Ask HN: Do I need the Twitter handle?

I suppose it could depend on what your startup actually does, but on a scale from 0 to 10 in importance I'd rate availability of a Twitter handle at a solid 0 for the vast majority of startups.

Try GetName, NameHQ, OfficialName, RealName, or some other short word that associates with your company. If you're a bakery named "Flour" in NYC, for example, then try FlourBakery, FlourBread, FlourNYC, etc. Avoid geographic terms if you're a web startup though. Once you get some traction and have legal incorporation documents, contact Twitter. If the handle isn't actively being used by a company, they'll usually give it to you. It'll take a couple months though.

Source: your friendly neighborhood naming expert. I know of a couple companies that went through this exact process. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Find another? See if the handle is in active use and if not ask nicely if they'll turn it over to you (after you purchase the .com).