A tool I use when naming projects
I lose momentum on new ideas when I fall into the domain check loop. To solve this I've been using One Word Domains.
What it is (no hype)
It's basically a searchable directory of available one-word domains across lots of TLDs where you can filter things like word type instead of guessing names one by one.
How I use it
- I start with the project, brainstorm 10-20 words that match the job it does.
- I search those words, then widen the adjacent words if I hit a dead end.
- I filter by a handful of TLDs I'd realistically use for that project.
Where it helps
It helps when I'm stuck at the naming stage of the project. Coming up with the perfect name for a new project or a re-branding can sometimes be tricky. It sometimes helps to see available domains and get inspired from the names.
I'm curious tho, what's your solution for finding one word domains? Do you usually name your project first and then build, or build first and worry about the naming later?
I usually pick a candidate first (even a two-word one), then check the identity around it before I get attached. One-word .coms are basically a lottery at this point. The trap is falling in love with a word and only later finding out the GitHub org or the Instagram handle is a dead end.
I built a small free checker for that second step: domains plus the main socials in one pass, no signup. WhatsName: https://whatsname.castorstack.com/
It doesn't generate names (One Word Domains is better for browsing available words). It just tells you whether the string you already like is actually free to use.
The naming rabbit hole is real. I've easily lost entire afternoons checking domains, googling to make sure the name isn't already taken by some random startup, checking trademark databases, seeing if the Twitter handle is available...
My approach now: pick a name in 15 minutes max. If nothing perfect exists, go with a two-word compound or add a suffix (app, hq, so, etc). A mediocre name with a great product beats a perfect name with no product.
The hardest part psychologically is accepting that the name doesn't matter as much as you think it does. Nobody cares about Stripe's name. Or Notion's. They care about the product. The name just needs to be memorable and not embarrassing.