Tips ยท Test list
Five tests for a business name, before you print anything
A name gets said thousands of times, typed into search bars and registered with the government. Five tests to run before a logo makes it feel permanent.
A name gets said out loud thousands of times, typed into search bars, printed on cups and registered with the government. Test it before a logo makes it feel permanent.
Run these five tests. A good name passes all of them. A great one passes and still makes you smile.
Test 1: Say it
Say the name to five people over the phone, then ask them to write it down.
It passes if: Most of them spell it correctly without help.
Test 2: Spell it
Write it in Arabic and in English, and check the transliteration both ways.
It passes if: There's one obvious spelling in each script, and both sound the same.
Test 3: Search it
Search Google, Instagram, TikTok and domain registrars.
It passes if: No established business in your sector owns it, and a matching domain and handle, or a close variation, is free.
Test 4: Translate it
Check what the name and its parts mean across Arabic dialects and in English, slang included.
It passes if: Nothing awkward, nothing offensive, nothing that belongs to a competitor.
Test 5: Own it
Search the trademark records of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), then register your own in the classes you trade in.
It passes if: The name is available to register. A trademark lawyer can confirm the details.
If a name fails a test, fix it now. Changing a name costs a few conversations before launch and a lot of reprinting after it.
Common name styles
- Descriptive. Says what you do. Easy to understand, harder to register and protect.
- Invented. A brand-new word. Easy to own, and it takes more effort to build meaning.
- Founder or place names. Personal and grounded, though they can feel limiting if the business grows or moves.
- Arabic words with meaning. Strong locally. Test the pronunciation abroad if you plan to expand.
Questions people ask
How do I check if a business name is trademarked in Saudi Arabia?
Search the trademark records of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), which handles trademark registration in the Kingdom. A trademark lawyer can confirm availability in the classes you need.
Should my business name be in Arabic or English?
It depends on your audience and plans. Many Gulf brands choose a name that works in both scripts. Run the spelling and pronunciation tests in both before deciding.
Do I need a matching domain name?
A matching domain helps people find you. A close variation works too, as long as it's easy to say and spell.
Sources
Written by Brandtastic Design Studio.