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Comment by sivers | Hacker News Reader

Best advice I've ever seen on naming a business is from this old Seth Godin gem:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2003/06/naming_a_bus...

I read that in 2003, and have never forgotten the "Lemon Pie" example since.

I was developing websites in 2003, so I feel like I should be able to relate here, but he has this comment at the bottom that I can't figure out...

"Use a stock photo CD and find cool pictures that match your name BEFORE you pick the name. If you can find a bunch of $30 images that work with a name, grab the pictures, then the name."

Huh?

I think he's saying that once you have a set of potential names, get some stock photos/pictures that match up to those names, and then pick a name that you like AND has cool stock photography. That will keep you from picking a name and then having to spend even more time picking photos that go along with your name.

I've done some scuba and I don't get the Lemon Pie name in that context. Care to explain?

It's the whole point of the linked article.

> The LESS it has to do with your category, the better.

Apparently I'm still really, really bad at this.

:). Just think to yourself what apples have to do with computers and phones.

The Apple name did have a somewhat contrived connection with computers when the company was first started.

Back in 1976, Steve Jobs explained the name to me: "Take a byte of the Apple, get it?" And that's where the famous shape of the logo came from.

(I almost ended up working for him at the time - but that is a whole other story!)

That's cute! I didn't know that, thanks.

To me I don't think it has anything to do with Scuba per se.

More like it's a simple and easy name that you can build your scuba tour business around.

In other words - pick a good and easy English name or two and go from there. Avoid hard to pronounce words or smash two words together to make up a new word that means nothing.

At least that's how I see it.

easy as lemon pie

The name "lemon pie" makes a clear image in your head. This makes it easier to remember. This is why "peg" mnemonic systems work.

It's how I came up with the name "Big Blue Saw".

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