A good podcast name makes sense when you hear it, sticks after hearing it once, can be typed without spelling it out, and says something about the show’s topic or tone. It doesn’t have to be perfect or explain everything: it has to be yours and it has to be available. This seven-step process takes you from a blank page to a name you’ll be comfortable with for years.
Step 1: get clear on what you want to communicate
Before you start inventing names, write one sentence covering:
- What your podcast is about.
- Who it’s for.
- What feeling you want to convey: warmth, humor, authority, curiosity, calm.
For example: “A personal finance podcast for young people who are just starting their first jobs, with a relaxed tone and no jargon.” That sentence will be your filter for ruling out options.
Step 2: choose the type of name
There are three families, each with its own advantages:
| Type | Example structure | Advantage | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descriptive | “Finance for Beginners” | Easy to understand and to find in search | Can sound generic |
| Creative | An evocative word or expression | Memorable and different | Needs a tagline to explain it |
| Personal | Your name or nickname + topic | Leverages your personal brand | Depends on people knowing you |
A very popular formula is creative name + descriptive tagline: the name brings personality and the tagline helps people find you. For example, “The Piggy Bank: personal finance without the jargon.”
Step 3: generate lots of ideas
Don’t settle for the first one. For 20 minutes, write without filtering:
- Words related to your topic (nouns, verbs, objects).
- Expressions and sayings from your country or region.
- Simple wordplay.
- Images or metaphors: what object is your show like? A table, a long dinner conversation, a booth, a window.
- Two-word combinations from the lists above.
Aim for at least 30 options. The good ones usually show up after number 15.
Step 4: filter with clear criteria
Run each option through these questions and cross them out without guilt:
- Does it make sense when spoken? Say it to someone without showing them how it’s spelled and ask them to write it down.
- Is it short? Ideally one to four words.
- Is it easy to pronounce in your language and your audience’s?
- Does it fit your sentence from Step 1?
- Will you still like it in two years? Avoid fads and inside jokes that expire.
Step 5: check that it’s available
Search for the name on:
- The major podcast apps.
- The social networks where you want to be (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X).
- A web search engine, in quotation marks.
- Domain availability, if you want a website.
If there’s already a podcast with the same name in your language, change it. Besides confusing your audience, it could cause trademark issues. If you have questions about registering a trademark, talk to an intellectual property professional in your country.
Step 6: test it with real people
Pick your top three and ask five to ten people from your target audience:
- What do you think this podcast is about?
- Which one would you listen to?
- Which one do you remember after five minutes?
The last question is the most revealing: the name people remember effortlessly is usually the winner.
Step 7: decide and build around it
Once you’ve chosen it, lock down the social media handles and the domain if you want one, and start building your identity: logo, colors, intro music. We help you with that in how to design your podcast logo.
Common mistakes
- Putting the word “podcast” in the name. People already know it’s a podcast; it takes up space.
- Names that are too long and get cut off in apps.
- Numbers or odd symbols nobody knows how to type after hearing them.
- Copying a famous podcast’s style. You’ll end up in its shadow.
- Falling in love with a pun only you understand.
A quick exercise to get unstuck
If you’re still out of ideas, complete these sentences with the first word that comes to mind: “My podcast is like a ___,” “My listeners walk away feeling ___,” “The place where I picture this conversation is ___.” The answers often hide powerful images for a name.
Your name lives on your set too
If your show has video or is recorded in a studio, the name will appear on screen: on the backdrop, on the set’s TV, in the clips you share. In remocast, you can create your channel with its name, bio, and logo, and bring it into your 3D studio. Create your studio for free and see how your name looks on the set.
If you haven’t defined the rest of the show yet, go back to how to start a podcast from scratch.
And if, after the whole process, you’re torn between two finalists, go with the one you’re most excited to say out loud at the start of every episode. You’ll be repeating it hundreds of times; you need to like it before anyone else does.
Frequently asked questions
Is a descriptive name or a creative one better?
It depends on your strategy. A descriptive name helps people find you in search; a creative one is more memorable. Pairing a creative name with a descriptive tagline gives you the best of both.
Can I change my podcast’s name later?
Yes, but it comes at a cost: your audience has to recognize you all over again. If you’re going to change it, do it early and announce it several times in your episodes and on social media.
Should I use my own name?
If you already have an audience or your podcast revolves around you, it can work. If you want the show to be able to grow with more hosts, a name independent of you is a better choice.