How do I name my startup so it's not already taken, is available as a .com or .in, and doesn't get lost on Google?
The short answer
Pick a name you can actually own: check trademark availability, domain, and whether you rank on your own name before you fall in love with it. A slightly odd invented word you can dominate in search beats a clean generic word ten other companies also use. In India, secure both the .com and .in early, and do a quick MCA company-name and trademark search so you don't rebrand at Series A.
Go deeper, your way
3 hand-picked resources, 2 link-checked. Pick how you want to dig in.
📄 Article
✓ Link checkedFreeBeginner
Why we picked it
Most naming advice stops at brainstorming, this one is a plain five step sequence for actually checking whether a name is free: trademark database, domain, a Google search for who already ranks, and social handles. It is honest that a name can be legally clear and still be a bad idea if search results are dominated by a bigger brand, which is the trap founders miss. Treat it as a starting checklist, not legal advice.
Why we picked it
This is the official government register, so if you are building in India this is where you confirm a name is not already trademarked in your class before you spend on a logo or filing. It offers wordmark, phonetic, and Vienna code search, and phonetic matters because a name that merely sounds like an existing mark can still block you. A clear search here is a real starting point, not a guarantee, so pair it with an IP lawyer before you file.
Why we picked it
Before you get attached to a name, you want one screen that tells you if the handle is free everywhere at once. Namechk checks a name against 100+ social platforms and dozens of domain extensions in a single search, so you catch a clash on Instagram or TikTok in seconds instead of finding out after you have printed the cards. Treat it as a fast first sweep, not a legal clearance.
