Naming a blog?

[Keith]

I'm thinking of starting a blog as a general collection point for ideas, thoughts and observations I find interesting and want to share with people.

This isn't particularly intended to be a fundraising venture, more of a personal soapbox (though I wouldn't be unhappy to become a blogging billionaire ).

Does anyone have any tips for coming up with a good name for a blog? I'd prefer not to use my own name as the title in case I want to discuss things that are a bit controversial.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[1000feet]

This is a hard decisions - I had to come up with a few domains that were already taken before I got my name. I think the best thing to do is focus on the central themes (one concept that brings everything together if possible) and think of related words and concepts - taking some common saying and changing it can give you a good name, although I've seen some very bad ones come from this. Just remember that if you think the name is funny, you have to expect some people to think it's 10% as funny as you think.

[Calisto]

"I'm thinking of starting a blog as a general collection point for ideas, thoughts and observations I find interesting and want to share with people."

'The (something) Files'.
'One Man's Thoughts & Ideas'

[1000feet]

Calisto - those are good generic names, but in almost every case it's possible to come up with something more specific and find a good phrase related to it. There's probably a few subjects (possibly related to each other) that will come up again and again. Of course mentioning them in the name might make posts on other ideas seem outside the scope of the blog, but if it really has no purpose other than day-to-day observations on everything then "Keith's Thoughts" is a great name.

[Calisto]

1000feet,

I agree but that was the best I could come up with at short notice. lol

I'm a bit of a show off so I'm going to share my blog file name with you. It's just a blog and just a pastime nothing special.

1) The Rose Files
2) The Ramblings Of A Rose
(Words of wisdom or just word salad?)

(real name Rose)

Lol!

[Keith]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I think perhaps I'll prepare a number of blog articles and see if a collective theme emerges that might suggest a name.

Mind you, I might work on not being screwed up first.

We'll see...

[ken nubo]

You can name the blog after your own name, or if it's some type of niche, you can always name it "____ made easy" for branding purposes.

[Keith]

I considered "The Third Path" based on the premise that my focus will be finding alternative angles on (mostly PD) things (based on my one draft article ), but unfortunately there's already a blog called that, and "Third Way" carries political meanings that I'm not

So I'm now considering "Direction Three". Does anyone have any thoughts on that name or alternative suggestions?

Thanks.

[EDIT] I'm also thinking maybe "Go up!" indicating both personal growth, and the "third path" idea - ie. if both forward and back look crap, then go up. It also captures that whole "a problem cannot be solve at the same level at which it was created" thing - you need to get a higher perspective on it.

[1000feet]

I don't know if it means anything to you, but I would think of "door number 3".

[Pegasus]

I like "door number 3." Other ideas:

- NoDichotomy (okay, that could end up as a potential spelling nightmare for visitors to the site)
- ThirdOption
- Take3
- AnotherWay
- Next Level
- Filtered Light
- TryAngle

Who is your target audience? Figuring out your target audience can help you narrow it down.

[Pegasus]

Just thought of one more name, then I'll leave you alone.

• Vertical Alignment

[Ali from The Office Diet]

Perhaps think about the purpose behind your blog and choose a name accordingly?

Are you trying to create a specific "brand"? Some sites (Amazon, Bebo, Google etc) do well with a name that's got little to do with their product. Others (Facebook, Friend Reunited) use a name that relates more directly to the content. And some people recommend picking a URL which contains keywords.

There was a good article on this over at ProBlogger a couple of days ago -- How to Choose a Domain Name - Brandable Domains vs Keyword Rich Domains

When I named mine, I went with "The Office Diet" -- it's brandable (there's nothing out there with the same name) but it also contains keywords which, according to Google, get fairly well searched on.

Good luck!

Ali

[Keith]

Thanks again, all. I think I've fallen into the "Analysis Paralysis" trap. I'll pick something and get started. It's not like I can't change blog names later (or create a spinoff blog) if I want to...

[1000feet]

If you want a clever name you could think of anything referring to a situation where someone rejects the choices given to them and does their own thing; it doesn't have to be limited to two choices.