Frances JeanAlright, so you want to start a podcast. Cool! But here’s the rub: picking the right podcast name is like naming your pet — it’s gotta stick, be cool, and not sound like a dog’s dinner.
I learned this the hard way. My first podcast name? “The Soundcast.” Yeah, not exactly a crowd-pleaser. It was as forgettable as my failed attempts at making sourdough bread last spring (RIP, Gary the starter). But hey, if you’re gonna dive into the world of podcasting, you better make those podcast names count.
Why Podcast Names Are More Important Than You Think (Seriously)
Think about it: your podcast name is the first handshake you give your listeners. And not the sweaty, awkward kind either — the good kind, that makes people want to stick around.
Plus, podcast names aren’t just for looks. They help folks find you on Apple, Spotify, or wherever y’all get your audio fix. You want a name that’s search-friendly but still sounds like you.
Oh, and here’s a nugget: your podcast name sets the mood. If it sounds like a yawn-fest, that’s exactly what your listeners will expect.
What Makes Podcast Names Pop? Here’s The Skinny
- Catchy as heck. Like that song you can’t get outta your head, your podcast name should stick.
- Clear as day. Don’t make your listeners guess what your podcast is about. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
- Short-ish. Long names? Nah. People barely read past three words anyway.
- Unique. Seriously, don’t be “The Talk Show.” That’s about as unique as Walmart on Black Friday.
- Easy to spell. Their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged. But don’t make your audience work that hard.
How I Brainstorm Podcast Names (Spoiler: It’s Messy)
Here’s how I do it. Step one: figure out what your show’s really about. Like, the soul of it. Mine was “food, travel, and bad jokes,” so I scribbled down words like “bite,” “road,” and “giggle.”
Step two: mash those words together. Sometimes it sounds dumb. Sometimes wicked good. For example, “Bite & Banter” almost made the cut before I realized it sounded like a dental podcast.
Step three: check if the domain’s free. Because you want your podcast name to be all over the internet, not just chilling in your head.
Step four: ask your mom or your neighbor Tina. Tina swears her kale patch cured her Zoom fatigue—and she’s not wrong. If she digs it, you’re golden.
Real-Life Examples That Slay The Podcast Name Game
Okay, so you want ideas? Here’s a few that grabbed me:
Bold and Clear
- Tech Talk Today – No fluff, just tech.
- Mindful Minutes – For those who want peace without the fluff.
- True Crime Chronicles – If you’re into creepy stories and late-night chills.
Fun and Quirky
- Binge Mode – Like my weekend plans, except it’s a podcast.
- The Laugh Track – For comedy that doesn’t make you snort soda.
- Chatterbox Chronicles – For the gab-fests we all love.
Super Niche
- Gardening Gurus – My neighbor’s go-to. She once brought me a carrot the size of a baseball bat.
- Crypto Craze – Because who understands Bitcoin? No one. But this podcast pretends it does.
- Fitness Fuel – For those of us who work out… occasionally.
Personal & Relatable
- Mom Life Unfiltered – For parenting chaos with a side of wine.
- The Daily Grind – For that 9-to-5 hustle (or pretending to).
- Between Us – Because everyone needs a little secret-sharing.
Quick Tips for Boosting Your Podcast Names’ Street Cred
- Use keywords smartly, but don’t sound like a robot. “Podcast names” isn’t just a phrase—it’s the whole point.
- Keep your podcast name consistent across socials, websites, and, well, real life.
- Plan for growth — your podcast might start about knitting but end up talking about conspiracy theories. (Not judging.)
- Get real feedback. I once tested a name on Twitter and ended up with a dozen trolls telling me I should quit. Fun times.
Common Pitfalls I Totally Fell Into
- Picking generic names like “Chat Time” that get lost faster than my phone at a party.
- Using words so complicated that even I can’t spell them later.
- Copying big podcast names (don’t be that guy).
- Forgetting to make it feel human. If your name doesn’t make you smile or raise an eyebrow, rethink it.
Testing Your Podcast Names Without Losing Your Mind
You can toss up a quick poll on Insta or Facebook. I did this once and got everything from “Awesome!” to “What even is that?”
Try A/B testing — make two ads with different names and see which one gets more clicks. Science!
Google your names. If the top results are your competition, maybe try harder.
Check what the big dogs are naming their shows — then try to be the weird cousin.
Legal Stuff You Shouldn’t Ignore (I Almost Did)
Trademark research is your best friend here. I found out the hard way that someone else owned “Podcasting Pro” (ouch).
Also, lock down the domain and social handles. The cracked watering can from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave survived my overwatering phase—don’t let your brand die like my plants did.
If you’re really serious, register your podcast name as a trademark. Sounds fancy but saves headaches.
Tools That Make Naming Less Torturous
- Shopify’s Business Name Generator (it spits out weird but sometimes gold names).
- Namemesh (rhymes and combos, anyone?)
- Thesaurus.com and RhymeZone — because sometimes “chat” just ain’t enough.
- MindMeister to map out your brainstorm mess visually.
The Real Talk Finale
Look, I don’t want to sound like a TED Talk robot, but your podcast name is everything. It’s how folks find you, remember you, and tell their friends about you.
So:
- Make it catchy.
- Make it you.
- Keep it simple.
- Test it till it sticks.
- And don’t forget to laugh a little along the way.
Anyway, here’s the kicker — if you can nail your podcast names, you’re already halfway there.
Ann Kathryn