Your YouTube channel name is essentially the first impression people have. The title that grabs the attention can be the make-or-break between someone clicking on your video or simply scrolling by. It establishes your brand, shows you’re legitimate, and is an important factor in discoverability. When your name is combined with your content, people are more inclined to subscribe since they know what they’re getting themselves into.
I recall when I first began creating videos, I chose a name that was far too long and somewhat awkward, and it sort of held me back until I eventually changed it.
Defining Brand Identity
Your channel name must say what you are about. Are you educating, entertaining, or giving lifestyle advice? Picking your niche and deciding on a name that fits makes your channel unique. I always advise friends to ensure their Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok handles are identical to their YouTube name if possible. It makes you appear more professional and people find it easy to recognize you everywhere.
SEO and Discoverability
Being search-friendly is actually very important if you’re trying to expand on YouTube. As much as it’s great to have a distinctive name, it would be great to have a keyword sometimes so that you’re more searchable. If you do phone reviews, for example, it would be great to have something like “Tech” in your name. Just don’t overdo it with the words. Believe me, I once did something similar, and all I managed to do was confuse my viewers.
Simplicity and Memorability
Catchy, short names remain in one’s memory. If your name is lengthy or difficult, nobody will recall it, and they will not return to your channel. I have come across a channel name which was so lengthy, I could not even spell it correctly in one go. A name like “TechBoost” is easier to remember than a name like “AllTheTechReviewsForYouEveryTuesday.”
Uniqueness and Originality
Steer clear of those clichés such as “Vlogs” or “TV” since they will make your channel one among the crowd. Do a quick search so as not to copy someone else’s name on YouTube or social media. I’ve had to rename a friend entirely since someone else had already taken that username. It was not pleasant.
Reflecting Content Niche
If your channel title tells you what you’re doing, new viewers have a better idea of what you’re providing. If you have a fitness channel, for example, a title such as “FitForge” says it all versus a title such as “John’s Videos.” Simply consider words that are related to your subject and determine which combinations work.
Use of Personal Names or Aliases
If you’re creating a personal brand, your actual name may be the most suitable. However, if your name is difficult to spell or extremely common, you may have to modify it. One of the creators I coached merged his name with his niche and came up with something along the lines of “JakeCooks,” which was both personal and descriptive.
Cultural and Linguistic Considerations
If you are looking for a foreign audience, ensure that your channel name isn’t difficult to pronounce and also doesn’t carry a strange meaning in a different language. I once found that my friend’s channel name had a silly meaning abroad, and we both enjoyed a laugh before he rebranded it.
Brainstorming Techniques
Word association can be magic. Just get out a piece of paper and list words associated with your topic, then jumble them up and see what emerges. Mind mapping is another handy trick: begin with your main theme and radiate outward with associative thoughts. There are name generators online if you’re at a loss, but I would suggest modifying those suggestions to suit you.
And don’t hesitate to ask your family or your friends what they think. They’ll sometimes produce something that you never would have thought of.
Availability of Domain and Social Media
Before you decide on a name, do a quick check to see if social media handles and the domain are available. It makes you so much easier to find when all of your branding is the same on everything you have. It’s such a bummer to pick an amazing name and then realize someone has been using it on Instagram for years. You might also want to learn how to change your YouTube channel to refresh yourself if you’re rebranding completely.
Testing and Feedback
Once you have it narrowed down to some of your top choices, toss them up against your friends or even potential viewers. Ask them what they like best and if it’s something easily typable or memorable. I’ve had individuals rename their channel because their viewers would continually be misspelling it.
FAQs
Should I use numbers or symbols in my channel’s name?
Try to steer clear of them unless they’re absolutely vital to your brand. They can make your name harder to remember or spell.
Can I change my YouTube channel name in the future?
You can, but if you already have subscribers, they will be slightly confused. Rebranding is dangerous.
How long should my channel name be?
Make it less than 20 characters, if you can. Short names are more memorable.
