Adjective Noun Software
September 14th, 2006In my last post, I talked about the series of events that have led to my running my own company. But getting there is only half the battle. Once you’ve decided to venture out on your own, you have to come up with a name for yourself.
Alex Repty recently observed that a large number of Mac software companies are named using the formula “Adjective Noun.” I think it’s probably a trend that transcends the Mac community, but I can’t help but agree there are lots of us around. Red Shed, Toxic Software, Martian Technology, Rogue Amoeba, Delicious Monster, and Flying Meat all come to mind within a few moments of pondering. Others come close but diverge just barely from the pattern. Foggy Creek Software?
So what is the ambitious new business-person to do? Need some help figuring out what to call your stunning new venture? Allow me to lend a hand…
Adjective Noun Software
Now that you’ve got motivation and a name, all that’s left is the work. Get moving!
September 14th, 2006 at 11:25 am
This is awesome. Even more so the suggestions it gives: Dirty Clinic Software, hehe.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Melting Horse is definitely a winner.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:30 am
Infected Helicopter, LLC has that certain something…
September 14th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Oh oh oh: Magnanimous Rabbit Software
September 14th, 2006 at 11:40 am
The very “Letterman-esque” “Automated Pants” would make a catchy name.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:45 am
“Deadly Sweater” must be Red Sweater’s evil twin software company.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:46 am
Narcissistic Sphincter?
September 14th, 2006 at 11:49 am
Carnivorous Beach, LLC.
I’m sold.
September 14th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
You know, I noticed this a while back (when Delicious Monster opened actually), and Quentin and I were discussing it last month. I don’t recall trying for this at all with our own name, though we did come up with Rogue Butterfly (a rather obscure Simpsons reference) before switching our noun to Amoeba. Looking back, there’s Yellow Dog, Red Hat, and others.
It’s an interesting an bizarre trend, but one that perhaps makes sense when so many simple names are already in use.
You missed one you should have thought of, and it’s my favorite from the trend: Atomic Bird
Also, Toxic Software doesn’t really seem to fit – Id just think of them as “Toxic”. Software is pretty generic, as opposed to Amoeba, Monster, or Meat.
September 14th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Atomic Bird was definitely in my mind when I was first thinking about this, but managed to escape while I was jotting down the post! Thanks for mentioning it.
September 14th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Cranky Diaper, LLC…If only I had this valuable tool when forming Kaboomerang years ago ;-)
September 14th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Magnetic Pants
September 14th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
Marginal Technology!
This is great fun.
September 14th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
Uh oh. Doomed Software? I think I’ll take a pass on that one.
September 14th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
Dirty Software? Oi vey.
September 14th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Fantastic Pants, Inc.
Love it.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:08 am
Yes, I’ve also noted this when I was thinking about a name for my Mac software business. I think I know the reason for this. All one-word domain names are taken ;-), unless you mind making a word up. It took me several weeks to think of a good name and which also has a domain name available.
My selection at the end was Apparent Software which is “Adjective software”, without the noun part (I don’t count “software” word).
The first app (Image Framer) is to be released in a few days by the way.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:30 am
Illiterate Soup, Inc.
How wonderful that is.
This noun + adjective realization reminds me of the obnoxious ’90s band name formula: Noun + number.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
The first two it threw out there:
Deadly Hamburger Software
Disgusting Metabolisim Software
I’m half tempted to write a recipe app.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
Those are all really frightfully plausible names it comes up with! Brillig!
September 21st, 2006 at 6:38 am
Poetic Towel Software.
I thought of it first!! (well not really, but i thought it was cool first)
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:24 pm
“Image Framer” makes me suspicious that the adjective+noun pattern in company names might become a noun+verb pattern for the products (or services) those companies produce.
Can anyone suggest other examples of the existence of this product naming pattern?
October 23rd, 2006 at 12:10 pm
If I ever wanted to run a web-based porn company, I’ve got the name already:
Delicious Sphincter, LLC
Ick.
January 8th, 2007 at 4:42 am
Benevolent Diaper. This made me laugh out loud. I also liked Comical Lunch Industries.
February 19th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
I think you need to hold a competition. Choose a company name and submit an illustration or logo for it, in the flavor of Steven Frank’s Spamusement.
February 21st, 2007 at 9:52 am
Thanks! :) We’re now friendlystapler.com ;)
February 21st, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Joachim: Haha! I quite like it. It has a great visual quality and I can’t wait to see a logo for it someday :) I imagine a stapler smiling and bowing with respect.
April 19th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Some of these are morbid. I’m looking for a name for a business i’m looking to start. It’s a handmade invitation and card business which in time I would like to expand to party planning, including favor making, etc. Anyone have any suggestions that are a little bit more upbeat then these choices? Any help would be appreciated?