Naming in an AI Age

Mike Carr interviews millennial NameStormers Megan and Ashley about naming in the AI era. They emphasize millennials' insight into current culture and social engagement with challenges involving educating on outdated trends. Insights include context's importance, AI's supportive role, and the joy of client satisfaction. They affirm that while AI aids, human creativity remains vital in naming.

In this episode, Mike Carr stresses using AI as a coach, not a replacement—like how real coaches build skills through practice. Citing MIT economist Sinan Aral’s idea of AI as "a bicycle for the mind," Carr shares research showing that AI helped low-performing call center workers improve, with lasting effects even after AI was removed. He applies this to naming, arguing AI should guide users to observe real reactions, not just guess. Success in naming comes from response, not opinion. Used this way, AI sharpens instincts, boosts creativity, and enhances decision-making.

Mike Carr discusses the evolution of name generators since his involvement in co-developing Namer in 1986. While noting current AI Name Generators’ proficiency in producing fitting names, Carr highlights concerns about the abundance of good but not distinctive names, creating a "sea of sameness." He emphasizes the crucial need for strategic alignment, warns against legal risks stemming from algorithm-generated similarities, and advocates for understanding target audience resonance. Stressing a long-term perspective, Carr advises thorough linguistic, cultural, and legal checks, along with audience testing, for a successful naming strategy, cautioning against relying solely on quick AI-generated solutions.

Mike Carr addresses the contemporary significance of personal brand names and styles, advocating for a purposeful and authentic approach. Emphasizing the impact of personal branding on diverse situations, Carr introduces five brand personalities—sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication, and ruggedness. He stresses the importance of aligning with a primary brand personality while suggesting the use of different names or brands in specific scenarios to prevent dilution, exemplified by Jessica Alba's "Honest" brand. Overall, Carr encourages individuals to choose a resonant brand personality and remain open to adapting when exploring new areas to maintain authenticity and integrity.

At NameStormers, we do our best to ensure that every name we give clients is available for trademark purposes. Join Mike and Adelaide as they discuss the difficulties of finding the "perfect name" as trademark applications only continue to grow. Learn how targeting your trademark screening more intentionally toward specific countries can make the process easier on your team and likely lead to a more ideal name.