Names Dropped

Featuring the brave soul who dropped her idea into my inbox for fast, free, unfiltered feedback

Name Drop is by far my most favorite (& most successful) freebie I have ever offered. It's HIGH value, and honestly SO fun for me. But I have to admit, I rarely give FULL BODY approval of a name dropped to me. That's not to say everyone has terrible ideas. It's just that there's a lot more to the art & science of naming than "what sounds good." As the only naming expert in online space bubble, I realize I have a lot more educating to do on the topic...

And sharing the BTS of my Name Drops is one way to do that. (With permission, of course.)

THIS is the only Name Drop I wish I'd come up with myself.

You should know this is when I start sweating... Am I going to have to crush someone's hopes and dreams? Is it going to be an AMAZING name?

How Name Drop Works

Before I reveal the name, I'll give you a little context -- in case you've never Name Dropped before.

Step 1: Start here. The Name Drop landing page. I give you a list of reasons why you should run your idea by me. Really compelling reasons like:

• You used AI (regular ole ChatGPT -- not my work of art, The Name•O•Matic!) and it kept giving you basic, boring, bad alliterative options.

• You're worried about trademark availability and want to know if it's a good name before you spend $$$ on it.

• You want the name to sound bold and original, but you're worried people won't "get it," so you're stuck between boring and try-hard.

• The longer you stare at your options, the worse they all sound.

• You needed a name yesterday, your whole launch is waiting on it, and if you get it wrong you'll probably want to rebrand again in 6 months... (NO PRESSURE!)

Step 2: Fill out the form.

Step 3: Sit on the edge of your seat for 1-2 business days while I gather my thoughts.

The Big Reveal: What Kat Dropped

Now, my challenge for you is to think about this brand "Paper Napkin" BEFORE you read my feedback.

Really think about it. What does it feel like to you? How does it sound? What makes it memorable? What does it make you think of? These are just a few of the things swirling around my head.

What Stood Out To Me

• Unapologetic about dessert.

• Our people want the good stuff first.

• "It's the reason you show up."

• She wants to be the friend who always bring the good stuff."

• Craveable, irreverent, witty, intentional, iconic

Here's my ACTUAL Email

Hey Kat!  The verdict is: I LOVE PAPER NAPKIN.  Backstory, I was at a wedding when I saw your submission come through -- we were waiting on cake and NO ONE could find cake plates. I would have eaten it off a paper napkin if they'd let me. Lol So here are my thoughts: The first thing I love about it is it doesn't immediately scream dessert. That's a major part of its charm. LOTS of dessert businesses use sugar, or sweet in the name (as I'm sure you came across in your trademark search.) Paper Napkin feels intentional because it defies our familiarity bias. BUT at the same time, the noun is familiar. We know what a paper napkin is. What makes it interesting is giving it unexpected, new context. Paper napkins then = disposable, cleaner upper. Paper Napkin now = DESSERTS. (This is what Apple did, btw. Was a fruit, now a tech company.) The familiarity PLUS novelty angle makes it sticky. PUN INTENDED. On another nerdy note, Paper Napkin has a lot of plosive sounds (P's, K) which make it punchy and percussive. People love that. It's fun to say!  Conceptually, Paper Napkin is so fun because it says "this dessert will be devoured so fast-- why dirty a plate." It feels fun and messy and like a no-guilt indulgence. "Lemme get a little more -- just hand me a napkin."  Another angle conceptually, if you're thinking in terms of an "umbrella" brand -- paper napkins seem to be the perfect thing to always have around. It's the thing you stash away in your car or purse "just in case." Where you scribble a million-dollar idea or your number to give a cute waiter. It's what you grab when you laugh or sneeze and powdered sugar POOFS all over you. Paper napkins have WAY more value than we give them credit for. And you could position your desserts, pop-ups, the SAME way. Like they're just the thing to have around. For fun. For utility. Desserts on a bad day? yes. Desserts on a good day? yes. When you think about it, there's really no reason to turn down a Paper Napkin. ;)  The name works perfectly on so many levels and I wish I came up with it! LOL I think the only thing that could make it better (and nail the irreverence you're after) is to pair it with the perfect tagline that subtly clarifies the name.  Hope this helps, Kat! Btw - I'd love to feature this Name Drop submission on my blog. Would that be okay with you?

^ As you can see, I had an agenda. Haha I love this name so much. I wanted to feature it instantly.

Kat's Response

And LESS THAN 2 WEEKS Later...

Kat used the Cha-Ching Machine to help her write her coming soon/landing page.

So all this to say, the right name gives you wings.

Ready to Name Drop something? Or want to skip that step and have me name for you?