Naming in an AI Age
by The NameStormers
Latest episode
How to Avoid “Name Slop”: Why AI-Generated Names Fail & What to Do…
How to Avoid “Name Slop”: Why AI-Generated Names Fail & What to Do…
About this podcast
Join members of the NameStormers team as they explore the nuances of the creative nature of name generation, the mechanics behind trademark screening, and the importance of consumer research, with various guests featured along the way!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 92 episodes
- How to Avoid “Name Slop”: Why AI-Generated Names Fail & What to Do About It · 4 min · Season 4 Episode 1"Name slop" warns that AI spits out polished but interchangeable names—repeating familiar patterns and suffixes—which hurts memorability, trust, and raises legal/rebrand risk…
- Why Getting a Trademark Registration Is So Much Harder · 3 min · Season 3 Episode 27In this episode of Naming in the AI Age, Ashley Elliott explains why trademarking a name has become increasingly challenging. Global trademark filings have nearly doubled over…
- DuPont & Polaroid Factors: Infringement and Likelihood of Confusion · 8 min · Season 3 Episode 26Naming a brand requires both creative thinking and an understanding of how trademark examiners and courts evaluate potential conflicts, using frameworks like the USPTO’s DuPont…
- How to Avoid Getting Sued · 13 min · Season 3 Episode 25In this episode of Naming in the AI Age, Mike Carr and Ashley Elliott discuss how to reduce legal risk in brand naming, using the Smucker’s vs. Trader Joe’s case as an example…
- How to Read a USPTO Trademark Regestration · 4 min · Season 3 Episode 24In this episode of Naming in the AI Age, Ashley Elliott explains how to read a USPTO trademark record using Nike as an example. She clarifies that multiple “Nike” entries…
- How To Use Your Trademark Correctly · 4 min · Season 3 Episode 23Using your trademark properly is just as important as registering it. Misuse can weaken protection and even make a mark generic. Trademarks should act as adjectives, not nouns or…
- Trademark Law and Naming Strategy: Why Distinctive Names Matter · 7 min · Season 3 Episode 22The spectrum of distinctiveness explains why some brand names are stronger than others in trademark protection and branding. Generic terms like “milk” or “bread” can never be…
- Trademark: What’s the difference between a Knockout Search and a Clearance Search? · 4 min · Season 3 Episode 21When naming a business, product, or service, start with a knockout search—a quick, early check to rule out obvious conflicts and overused patterns while shaping creative…
- Trademark and Copyright Symbols When to use TM, Ⓡ , and © · 4 min · Season 3 Episode 20This episode explains the difference between trademarks and copyright. The TM symbol signals a claim on a name or logo but offers no legal protection, while the Ⓡ symbol is for…
- Understanding Trademark Classes · 4 min · Season 3 Episode 19In this episode of Naming in the AI Age, Ashley Elliott explains trademark classes and why they matter. Trademarks are divided into 45 classes of goods and services, meaning the…
- Is a USPTO Search Good Enough? · 3 min · Season 3 Episode 18A USPTO search is a good first step, but it doesn’t guarantee brand protection. The federal database only covers federally filed trademarks, leaving out state registers, the…
- USPTO Trademark Search Pros, Cons, and Watch-outs · 3 min · Season 3 Episode 17Before picking a business or brand name, check the USPTO’s TESS database to see if it's already federally trademarked. The basic search finds exact matches, while the expert…
- Non-Alcoholic Beverage Names That Actually Work! · 6 min · Season 3 Episode 16In this episode of Naming in the AI Age, Ashley Elliott unpacks how non-alcoholic beverage brands use naming to stand out in a vibe-driven market. She outlines four naming…
- Naming: When You Need a Detailed Creative Brief · 6 min · Season 3 Episode 15In this episode, Mike Carr highlights the importance of a detailed creative brief for high-stakes naming projects, especially for global or brand-focused clients. Unlike simpler…
- Creative Briefs & Their Role in Name Development · 2 min · Season 3 Episode 14In this episode of Naming in an AI Age, Mike Carr explores the role of the creative brief in naming. While briefs can seem unnecessary—especially for niche or local…
- AI Naming: The Right Way to Use AI for Brand and Product Names · 14 min · Season 3 Episode 13In this episode of Naming in the AI Age, Mike Carr explains how AI can enhance naming when used strategically. He warns against basic prompts and generic testing, noting that AI…
- The Naming Experts: Over 30 Years of Brand-Building Success · 8 min · Season 3 Episode 12On this throwback episode, NameStormers co-founder Mike Carr revisits a 1990s CNN spot to show that naming basics haven’t changed: set clear, business-specific goals; back…
- Branding & Naming Guidelines: 10 Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them · 16 min · Season 3 Episode 11In this episode, Mike Carr highlights the top ten mistakes companies make with branding and naming guidelines. He explains how long, rigid documents often go unused and how…
- 40 Years of Naming: What I Learned Building a Creative Naming Agency · 17 min · Season 3 Episode 10In this episode of Naming in the AI Age, NameStormers CEO & Cofounder Mike Carr explains that while AI can enhance naming tasks, it can't replace the strategic thinking and…
- Naming Hacks for Success in the AI Age · 12 min · Season 3 Episode 9In this episode of Naming in an AI Age, Mike Carr shares 10 essential naming hacks to improve the success of any naming project. He emphasizes starting with the right mindset by…
