A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Right podcast Name
You've decided to start a podcast. You know what you want to accomplish, who you're trying to reach, and what kind of content you want to create.
Now what are you going to call it?
Your podcast's name is one of the first things people will encounter, whether they're scrolling through Spotify, searching Google, or hearing about your show from a friend. It's an important part of your show's identity, and ideally, it's something you'll be using for years.
But choosing a podcast name isn't just a creative exercise. It's a branding decision that should reflect your audience, your content, and your long-term goals.
Here's how to approach it.
Step 1: Decide What Your Podcast Name Needs to Accomplish
Before you start brainstorming, think about the role your podcast will play in your larger brand.
For some businesses, the podcast is an extension of an existing marketing strategy. Its purpose might be to establish authority, build relationships, or introduce potential customers to the people behind the business.
For others, the podcast is intended to become its own brand, attracting an audience that may not have any prior connection to the company producing it.
Those two very different goals can lead to very different naming decisions.
If your podcast is meant to support an existing business, you might benefit from incorporating your company name, industry, or area of expertise into the title.
If you're building a standalone media brand, you may have more flexibility to develop a distinct name that can grow independently.
Neither approach is inherently better. The important thing that you decide what you want your podcast's identity to accomplish before you start choosing words.
Step 2: Choose a Podcast Naming Strategy
Descriptive Names
A descriptive podcast name communicates the show's subject matter directly. This approach can work particularly well for educational podcasts, industry-specific shows, and businesses trying to reach people interested in a particular topic. For example, a podcast called The Small Business Tax Guide would immediately communicate its intended subject and audience.
The advantage is clarity. Potential listeners don't have to guess what they'll hear. The disadvantage is that descriptive names can sometimes feel generic or limit your ability to expand into other subjects.
Personal Brand Names
If you're a consultant, entrepreneur, author, or professional building a reputation around your expertise, your own name may be one of your strongest branding assets. A podcast named after its host can create a direct connection between the content and the person behind it.
This strategy also gives you flexibility. You're not necessarily committing to one topic forever. However, it may be harder for people unfamiliar with you to understand what the podcast covers based on the title alone.
Concept-Based Names
A concept-based name is built around an idea, phrase, or theme rather than a literal description of the content. These names can be distinctive and give you more creative freedom.
Imagine a podcast about entrepreneurship called The Next Chapter. The title suggests growth and change without explicitly mentioning business ownership. That flexibility can be an advantage, but it also means your cover art, podcast description, and marketing need to do the heavy lifting of communicating the show's purpose.
Branded Names
Some podcasts incorporate the name of the business or organization producing them. This can be especially effective when the podcast's primary purpose is to strengthen an existing brand. For example, a company might name its show Inside [Company Name] or The [Company Name] Podcast.
This makes the connection between the podcast and the organization clear, although it may not immediately communicate why someone outside the company should listen. A branded podcast still needs to offer something valuable to its intended audience.
Step 3: Brainstorm Without Trying to Find the Perfect Name
One of the easiest ways to get stuck is to judge every idea the moment you think of it. Instead, separate brainstorming from evaluating. Start by writing down words and phrases connected to your podcast. Think about:
Your show's main subjects and recurring themes
The questions your audience wants answered
Words associated with your industry or expertise
The feeling or experience you want listeners to have
Phrases your audience commonly uses
Your business name, personal brand, or existing tagline
Then experiment with different combinations.
For example, imagine you're creating a podcast for first-time business owners. Your initial word list might include startup, founder, growth, first steps, building, business, and learning. From there, you could develop ideas like The First-Time Founder, Building from Scratch, or The Startup Learning Curve. Remember, these are just examples, not verified available podcast names. The goal is to generate options, not settle on the first idea that sounds promising. Try to come up with at least 10 to 15 possibilities before narrowing your list. You might be surprised by which ideas stand out once you see them together!
Step 4: Test Your Favorite Names Against Your Audience
Once you have a shortlist, it's time to evaluate your options. This is where the audience research you did before launching your podcast becomes useful. A name that makes perfect sense to you might mean something completely different to someone encountering your show for the first time.
Take your top three to five names and ask a few people who resemble your intended listeners what they think, and DON'T immediately explain the podcast. Instead, ask them what they would expect from a show with that name. Their answers can reveal whether your title communicates the right message.
You can also evaluate each option with a simple checklist:
Can someone pronounce it easily? People should feel comfortable recommending your podcast aloud.
Can someone spell it after hearing it? Complicated spelling can make your show harder to find.
Does it appeal to your target audience? The name should resonate with the people you want listening.
Does it fit your brand? Your podcast should feel connected to its larger purpose.
Will it still make sense in three years? Your name should allow your content to evolve.
Is it distinct from competing shows?A recognizable identity helps listeners find the right podcast.
You don't need unanimous approval. But if several people misunderstand your name or struggle to remember it, it might be time to go back to the drawing board.
Step 5: Think About How Your Podcast Will Appear in Search Results
Podcast discovery doesn't happen in just one place. Potential listeners might find your show through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google, social media, or a recommendation from a friend, and your name needs to work across those environments.
You don’t necessarily have to put your primary keyword in the title, but you do have to think about what someone will see when they encounter your podcast without any additional context. For example, if your show has a highly creative name, pairing it with a descriptive subtitle may help communicate the subject.
Imagine a podcast called The Blueprint. On its own, that could refer to architecture, entrepreneurship, personal development, or several other topics. A subtitle like Conversations About Building a Small Business provides additional context.
You can also communicate your subject through your podcast description, episode titles, website content, and promotional materials. Think of your podcast name as one piece of your overall discoverability strategy, not your entire SEO strategy.
Step 6: Make Sure You Can Actually Use the Name
Before making a final decision, research whether your preferred name is already being used. Start with a search across major podcast directories and search engines. Then check social media platforms and domain availability. Ideally, you'll be able to use a consistent name across the platforms where you plan to promote your show.
You should also consider potential trademark conflicts, particularly if your podcast is connected to a business or intended to become a commercial brand. The United States Patent and Trademark Office provides a trademark search system, but remember that a basic search isn't a substitute for a comprehensive legal review.
Even when a name isn't legally protected, using something nearly identical to an established podcast can create confusion. And if you discover a conflict early, it's much easier to change direction before investing in branding, artwork, and marketing materials.
Step 7: Make Sure the Name Works Beyond Your Podcast App
Your podcast name won't exist only in a Spotify listing. It will appear on YouTube thumbnails, social media graphics, newsletters, merchandise, event materials, and your website. It will also be spoken aloud at the beginning of episodes and when people recommend your show.
Try imagining your name in those situations. Does it look good on cover art? Does it fit naturally into an introduction? Can it work as a social media handle? Does it still make sense if you eventually expand into other types of content?
You don't need to create an entire brand identity before choosing a name, but thinking about those applications can help you avoid problems later. A name that looks clever on paper may be awkward to say aloud. A long title may be difficult to fit on a small podcast cover. Testing those details now can save you headaches down the road.
Step 8: Know When to Stop Brainstorming
There's a point where spending more time on a podcast name stops being productive. You could spend months searching for the perfect combination of words, but eventually you have to make a decision and just start creating content.
If your name is relevant to your audience, fits your brand, is reasonably distinctive, and works across your intended platforms, you're probably ready to move forward. Remember that some of the most recognizable names in media became meaningful because of the content and reputation built around them.
Your podcast name gives people a way to identify your show, but your episodes give them a reason to remember it.
What's Next After Naming Your Podcast?
Once you've chosen a name, you can start building the rest of your podcast's identity. That includes developing cover art, writing your podcast description, planning your first season, and deciding how you'll introduce the show to your audience. This is when it gets real!
This article is part of Wavestream Wednesday, a series from Wavestream Media about building better podcasts with a strategy behind them. Check back next Wednesday for more.
