Question 1

What is NameScore?

Accepted Answer

NameScore is the leading online tool for comprehensive brand, company, and product name evaluation - trusted by founders, startups, agencies, and product developers worldwide.

In seconds, our AI-powered service analyzes your name idea across critical criteria, including:Trademark safety (real checks in international databases)

Domain availability
Social media handles
Search engine & App Store visibility
Linguistic risks and hidden meanings
Sound, style, and emotional impact
Length, structure, and memorability

You get a detailed, multi-page NameReport PDF with clear explanations, an overall NameScore, and actionable recommendations.

Avoid costly naming mistakes, save hours of manual research, and make confident decisions - all with a simple one-time payment (no subscription). Over 15,000 founders and companies have trusted NameScore for more than 7 years. Ready to check your name? Test your idea now and get your NameReport instantly!

Question 2

What is the NameScore Report?

Accepted Answer

The NameScore Report is a professional, multi-page PDF that delivers a complete, easy-to-understand breakdown of your name analysis - helping founders, startups, and agencies make smarter naming decisions with confidence.

Inside your personalized report, you'll find:

Detailed scores and explanations for every check, highlighting strengths (e.g., strong trademark safety or memorable sound) and potential risks (e.g., linguistic pitfalls or low domain availability)
Overall NameScore with actionable recommendations
In-depth insights into trademark status, domain & social handle availability, search engine/App Store visibility, linguistic risks, phonetic style & emotional impact, length, and more

Reports can vary in depth depending on the selected checks, but every one is designed for clarity and immediate value – no fluff, just expert-level guidance.

See it for yourself: View a sample NameReport for the name “Namino” here.

Over 15,000 users rely on these reports to avoid costly naming mistakes. Ready for yours? Test your name idea now and get your instant NameReport!

Question 3

Which aspects does NameScore evaluate?

Accepted Answer

NameScore delivers the most comprehensive name evaluation available - combining real trademark data, marketing viability, linguistic analysis, and aesthetic scoring to help you choose a safe, memorable, and market-ready brand name.

Our AI-powered checks cover legal, marketing, and creative dimensions, including:

Trademark safety - Real-time search in international trademark databases: Is your name (or something confusingly similar) already registered?
Domain availability - Checks popular top-level domains (.com, .io, .co, etc.) and suggests strong alternatives.
Search engine & App Store visibility - How crowded is your name in Google, Bing, Apple App Store, and Google Play?
Social media handles - Availability across major platforms like Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and more.
Linguistic risks & hidden meanings - Detects unintended words, negative connotations, or problematic translations in other languages.
Sound & phonetics - Analyzes acoustic qualities: Does it sound strong, soft, modern, trustworthy, or premium? Based on proven phoneme research.
Length, structure & memorability - Evaluates ease of spelling, pronunciation, and recall.

We continuously expand and improve the NameReport with new checks and deeper insights - ensuring you always get the most up-to-date analysis.

*Important: NameScore provides valuable indicators based on public databases but does not replace professional legal advice from a qualified attorney.

Question 4

What is the NameScore Expert Opinion?

Accepted Answer

The NameScore Expert Opinion is an AI-powered feature that delivers unbiased, professional assessments from virtual naming experts - giving you fresh, outside perspectives to refine your branding decisions.

Perfect when you're torn between options or need deeper validation, these insights often uncover surprising strengths, hidden weaknesses, or creative angles you might have missed.

Key evaluations include:

Overall impression and emotional impact
Name type (e.g., descriptive, invented, evocative)
Associative potential and storytelling power
Memorability, distinctiveness, and standout factor
Expandability for future growth (e.g., product lines, international markets)
Future-proofing and long-term viability
Precise fit with your target audience

How it works: Our virtual experts draw from diverse fields like marketing, linguistics, phonetics, and cultural studies. Plus, you get tailored feedback from simulated representatives of your specific target audience.

It's the ideal creative complement to NameScore's data-driven checks, blending objective analysis with expert intuition for a complete naming verdict.

Question 5

How can I check if a brand name is already trademarked?

Accepted Answer

Checking whether a brand name is already protected as a trademark is one of the most important steps in naming - a conflicting trademark can lead to costly legal disputes or forced rebranding.

Manual options (free but time-intensive):

Search national trademark offices (e.g., USPTO in the US, EUIPO for the EU, or equivalent registries in other countries).
Use global search tools like WIPO’s Global Brand Database or TMview to scan multiple jurisdictions.
For thorough protection, consider hiring a trademark attorney to perform a comprehensive search, including common law (unregistered) rights.

These manual searches require expertise to interpret results, often miss similar (not identical) marks, and don’t cover marketing aspects like domain or social media availability.

The faster, more complete way:

NameScore automates real-time trademark checks across major international databases, flags exact matches and phonetically/confusingly similar marks, and combines this with domain, social handle, search engine, and linguistic analysis.

You get clear risk indicators in your NameReport - all in minutes, without needing legal expertise.

Question 6

How do I check if a company or business name is already taken?

Accepted Answer

Finding out if your desired company or business name is already in use is essential to avoid legal conflicts, registration rejections, or confusion in the market.

Traditional ways to check (free but limited):

Search national company registries (e.g., Companies House in the UK, Secretary of State websites in the US, Handelsregister in Germany, or equivalent registries in your country).
Look for active businesses with the same or similar names via official government databases.
Check for domain names and social media handles manually to gauge real-world usage.

These checks are often jurisdiction-specific, time-consuming, and don’t reveal unregistered (common law) usage or similar names that could still cause issues.

The smarter, global approach:

NameScore automates company name availability insights by cross-referencing major registries, detecting similar existing businesses, and combining this with trademark status, domain & social media availability, search engine competition, and linguistic risks – all in one report.

Question 7

When does a name become legally protected as a trademark?

Accepted Answer

A name (or logo, slogan, etc.) becomes legally protected as a trademark in two main ways, depending on the country or region.

1. Through official registration

The strongest and most reliable protection comes from registering the mark with a national or regional trademark office (e.g., USPTO in the USA, EUIPO for the European Union, or equivalent authorities worldwide). Once approved and registered, you gain exclusive rights in the specified categories and territories - typically lasting 10 years and renewable indefinitely.

2. Through actual use in commerce (common law rights)

In some countries (especially the US and UK-influenced systems), simply using the name in trade can create limited "common law" rights - even without registration. However, these rights are harder to prove and enforce, and usually only apply locally where the name is actively used.

Important: Protection is almost always limited to specific goods/services classes and geographic regions. A name can be registered by different owners in unrelated industries or countries.

The challenge: Registration processes take months or years, and conflicts with existing marks (registered or unregistered) can block approval or trigger opposition.

How NameScore helps: We automatically scan major global trademark databases for exact and similar existing registrations, highlight potential conflicts early, and give you a clear risk assessment - long before you invest time or money in official filing.

Question 8

What is a trademark register, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

A trademark register is an official public database maintained by a national or regional trademark office that lists all registered trademarks (brand names, logos, slogans, etc.) along with their owners, classes of goods/services, registration dates, and status.

Key examples of major registers:

USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) - for the US
EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) - covers all 27 EU countries
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) - administers international registrations via the Madrid System
National offices in the UK, Canada, China, India, Australia, etc.

How it works:

A company or individual applies to register a mark in specific classes and territories.
The office examines the application for distinctiveness, conflicts with existing marks, and compliance with rules.
If approved (often after months or years), the mark is entered into the public register, granting exclusive rights in those classes and regions.
Anyone can search the register to check for existing marks before filing their own.

Searching multiple registers manually is time-consuming and requires expertise to spot similar (not just identical) marks that could block registration.

NameScore simplifies this: We automatically search major global trademark registers in real time, detect exact matches and potentially conflicting similar marks, and present clear risk levels in your NameReport - alongside domain, social media, and linguistic checks.

Don’t spend hours searching registries yourself. Check your name with NameScore now and get instant trademark insights!

Question 9

How can I find out if a company with my desired name already exists?

Accepted Answer

Discovering whether a company with your desired name is already registered is a key early step - it helps avoid registration denials, legal challenges, or market confusion.

Common ways to check manually (free but fragmented):

Search official national company registries (e.g., Companies House in the UK, state-level Secretary of State databases in the US, the commercial register in Germany/Switzerland/Austria, or equivalent government portals in your country).
Use global business directories or credit agencies for additional clues.
Google the exact name + “LLC”, “GmbH”, “Ltd”, etc., and check domain/social media usage for active businesses.

These searches are usually limited to one jurisdiction, miss inactive or recently dissolved companies, and don’t reveal similar names that could still cause issues.

The faster and broader solution:

NameScore automatically scans major company registries worldwide, flags exact and similar existing businesses, and combines this with trademark status, domain availability, social handles, search engine competition, and linguistic analysis - giving you a complete availability overview in minutes.

No more jumping between dozens of government sites. Get clear insights and reduce risks from day one.

Question 10

Can the same company or brand name be registered twice?

Accepted Answer

Yes - but it depends on context, jurisdiction, industry, and territory. The same name can often coexist without conflict under certain conditions:

For company names (business registrations):

Many countries allow identical or very similar company names if they operate in different regions (e.g., one in California, another in New York) or different industries.
Some registries require uniqueness only within the same state/province or nationally, while others are more lenient.
However, even if registration is approved, an existing company with common law rights or a trademark could still challenge you.

For trademarks (brand protection):

The same name can be registered by different owners in unrelated goods/service classes (e.g., “Delta” for airlines and “Delta” for faucets).
Identical trademarks in the same class are generally not allowed if they cover the same territory.
Geographic separation also permits duplicates (e.g., one trademark in the US, another in Japan).

The risk: Even if registration appears possible, similar or identical names can lead to consumer confusion, legal disputes, or opposition during trademark filing.

NameScore helps you navigate this: We automatically check major company registries and global trademark databases for exact and similar existing names, highlight overlap risks across industries and regions, and combine this with domain, social media, and linguistic insights – so you can choose a truly distinctive name from the start.

Question 11

Can I patent a company or brand name?

Accepted Answer

No - company or brand names cannot be patented.

Patents protect inventions, technical solutions, processes, or new product designs (e.g., a new gadget, software algorithm, or manufacturing method). They do not cover names, slogans, logos, or branding elements.

What protects names instead:

Trademarks are the correct way to protect brand names, company names (when used as brands), logos, and taglines. Trademark registration gives you exclusive rights to use the name in connection with specific goods or services.
In many countries, simply using a name in commerce can create limited "common law" rights, but formal registration offers much stronger, enforceable protection.

Common misconception: Founders sometimes mix up patents and trademarks because both are forms of intellectual property. Filing a patent for a name will be rejected by patent offices worldwide.

How NameScore helps: While we can’t file trademarks for you, we scan major global trademark databases early in your process, flag existing registrations (exact or similar), and help you choose a name with lower conflict risk - before you invest in legal filings.

Question 12

What is the difference between a company name and a trademark?

Accepted Answer

Many founders confuse these two, but they protect different things and work in different ways:

Company name (legal/business name, e.g., “Apple Inc.” or “Tesla GmbH”)

Registers your business entity with a government authority (e.g., Companies House in the UK, state registries in the US, Handelsregister in Germany).
Primarily identifies the legal entity behind the business.
Protection is usually limited: often only prevents identical names in the same jurisdiction or region, and mainly stops others from registering the exact same entity name.
Does not automatically protect your brand in marketing or prevent others from using similar names for their products/services.

Trademark (brand name, e.g., “Apple” for computers or “Tesla” for cars)

Registers your brand (name, logo, slogan) with a trademark office (USPTO, EUIPO, etc.).
Protects how you present your products or services to customers.
Gives you exclusive rights to use the name in specific industries (classes) and territories - and lets you stop others from using confusingly similar brands, even if their company name is different.
Much stronger and broader protection for building brand recognition and value.

Key takeaway: You can have a company name without a trademark (common for small/local businesses), but if you want real brand protection - especially for growth, online presence, or international plans - you need a registered trademark.

Many great company names get blocked later because the brand name is already trademarked by someone else.

NameScore helps early: We check both company registry overlaps and global trademark databases, plus domain/social availability, so you can pick a name that’s safe as a business and as a protectable brand.

Question 13

How does name evaluation work?

Accepted Answer

NameScore makes professional name evaluation fast, fully automated, and 100% online - no waiting, no back-and-forth, just instant expert-level insights.

Here’s how it works in three simple steps:

Enter your name idea on namescore.io (takes seconds).
Our AI instantly runs comprehensive checks – analyzing trademark status in global databases, domain and social media handle availability, search engine & App Store competition, linguistic risks, phonetic qualities, memorability, and more.
Get your full NameReport PDF in minutes – complete with an overall NameScore, detailed breakdowns of every category, clear strengths and risks, and actionable recommendations.

No manual effort required. You’ll immediately see what makes your brand, company, or product name strong - and where hidden pitfalls could cost you time and money down the road.

Question 14

Do I need to register to use the service?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: yes

Question 15

Which names can I evaluate?

Accepted Answer

With NameScore, you can evaluate almost any type of name idea - whether a company name, brand name, product name, or project title. Campaign or app names can also be assessed. The name analysis considers legal aspects, technical availability, and linguistic impact. This gives you an objective, data-driven view of how viable and market-ready your name is.

Question 16

In which languages can I receive the report?

Accepted Answer

The NameScore Report is available in German and English. The language depends on the website version you use:

If you use namescore.de, you’ll receive the report in German only.
If you use the English version of the website, the report will be generated in English.

A report is therefore available in only one language - based on the language version of the site where you start your name check.

Question 17

Who is NameScore for?

Accepted Answer

NameScore is for anyone seeking professional support in evaluating name ideas - whether for brands, companies, products, or services.

Marketing and brand managers use NameScore as a strategic tool in brand development - for example, when preparing for a trademark application or positioning on the market.
Founders and startups get an objective assessment of the quality of their name ideas and can make informed decisions during naming.
Agencies and creative teams benefit from the ability to systematically analyze and compare multiple name proposals - ideal for supporting client projects or internal selection processes.

Question 18

How does NameScore help with naming?

Accepted Answer

NameScore supports founders, companies, and creatives with the systematic evaluation of name ideas. Each name check provides a detailed analysis showing how suitable a name is from legal, linguistic, and psychological perspectives. The NameScore Report gives you not only an overall rating but also specific checks - for example, trademark availability, domain availability, search engine presence, and sound/phonetic impact.

This helps you identify potential risks early on — such as legal conflicts or negative associations - and optimize your naming process accordingly. With NameScore, you gain a solid foundation for selecting a viable company, brand, or product name.

Question 19

Can I use NameScore in the trademark process?

Accepted Answer

Yes, NameScore provides a valuable initial assessment of a name’s trademarkability. The report checks whether your proposed name might already be registered as a trademark or exists in a similar form. These results give you clear guidance on whether your company, brand, or product name is generally usable from a trademark perspective.

Especially during the branding phase, NameScore helps by highlighting potential risks and thus making it easier to prepare for a trademark application or a strategic brand positioning.

Important note: the name check does not replace legal advice - but it does provide a reliable basis for decisions before you take further steps in the trademark process.

Question 20

Can agencies or teams check multiple names at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes, NameScore is particularly well-suited for agencies, marketing teams, and creative departments that want to evaluate multiple name proposals in parallel. With the tool, you can systematically check various ideas for company or brand names and compare the results across clear reports. This makes it easy to see objectively which name offers the best chances legally, linguistically, and digitally. It’s ideal for client presentations, internal selection processes, or pitch situations where a data-driven rationale for your recommendation is important. By placing several name analyses side by side, teams save time and can underpin their creativity with a professional online name evaluation.

Question 21

Is NameScore free to use?

Accepted Answer

No, NameScore is not completely free - but it’s designed to be incredibly accessible with a very low entry-level price (one-time payment per name, no subscription required).

Your first NameReport costs significantly less than any subsequent one - it's our special entry-level price designed specifically so every agency, founder, startup, or indie hacker can experience the full power of a professional name check without hesitation.

For this small one-time fee (no subscription, ever), you get:

Real trademark searches in international databases
Domain & social media handle availability
Search engine and App Store competition analysis
Linguistic risks and phonetic scoring
A detailed, multi-page PDF report with clear insights and recommendations

Question 22

Which payment methods are accepted?

Accepted Answer

For paying for your name check, NameScore offers several secure and convenient payment methods. You can complete your purchase via PayPal, or credit card. This ensures you can use the method that best fits your needs. All payments are processed using encryption, so your data is protected at all times.

Question 23

Are there volume discounts for agencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially for agencies, creative teams, and companies that regularly evaluate multiple name ideas, NameScore offers attractive discount models and package solutions. You can purchase multiple reports at once and benefit from reduced rates for larger needs. An overview of current offers and tiered pricing is available here: NameScore Packages & Pricing .

Question 24

How do I get an invoice?

Accepted Answer

Your invoice is generated automatically in digital form after purchasing a NameScore Report and is available at any time in your personal dashboard. There, you can conveniently download the documents and save them for your records. This helps you keep track of your expenses and ensures you always have access to your invoices - ideal for individual users as well as agencies and business customers.

Question 25

I didn’t receive a report - what can I do?

Accepted Answer

In rare cases, a NameScore Report may not appear immediately after you enter your name. Often, simply refreshing the page or restarting the analysis after a few minutes helps.

If the problem persists, please contact our support - we’ll help you quickly: Go to the support section . This ensures you reliably gain access to your online name evaluation.

Question 26

The website won’t load / isn’t working properly - what could be the reason?

Accepted Answer

If the NameScore website doesn’t load or certain features don’t display correctly, there can be various causes. Common issues include your own internet connection, outdated browser versions, or enabled browser plug-ins that interfere with loading. In rare cases, there may be short-term server issues, which we resolve as quickly as possible. Please try again later or test a different browser.

If the difficulties persist, our support team is available to help.

Question 27

I forgot my password - how do I reset it?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve forgotten the password for your NameScore account, no problem. On the login page, you’ll find the “Reset password” option. Simply enter your registered email address and you’ll automatically receive a link to set a new password.

This quickly and easily restores access to your account, ensuring you can always reach your saved name evaluations and reports.

Question 28

Are the names I enter stored?

Accepted Answer

As a rule, you can use NameScore without your name ideas being permanently published. The names you enter are processed solely for generating your NameScore Report. They are not stored permanently or shared with third parties.

This ensures your naming process remains confidential and your ideas are protected.

Question 29

How is my data handled?

Accepted Answer

Protecting your personal data is our highest priority. All data you provide as part of the online name evaluation is used exclusively to create and deliver your report. Processing follows current data protection standards and complies with the GDPR. We do not share data with unauthorized third parties. In your personal dashboard, you always have control over your stored information and reports.

Question 30

Is the report legally binding or just an assessment?

Accepted Answer

The NameScore Report serves as a professional, data-driven initial assessment of a name’s quality and trademarkability. It shows how your company, brand, or product name performs in various areas - for example, trademark availability, domains, or linguistic impact.

However, please note: the report is not legally binding and does not replace legal advice. If you want to officially protect your name or file a trademark application, you should also obtain a legal review.

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