How to Name Your Podcast: 4 Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Show Name
Naming your podcast should be simple, right? Can't you just use your name like many others do? But then again, maybe you want something more original, something that's catchy that will stand out.
The truth is, naming a podcast doesn't have to be difficult, but it does deserve thoughtful attention. Your podcast name has major implications on your show – it's likely the first thing your audience will recall when they hear or think about your show.
Picking the right name isn't just about crafting the right words. It can also impact the discoverability of your show. After all, your brand will likely be built around your podcast title.
Let's dive into four essential tips to keep in mind when selecting and naming your podcast.
1. Be Clear and Descriptive
You want your podcast name to be clear and descriptive so listeners can easily tell what your show's about. Your podcast name should reflect the content of your show with as little ambiguity as possible.
That doesn't mean you can't be clever with your title, but ideally your name should relate to your content.
Here's how to get started:
Begin by writing down words that describe your podcast or the type of content you'll be covering. What adjectives might you use to describe your podcast to others? Try a brainstorm or word association to see what ideas come to mind.
If only basic descriptors come to mind, consider using a thesaurus to expand your vocabulary and spark new ideas.
Ultimately, you want your podcast name to be easy to spell and pronounce, but also memorable for your listeners.
2. Be Concise (The 4-Word Rule)
Having a concise title is important. Here's why:
When you launch your podcast, you'll likely want a domain, website, and social media handles for your show. A long name means long URLs or social handles that make it hard for listeners to find you online.
If you plan to create an email using your domain, a long name can lead to email addresses that are hard to remember or type.
The name will also be used for branding around your podcast, including your website, visual branding, and show artwork. A long name creates challenges, especially for podcast artwork and how it appears in thumbnails and directories.
These thumbnails often appear small, especially on mobile. You want your show name to be as large as possible on your artwork without feeling cramped.
For this reason, I suggest keeping your show name to four words or less.
Pro tip: In most cases, you don't need to add the word "podcast" to your show title. It's already implied and not necessary in most cases.
3. Be Unique
Pick a name that's not taken by another show and is memorable for your listeners. This may seem impossible, but it's not. It might require more work to find a unique title.
Having a unique title also prevents listener confusion if there's another show with the same name.
Here's how to check if your name is available:
Check the availability of the name, URL, and social handles. See if the domain for your podcast is available using a tool like hover.com or godaddy.com.
Ideally, your podcast name, website URL, and social handles should all match, or at least be very similar. Before settling on a name, research to see what domain and social handles are available.
If the title isn't taken but the domain and social handles are, consider adding "pod" or "podcast" to the end of your domain and social handles. Just remember how long this makes your domain URL.
You can also search your podcast name in Google with the word "podcast" to see if other podcasts have your desired name. If you find a podcast with that name, I suggest moving on. If you're set on that name, try variations or check if the show is still active.
4. Be Discoverable
Being discoverable is how new listeners will find your show. You may already have a large audience or email list to leverage, which is great.
But considering that over 40% of listeners report that they find new shows by searching directly on their preferred listening platform, we need to take this into account.
One strategy that can help you stand out in podcast directories is incorporating a popular keyword into your title. That said, don't feel like you have to stuff a keyword into your show title.
With your ideal listener in mind, ask yourself: what might they search for in their podcast app if looking for a new show on your topic?
If there's a popular keyword related to your topic, consider adding it to your show name.
Quick keyword research trick: One way to gauge keyword popularity is by searching the term or topic in Google. The suggested searches and "people also ask" feature can give you insights into how popular that keyword may be.
The Bottom Line
Naming your podcast is a big deal. It's the essence of your brand, the first thing listeners will recall, and can significantly impact your show's discovery.
Choose a name you're proud of, and it's a bonus if it incorporates a keyword with high search volume.
If you're still struggling to find the ideal podcast name, don't worry. Sometimes the best ideas come when you least expect them. Take a breather, go for a walk, clear your mind, and let inspiration come to you.
Trust that the perfect name will reveal itself in time.
Whether you're creating informative, entertaining, or thought-provoking content, these naming strategies will help you build a captivating show that keeps your audience coming back for more.
Ready to dive deeper into podcast naming strategies? Download our free Podcast Naming Worksheet with brainstorming templates and step-by-step checklists at podcastprimer.com/workbook. This comprehensive workbook will walk you through the entire naming process and help you choose a name that grows your show.
