Looking to start a new website, but not sure what domain name you should choose?
In this post we’ll be going through 21 ways to come up with a website name – even if you have no idea what to name your website.
Let’s get started.
21 domain name ideas (infographic version)
Before you start reading the article, save this infographic for later. It’s a great prompt to kickstart your creativity.
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21 domain name suggestions to help you come up with the perfect website name
1. Your niche/keyword with a place or destination
A simple and easy way to create a domain name is take your niche/keyword and add a place or destination with it. You’re now giving the impression your website has a tangible location.
E.g. niche + place = fishingpalace.com (Fishing Palace)
A great example is Tone Island, a music website dedicated to exploring guitar related gear. This keyword is then added to the place of an ‘island.’ A simple but effective domain name.
This idea works well with all niches, especially those known to be based in a location. A great example are food and cooking blogs with the use of words such as kitchen, diner, and pantry etc.
2. Consider using a personal pronoun or noun to make it personal
Imagine scrolling through Google search results and coming across a result which has the domain name “Your Personal Yoga Trainer,” doesn’t it feel as though it’s your personal trainer?
Pick a domain name that uses a personal pronoun such as I, Me, Your, Our etc., as it can have a powerful impact on shaping the first impression a visitor has about your website before they’ve checked you out.
E.g. pronoun + niche = yourfishinghut.com (Your Fishing Hut)
Your Creative Aura uses this domain name idea, and it sounds personal, as though it’s tailored towards every reader who visits the website. It’s a great way to make each visitor feel important, as it symbolizes your main goal is to help them in whatever niche you’re covering.
It’s also an easy addition to make if you find out your domain idea has been taken. Can’t purchase sweetshop.com? Try yoursweetshop.com, or oursweetshop.com.
3. Use an emotive word with your niche/keyword
Humans are driven by emotions, therefore consider choosing a domain name that involves an emotive word. An emotive word adds an extra dimension of personalisation to your domain name, as it connects the visitor with who you are or what your website is about.
E.g. emotive word + niche = thepassionatefisherman.com (The Passionate Fisherman)
The Passionate Photographer uses an emotive word in the domain name. It also describes the owner, and the tagline “obsessed with all things photographic” portrays the passionate part perfectly.
You can implement this idea into any niche easily such as:
- The Inspired Writer for an author or storywriter website
- Blazing Beats for a music-style website
- Remarkable Technology for a technology website
4. Use a portmanteau using your niche/keyword and an additional relevant word
A portmanteau is the blending between two words to create a brand new word. Portmanteau are very common, and are used in websites as well as everyday situations, such as: sitcom (situation and comedy) and motel (motor and hotel).
Portmanteau are even used to create names such as Bulbasaur (Bulb and dinosaur) from the anime Pokémon.
E.g. niche + word = fishackle.com (Fishing & Tackle)
Pinterest is an example of a portmanteau, as it combines ‘pin’ and ‘interest’ into one word, also it defines what the website is about, pinning your interests onto a pinboard.
Using a portmanteau can make your website stand out, especially if you’re blending two words related to your niche. For example, for a beauty blog you could blend words like: foxy and eyeliner to result in ‘foxyliner’ or ‘eyelinoxy,’ or you could try beautician and mascara to result in ‘beautiscara’ or ‘mascutician.’
5. Play around with adjectives and descriptive words
Similar to using an emotive word, you can also use an adjective or a descriptive word tied in with your niche/keyword for your domain.
This works especially well with words ‘the’ and ‘an/a,’ if you struggle to find the domain name available.
E.g. adjective + niche = smartfisherman.com (Smart Fisherman)
The Smart Designer is an example of a domain name that uses an adjective. Their goal is to provide software solutions for interior design firms, in an easy, efficient and customizable fashion.
Common adjectives used in domain names are: easy, real, super and better, as these words can easily be placed in a domain name if yours is already taken.
You can apply them to any niche such as a technology website: easytechnology, realtechnology, supertechnology – without impacting or changing the purpose behind the website.
6. Never underestimate the power of an authoritative word
Portraying yourself as an expert in your niche is never always easy, even if you have an excellent level of knowledge.
One domain name idea is to include an authoritative word in it, such as Colonel, Captain, Officer etc, this way you add an extra element of authoritativeness to your website.
E.g. authority + niche = captainfisherman.com (Captain Fisherman)
Our very own Blogging Wizard uses this idea in its domain. We specialize in all aspects of blogging to a wizardry level of expertise.
Adding an authoritative word is easy for any website, especially if it’s an authoritative word related to your niche. For example, if your website revolves around education, words such as professor, teacher, instructor, tutor and principal work well in this niche.
7. Focus on the type of your website you’ll be crafting (e.g. news/magazine/educate etc.)
Not every website’s purpose is the same, some might be to showcase their work, some might be to provide information for others, whilst some sole purpose might be to connect people.
What type of website are you planning on crafting? What is the sole purpose of the website? Use this word and your niche/keyword to craft your domain name.
E.g. niche + type = thefishermansalbum.com (The Fishermans Album – a website dedicated to showcasing imagery of fishing)
An example of this is LiveScience.com, a website for the science geeks about the world of science that is trending or currently happening right now. The word ‘live’ demonstrates the type of content, as it is recent and up to date.
8. Add a transformation verb to your niche/keyword
Adding a transformation word into your domain name is a great suggestion if you find your original idea taken.
A transformation verb is an action involved with the alteration or change in one’s state. Examples of transformation verbs are: improve, renew, rapid and thrive.
E.g. verb + niche = rapidfishing.com (Rapid Fishing)
This domain name idea is perfect if the purpose of your website is to help or better the lives or situation of others.
An example of a transformation verb is BecomingMinimalist, who pursues to help and inspire others to lead a minimalist life and not heavily relying on possessions to make themselves feel happy and fulfilled.
9. Words that will inspire and motivate
Sometimes we need to find a way to pick ourselves up, and carry on. This is where an inspirational or motivational word can help make your website feel like it’s already helping others before they’ve even clicked on the link.
Words such as: ambition, believe and courage are great words to add to your niche/keyword.
E.g. Inspire + noun = joyfulfishing.com (Joyful Fishing)
Hopeful Living uses an inspirational word in the domain name, and it also ties in with their mission statement: “empowering YOU to gain clarity, discover dreams, build confidence and overcome fear.”
10. Your niche/keyword with an animal or imaginary creature
Release your inner beast, and imagine your website as an animal. What would it be? Using an animal, whether it’s real or imaginary is a great way to create an interesting domain name.
Also, with the added bonus of inspiration for a mascot, or logo.
E.g. niche + animal = fishingmonster.com (Fishing Monster)
Office Monster uses an animal not only in their domain name, but also in their brand identity.
Their tagline of “your office partner” tied in with their mascot of a little purple monster, makes the experience of visiting their website more fun and enjoyable.
You can add an animal into a domain name for any niche, as long as it’s one not to be taken too seriously. If your website is about a negative topic such as the damaging effects of pollution and toxic waste, having your domain name as ‘puppygarbage’ may not have the right impact, unless in the use of satire.