How to name your company or product

When you’re thinking of a name for a new product or a company, what is the process you go through? It can be a tough process, and there are many ways to go.

• There’s the combo-word approach, where you take two descriptive words and cram them together to make a new one. Examples: Nabsico, Conoco, Carfax.
• There’s the regular-word-word-that-sounds-cool approach, in which you use an otherwise mundane word, preferably with one or two syllables. Examples: Ford Focus, Apple, Intel.
• There’s the historical/literal allusion approach, in which you name your product after a Greek, Latin or Biblical reference. Examples: Nike, Raytheon, Samsonite.
• Of course, you can always name your company after the founder.
• Or, you can take the simple, straightforward approach, like these guys.