How To Name A Podcast

Every epic podcast should have an eye-catching, memorable name. It’s no question that choosing a clever way to identify your podcast is a big deal. It’s the first thing a potential listener will notice when browsing through show titles to see what sparks their interest. A show-stopping podcast name gives you a greater chance to reel them in.

A great podcast name can showcase who you are, and what your show is about, and hopefully capture your target audience. The name sets the direction of your podcast and gives your audience an idea of what they can expect from the show. It can be creative, unique, cheeky, straight to the point, or packed full of personality. If you are still debating what you should name your podcast, no worries! This post will guide you through picking a catchy podcast name that will stand out in all the podcast directories out there. So let’s dive right in shall we?

At Dear Media, home to 100 top-rated pop culture, entertainment, and lifestyle podcasts hosted by today’s most talked-about celebrities and creators, we know a thing or two about what it takes to make it. Since we launched in 2018, naming and rebranding shows is something we’ve done as part of every launch. TL;DR: you’re in good hands.

What We Look for in a Podcast Name

At Dear Media, there are a few things we seriously consider before launching a podcast, the name being one. Here’s what’s important to evaluate when creating a podcast name:

• Memorability: Can someone hear it once and remember it later?
• Easy to Say + Spell: If a host mentions it on another podcast, can listeners actually find it?
• Distinctive/Searchable: Is it specific enough that it won’t disappear among 40 similarly named shows?
• Fits the Concept: Gives some indication of the personality, topic, POV, or promise of the show.
• Has Room to Grow: Doesn’t box the host into one hyper-specific topic they might outgrow.
• Feels Like the Host: Especially for personality-led shows, it shouldn’t sound like a title marketing team slapped onto someone.
• Works as a Brand: Ideally, it looks good on cover art, clips, merch, social media handles, live events, etc.
• Doesn’t Require an Explanation: Clever is good; clever-but-confusing is where people may push back.

Ultimately, the strongest names usually strike a balance between personality and clarity. They give listeners something to remember without requiring a five-minute explanation of an inside joke. They also leave the host and the show enough room to evolve. Personal meaning is important, but the audience isn’t coming into the title brainstorm with the same concept. If a name is confusing, difficult to find, too similar to an existing show, or doesn’t communicate enough about the podcast’s identity, it’s worth exploring other options.

How To Name A Podcast

Start With Brainstorming

You can never go wrong with a good brainstorming session. However, it’s important that you already have your podcast’s theme, episode format, brand, and defined target audience. Only then can you start coming up with potential names for the show.

Give the brainstorming of podcast name ideas a few different attempts on different days. It’s really great to sleep on your brainstorming sessions to see how you feel after some rest. You can also schedule daily brainstorming sessions to dedicate real time to thinking creatively or just write down every idea that comes to mind.

A fun way to help you out when you are feeling stuck is to bust out the dictionary, thesaurus, or even a fun site like Rhymezone or a podcast name-generator website. Just do your best to get all your ideas out on the table, no matter how you feel about them.

Don’t Stress

Choosing a name for your podcast can feel like a lot of pressure. It’s a big moment, but it’s also an exciting moment. So enjoy it! You’ll love looking back one day and reflecting on how you came up with the name. Also, keep in mind, stress puts a serious damper on creativity. So kick back, have some fun with it, and let the creativity flow. Heck, even pour yourself a glass of wine if you need to during brainstorming sessions.

Make It Both Descriptive and Unique

The goal is for your podcast title to tell your potential listener what your show is about. But it should also reflect your unique flare! A fantastic name does both.

Think about your podcast theme and what words would best represent it. Also, take into account the speaking style of your target audience and what words resonate best with that demographic. Finally, add a little of your personality to it. You are the podcast host after all. It should be fun and introductory. A great example of this tip is the Dear Media-produced podcast, Raising Good Humans with Dr. Aliza. You can pretty much guess from the title that this podcast is going to be packed full of parenting tips. 

Consider Incorporating Your Brand Name

Maybe you already have a successful personal or business brand with an active following. You’re getting into the podcasting game as an addition to your already thriving brand presence. So to attract potential listeners to your podcast, you can include the name of your brand in the title. Those who already know your brand might feel more attracted to your podcast if the title includes your brand name too. It’s a simple matter of familiarity. Plus, it helps you keep things consistent within your brand messaging. You can learn more about branding HERE.

Chriselle Lim went this route with her Dear Media parenting podcast Being Bumo. Bumo is the name of her parenting community and brand. In a word, it means to parent. This makes the name of her podcast “being parent,” which incorporates both her existing brand name and explains what the show is all about. You can also take the name of your brand and add something to it.

For example, when Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential started a podcast with her husband Michael, they chose to incorporate both her brand and a unique identity for the show. What was once The Skinny Confidential is now Dear Media’s The Bossticks, a nod to how to brand has evolved over time—and how the couple is a brand in their own right.

Think About Using Word Play

Incorporating a play on words into your podcast title can help make it more catchy. Alliterations, puns, slang phrases, and metaphors make a statement. This can help your show stand out from the crowd in the podcast directories. It’s a fun way to catch the attention of your potential listeners too! Just be careful not to make it too ambiguous or abstract or you risk confusing your existing following. 

Let’s take Carla Bezanson’s Dear Media podcast, Don’t Think, as an example. The show is notoriously about overthinking, spiraling thoughts, navigating OCD and anxiety, and figuring out how to power through, well, thinking! (Overthinking, that is.) This reflects the satirical tone of the show without giving away what it’s about, keeping listeners intrigued to learn more.

Remember Title Length Matters

Use short and sweet as a rule of thumb. The shorter the podcast title, the easier it will be to remember. Shorter names will also display better on all podcast directories since most people will stream them from their smartphones. So try to keep the title length between 14 and 29 characters! 

Analyze Its Searchability

The searchability of a podcast refers to its SEO value on search engines for potential listeners. It also involves the searches people make on podcast directories and the suggestions that may appear on their feeds. Search engines consider your podcast’s title and description when analyzing whether it is related to a potential listener’s search. Consider including a keyword or two in your podcast title to improve its SEO.

For example, a good podcast like Dear Media’s Glowlab with Susan Yara is all about sex, beauty, wellness, and more. Essentially, it’s a dedication to women’s focus on wellness, relationships, and self-improvement. Including the word “glow” is super strategic from an SEO standpoint. Another good example? Amanda Kloots’ Dear Media podcast Good Grief. It’s a heartfelt exploration into what happens when grief takes over, and the word “grief” directly plays to search engines.

Include Keywords But Avoid Keyword Stuffing

Look, we all love SEO. But let’s not go overboard with keywords on a podcast title. It’s super obvious and can come across as inauthentic. And people need to see their favorite podcast host as someone genuine, not as a search engine pleaser. Apple Podcasts has also stated that it will remove all podcast names which are just a long list of keywords from its podcast directory. That’s a clear warning that keyword stuffing is not okay for your podcast title. This goes for both your overall show name and individual episode titles. Always keep things genuine.  

Try Saying It Out Loud

Podcasts usually travel by word of mouth. No surprise there, right? So your podcast title has to sound great! You will consistently repeat the name of your podcast in every intro for each episode, anytime you promote your show, and anytime you talk about your brand in general. Further cementing the need for the name of your podcast to flow. The name should be easy to pronounce and each word should flow effortlessly. Say all the potential names over and over for a good while. By the end, you will probably discard a couple of names you thought were potentials. 

Pitch It To A Sample Of Your Target Audience

This is perfect if you already have an existing following. You can ask for a few volunteers and pitch them a couple of your favorite podcast titles. However, seeking opinions of people outside of your typical community can also provide you with great insight too! This may even spark up some new creativity and refresh some existing ideas. So don’t be afraid to ask people that aren’t already followers or are heavily involved in the space. Sometimes fresh eyes and ears can really inspire!

Check Podcast Name Availability

Before you choose a podcast title, make sure to check if it’s available. It would be truly disheartening to get set on a name, maybe even a design for your show’s cover art, only to realize the name is taken. Plus if you plan on monetizing your podcast, you’ll need to avoid any copyright and trademark issues.

Always do your research beforehand. Once you know the final contenders for the podcast name, search to see if it’s already in use. Ideally, you’ll want to start looking across podcast platforms. Think: Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It’s also a good idea to see if the name is taken on social media sites such as TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. These are valuable spaces to do a little extra research, and most podcast hosts are super active across platforms.

Pro Tip: Giving your podcast its own Instagram or Twitter makes it a great way to send out announcements like upcoming episode info, a recap of the shows, and snippets of previous shows.

When a Podcast Should Rebrand

People, brands, and podcasts evolve. What you named your podcast originally may not reflect your content and goals now. And that’s okay! At Dear Media, we’ve had a handful of podcasts rebrand over the years to accurately represent where they’re at now. For example, this includes:

• The Bossticks, which was originally The Skinny Confidential
• Well with Arielle Lorre, which was originally The Blonde Files
• We Ride at Dawn (ish), which was originally Call It What Is Is
• The Toast, which was originally The Morning Breath and then The Morning Toast

There are plenty of reasons why a host may readapt their podcast brand and podcast name. Sometimes, one network owns the trademark and rights to the original title. Other times, particularly if the hosts don’t change networks, they just don’t feel like their original title accurately describes the era their brand is in anymore.

And we know what you’re thinking: “If a change my podcast name, how will it impact my audience, feed, and search visibility?” The truth is that yes, it does cause a temporary drop in search visibility—even if you’ve updated your name with relevant keywords. Plus, podcast apps take time to update their index.

This isn’t something to stress about, though. This drop, as we said, is only temporary. Search engines will catch back up and your general viewership doesn’t necessarily experience a massive decline. And if you’re marketing across social media networks, your followers and listeners will know exactly where to find you.

How To Trademark A Podcast Name

Trademarking a podcast name is a great way to make sure that you get the credit you deserve for your hard work. If you’re thinking about registering your trademark podcast name, here’s what you need to know.

Trademark registration can be done through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You’ll need to fill out an application with your podcast name and other identifying information. Once you’ve filed this application, it will be reviewed by an examiner at the USPTO who will determine whether or not your podcast name is eligible for trademark protection. If the examiner determines that it is eligible, then he or she will issue a certificate of registration for your podcast name, and your podcast will be considered your own intellectual property by law.

This process generally takes 8 to 14 months from start to finish. An attorney has to review the application, the name is published for a 30-day opposition period, and then you may need to work through a few additional steps after filing.

How to Name a Podcast FAQs

How long should a podcast name be?

A podcast title should ideally be 4 words or less, which stacks up to about 15 to 20 characters. It’s easier to remember, it fits cleanly on social media handles and cover art, and it avoids getting cut off on mobile apps. And as far as podcast episode title length, stick to under 60 characters.

Should your podcast name include the word podcast?

No, it definitely does not have to include the word “podcast.” That’d be the same as saying… A Court of Thorn and Roses (ACOTAR) the book, or Love Island the TV show. It’s redundant, and honestly, doesn’t add anything super valuable to the title itself.

Can you change a podcast name later?

Yes! You can absolutely change your podcast name later. It’s honestly the best move if you’re rebranding, in a different era, or simply want to shift your focus to a new niche or scope. For example, if your original title reflects beauty and makeup, but you’re more into health and wellness, your podcast title should reflect that adjustment.

Do you need to trademark a podcast name?

You should, but you don’t absolutely have to. In the early stages, trademarking really depends on your budget and monetization. If you SOLELY plan to use your platform just to chat and nothing else, not a huge deal. But if you plan to sell merch, secure sponsors, or prevent someone else from snagging your name after you called it? Yeah, we definitely recommend trademarking your podcast name.

What makes a podcast name hard to find in search?

Overly generic terms, non-descriptive keywords, duplicate titles, abstract language, and misspellings can all make your podcast name hard to find in search. Think of titles like “The talk.” That’s such a generic, hard-to-niche-down word, that your title may get lost in a sea of other search terms.

Are you ready to get creative and choose a podcast name?

There you go, future podcasters! Now you have the insider’s scoop on how to name a podcast. These tips will help you pick a unique podcast title that is both memorable and authentic. If you have any other questions about starting a podcast, what kind of podcast apps to use, or how to name your podcast properly, let us know in the comments. We are happy to help! You can also head over to this article to get the best list of everything you need to start a podcast. Best of luck picking your podcast name!

Don’t forget to tune into our podcast hosts across the Dear Media network, there’s a host covering virtually every niche. And if you want to learn more tips, tricks, and how-tos, make sure to keep up with our articles on Dear Media; we do the research so you don’t have to.