I always thought it would be a blast to be the guy who got to name cars: Impala, Chevelle, Sunbird, Cordoba (of the fine Corinthian leather infamy). The folks at Strategic Name Development (kind of prosaic, given what they do, don't you think?) offer this research factoid:
Names starting with the letters X and Z suggest innovation, complexity and masculinity. For example, XBox, XTerra, XM Radio, Xeon processors.
Further, they say, consumers perceive product names that begin with B, C and S as classic. Close behind those letters on the classic connotation scale are T, L, R, and D. Think Bentley, Cadillac, Rolex.
I like this kind of information because it makes me think about how we name our websites. Usually they are as prosaic as the name of the company who gave us this research. But prosaic names don't always make good brand names. And after all, aren't we in the brand business?
Friday, December 28, 2007
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I know, there's an irony to giving a prosaic name to a naming company. However, search engines don't work like human brains: the more prosaic and literal and descriptive it is, the better they like it.
ReplyDeleteBesides, no one looking at SND's name has to wonder about what we do.
Agree, on both counts. I like prosaic. Cut the BS and tell me who you are, I say. Congrats on having the guts to resist going too clever and precious. You saved lots of money that you would have otherwize spent developing an identity for your brand!
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