How to name things efficiently using symbols?
As you sow, so you reap. Choosing a name for your brand is the first step toward entering the market. Symbols are how names attempt to be unique. Elon Musk referred to his son as an innovative combination of letters and symbols, but did he consider the repercussions? How to prevent a failure: read Saffron's brand consultants' interpretation of the information.
The singer Grimes and tech billionaire Elon Musk decided that naming their kid would be too tricky with the 26-letter alphabet. They gave their newborn boy the name X Æ A-Xii, a play on elven language, Roman numbers, and even a nod to the CIA plane.
This unorthodox name strategy undoubtedly represents a developing trend in the branding industry. Brands use symbols instead of just the alphabet to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Naturally, this gives you many more name alternatives, but it's crucial to remember that creative character usage still requires adherence to fundamental naming guidelines.
1. Select a name that is simple to recall
A brand name should be simple to comprehend and memorable in a competitive market.
There's always room to defy expectations while naming. Similar to how Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple to defy preconceptions or how Steve Jobs went above and beyond merely using a descriptive name for his computer firm.
Especially in businesses with few unique qualities, using symbols aids in differentiation. For instance, More Th>n and LV= used symbols in the insurance sector to outdo one another in name and improve remember compared to their rivals.
2. Describe a significant event.
Symbols are representative and have a purpose; they are not meaningless.
For novelty, using random characters may cause people to misinterpret the brand. The significance of the name X Æ A-Xii has been the subject of several theories ranging from Norse mythology to the Book of Genesis. Adopting a symbol that creates a distinct legend around the brand name is essential for ensuring accurate audience perception.
The name of a chain of bakeries and coffee shops in Taiwan, 85°C, alludes to the ideal temperature for making coffee. It is a classic yet straightforward tale in which the °C sign represents quality and accuracy.
3. Represent true identity
When used correctly, symbols support a brand's tone of emphasis. The exhilaration and excitement of brand users are conveyed by the exclamation point at the end of Yahoo! and YUM! It is asserted that the brand identification system preserves the brand character. This tone is genuine and suitable for the brand within the applicable categories, yet inappropriate for professional legal practice.
4. Make the title simple to say
Between creativity and impracticability, there is a thin boundary. The name will act as a point of reference for your brand; therefore, it must be pronounceable for people.
Pronouncing the name X Æ A-Xii is not conceivable despite its visual recognition. Su:m37°, a Korean cosmetics company, has a name rich in symbolism. Although the design is impressive, the dividing mark may confuse or impede pronunciation and readability, which does not benefit the brand. Whether you like it or not, the brand name depends mainly on word-of-mouth and speech technology.
5. Verify the authenticity
All creativity aside, the brand identity needs to be registered lawfully. Legal constraints prevent you from using multiple characters, such as brackets, while registering a trademark.
The selected name may suffer if legal compliance checks are neglected. Elon Musk and Grimes had to deal with this when the state of California insisted on removing the characters X Æ A-Xii on the birth certificate rather than adding them. It is crucial to regularly verify the legal laws to prevent needless naming alterations.
6. Ensure that your domain is high quality.
Registering a reputable domain name for your brand is a sanitary practice in the modern digital environment. Unfortunately, Elon Musk is the owner of X.com. It's not only accessibility that counts when it comes to symbols.
The domain name restricts the maximum character count. For instance, the domain name "?" was made to disappear by the consumer association Which? Variability in spelling creates ambiguity and makes it more difficult for people to look for your business online. After demonstrating inventiveness and incorporating symbols into the brand name to reconstruct, all the hard efforts may be in vain, causing the business to appear far down the search results page.
7. Select a name that has worldwide resonance.
Selecting a name for your brand is a long-term choice. Your name should resonate with people who are considering going worldwide. Employing symbols transcends linguistic barriers and, in general, can improve worldwide resonance beyond the confines of the English alphabet.
However, the brand you name will also impact this resonance. Ultimately, the name is a carrier of some meaning and a guideline.
Uniqueness isn't the only factor to consider while naming a business or child.
Consider these considerations if you intend to utilize symbols in the name of your new product or brand:
Verify the name's usability by determining whether it works well for voice assistants and the website at all points of audience contact.
Does the name abide by the law in every market where the brand is sold?
Is it simple to pronounce the selected name? How would a customer pronounce the company name if they wish to spread the word about a great review to their friends?
Is it possible to assist your goals by getting free attention for your brand or product by utilizing a symbol in a brand name or even a child's name?
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ICU Branding agency
ICU Branding agency
Branding agency that creates a connection between business and audience through in-depth research and creative thinking.