Blogging tips #1.7: What’s in a name?

(NOTE: this is part of the “Blogging tips” series)

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.”

– from “Romeo and Juliet”, William Shakespeare

So, your new blog needs a name, right? But how to choose one?

Well, far from me to attempt to stifle your creativity. :) However, I have a few tips:

  1. If possible, choose something that you’ll actually call your blog by. This is not a requirement, but it can be helpful. Don’t just put something in the name box, such as “random thoughts” or “my blog”, and never even look at it again.
  2. Try to be original. After you’ve chosen a name, google for it. Look for it in Technorati and Google’s Blog Search. If you find blogs with that name, maybe you should think of a new one. (really, “random thoughts” isn’t actually that original… :)) Using the same name as an existing blog will make your own look like a rip-off, and, if you ever get to be successful, it may even be a cause for legal action against you.
  3. If your blog isn’t a personal one, try to include the subject of the blog in its title. For instance, instead of “Odin’s Temple”, call it “Odin’s Temple - Nordic mythology and folklore”. Search engines will “like” you more because of it. :)

Related posts:

  1. Blogging tips #10: “No blogger is an island”
  2. Blogging tips #17: when to start another blog
  3. Aviva Directory: 21 Surefire Tips for a Successful Blog Launch
  4. Blogging tips #19: have a “top posts” page
  5. Blogging: some design / ad placement changes

2 Responses to “Blogging tips #1.7: What’s in a name?”


  1. 1 Nicholas

    Generic titles such as “My life” or “Random Thoughts” are an instant signal to me of blandness and to pass on to some other blog. I agree that your title is a very important first impression you need to make.

  2. 2 TDavid

    Works great too if you can get your username.com or some derivative. I got mine with an s added but wasn’t early enough to snag the name straight away.

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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Portugal