar to those yet unique enough to attract new users. You can definitely use the top app names for inspiration but be sure not to be a copycat. As mentioned earlier, this can lead to your app being rejected or even removed from the Stores.
If you are stuck, it’s better to conduct a survey of potential app names and ask users which app name would they like or use an app name generator(only to get ideas). This will give you an idea of potential app names that you can use.
3.Make the name stand out (short, easy to recall, reflects your product/service)
When looking for the right app name for your app, you want to find an app name that’s unique, and creative and makes your app stand out to attract your potential users’ attention. As per Google, 31% of new users download an app because the app name seems interesting or fun.
The following tips might help you in choosing the perfect name for your app:
Play with the words: A creative wordplay sometimes results in the perfect app name. Though you might not get the words that precisely describe your app, adding a slightly quirky or fun element to your app name can give you a catchy app name and attract potential users.
However, don’t go too far with playing with the words or creative modifications in your app name. Your users still need to understand the app name to be able to search your app.
Keep the app name short and memorable: Ideally, a short name that is unique and easy to remember is what every app creator wants. You might have many successful and top-listing apps are generally have one-word app names. A good one-word app name helps users easily remember the app name, for example: Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc. You might have used the phrase: “WhatsApp me the details”, If your app name can be used as an action in a similar way then your app name will make your app a success!
Create meaning with the app name: Every name has some meaning and carries some message that may attract potential users. If you are unable to find a perfect one-word app name that reflects the purpose of your app, try to mix two words to create a creative and more comprehensive name.
Another thing you can do to find the perfect app name is to use capitalized or lowercase words to separate the focus on the two individual words combined as one, for example: WhatsApp. Try to keep the app name simple so that the app name is easy to understand as well as remember for your users.
Two-word app name: Another great way to name your app is to choose an app name using a two-part word, where one word describes the purpose of your application and the other word its’ functionality, for example, Evernote: conveying Every time/ anytime take notes.
International App name: Are looking to go global with your app and want an international app name that is relevant and easy to understand all over the globe? If yes, then it should be your priority to ensure that your app name is easy to read and pronounce. Also, keep in mind the translation of your app name into other languages, and avoid names that might be inappropriate in other languages.
Check the availability of the name: As already mentioned above, you must ensure that your app name is not a copycat name. Double-check that your app name is complete or partly isn’t already used by some other established app. This applies not only to the app name on the stores but also to website domain names and social media accounts a well.
If your app name seems to be a copy pre-existing app it would be stuck down from the store and create a bad name for your business. Additionally, you will also have to consider Twitter handles, a Facebook page, etc. to market your app and draw user interest in your app.
Keep the app name as per the App Store guidelines: Complying both the Google Play guidelines and the App Store guidelines is a must to get your app approved by the stores as well as the users. For example, as per the store guidelines, your app name must be relevant to the content and functionality provided by your app. Following the general Google Play store and App Store guidelines will reduce the probability of your app getting rejected by the app stores.
Keep your app name within the character limit: Lastly, don’t forget about app store restrictions when it comes to choosing the perfect name for your app! For example, Google Play restricts the app name length and doesn’t allow app names beyond 30 characters (spaces included).
Moreover, to use keywords you’ll have an additional description of between 80 and 4,000 characters to rank better in the app stores. Google advises using the “brand name + key function” to make the search results more accessible to the target audience.
While on the Apple App Store, the app name can be no more than 50 characters. However, experts recommend naming your app up to 23 characters for the name to appear properly on iPhones and iPads. As you know, the app name is written below the app icon so for the sake of symmetry and readability it is better to make the app name match the length of the app icon. Otherwise, the screen will cut off the lengthy app name which could confuse potential users.
4.Choose an app name as per ASO – the app name should be easily searchable
App Store Optimization (ASO) is a key element of your marketing strategy and it begins with the name of your app.
To rank your app higher ASO Is a must, and for ASO following two things are a must:
Keywords: When submitting your app to the App stores in the metadata field you need to assign app keywords so that the store shows your app when someone searches one of those keywords. However, if your major keywords are used in your app name too, you’ll app will get better search results. But keep in mind not to be a keyword junkie, it might result in your app being rejected on the App Store.
To improve the search rankings of your app, you need to know which keywords are relevant and often searched by your target audience. So, to get the best keywords think like a customer who is searching for a particular app and you will automatically get a list of potential keywords for your app.
Make your app name easily searchable: As mentioned earlier in this article, many people download a new app just after a simple search. For organic traffic, try to think of short phrases that people are likely to use when searching for your services. Choosing an app name that aligns with those keywords is the next step.
By following these simple steps in choosing the perfect name of your app you can easily overcome the difficulties and jump to the next step: App development!
DO’S AND DON’TS OF APP NAMING
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Keep a unique app name | Don’t copy other’s name |
| It should be easy to pronounce | Focus only on keywords |
| Also easy to remember | Use special character |
| Relevant to the app service | Use explicit language |
| Keep a misleading name |
POPULAR AND PERFECT APP NAME EXAMPLES
Before we go to the app development process, let’s take a quick look at a few successful app name examples:
DUOLINGO
This popular language learning app, which allows the app users to learn how to write and speak different languages using gamification, is called “Duolingo – Language Lessons” in the app stores.
We all know that this app name is successful, but how did this app name work so well? Some of the reasons for the success of this app name are: This app name is easy to remember, targets major top keywords like language, lingo, and lessons, and it’s unique—Duolingo is definitely different from the other language learning apps available.
Symbolism is another amazing way to help users associate your app with what it has been actually created for. Facebook is the perfect example of this. When you think of Facebook, you think of your profile photo, the posts you upload, and your friends who can read them like an open book. While the name doesn’t reflect the social networking provided by the app, rather it conveys the app’s function in a practical way. You can also name your app in a similar way, becoming a brand or maybe even turning into a larger philosophy, based on the concepts behind its creation.
USE SWING2APP TO BUILD AN APP AFTER CHOOSING THE PERFECT APP NAME
Now you understand everything about choosing the perfect app name. Now you can choose an app name easily, the next step is to actually develop the app!
Use Swing2App no-code app builder and create an app just by naming your app without any coding. All you need is creativity and a unique idea.
With Swing2App no-code app builder you can build an app in 3 simple steps as shown in this video:
Visit Swing2App now and turn your dream app into reality!