#brandnaming

How to Choose a Brand Name

Choosing a brand name is exciting—but it can also be risky. Every month, thousands of founders launch their brands on Instagram, websites, and marketplaces, only to face trademark objections, oppositions, or legal notices later. The result? Costly rebranding and marketing losses.

Here’s how to get it right in 2026:

1️⃣ Avoid the Biggest Mistakes

Many founders pick names based on trends, creativity, or domain availability—but ignore legal safety. A name that’s catchy isn’t always trademarkable.

2️⃣ Know Which Names Can’t Be Registered

The Trademarks Act forbids certain types of names, like:

Generic or descriptive words

Names identical/similar to existing brands

Offensive or misleading names

Government/official symbols

Non-distinctive marks

3️⃣ Use the 2026 Naming Formula

Top brands like Zomato, Swiggy, Nykaa, and Amazon follow a formula:

Memorable & simple

Legally distinct

Globally scalable

Flexible for brand expansion

4️⃣ Check Availability on IP India

Before printing labels or launching campaigns, always verify if your brand name is available on IP India’s trademark database.

5️⃣ File Trademarks Smartly

Proper filing reduces objections or third-party oppositions. Work with experts to protect your brand before you invest heavily in marketing. Watch Now: https://youtu.be/WDdOFllZmVc

Many startup founders believe that once a trademark is registered, the brand name is fully protected. The legal dispute between Origin Nutrition and Origin Fresh proves why this assumption can be dangerously wrong.

This case highlights an important branding lesson: 👉 Choosing the right brand name is often more important than trademark registration itself.

What Was the Dispute About?

Both companies used the word “Origin” as part of their brand identity. When the matter reached the court, one party sought exclusive rights over the word.

The court refused.

Why? Because “Origin” is a common, dictionary-based word that cannot be monopolized by a single business.

Why the Court Denied Exclusive Rights

Courts grant strong trademark protection only to distinctive names.

In this case, the court observed that:

“Origin” is a generic and commonly used term

It describes an idea or concept, not a unique source

Allowing exclusivity would restrict others from using a common word

As a result, the trademark received very weak legal protection.

The Biggest Lesson for Founders

🚫 Trademark registration does not guarantee ownership.

If your brand name is:

Common

Descriptive

Dictionary-based

Your ability to stop others from using similar names will be limited — even with registration.

Common vs Distinctive Trademarks

Weak trademarks:

Origin

Fresh

Natural

Pure

Strong trademarks:

Invented words (Google, Kodak)

Arbitrary names (Apple for technology)

Unique word combinations or spellings

The more unique the name, the stronger the legal protection.

How to Choose a Legally Strong Brand Name

Before registering a trademark, ask:

Is this word commonly used?

Can competitors logically use the same word?

Does this name clearly stand out in the market?

If the answer is “yes,” rethink the name. WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/6o--Zp6mAt0

Final Takeaway

A trademark certificate cannot fix a weak brand name. Strong brands are built on distinctive names — not common words.

Call to Action

If you are starting a business, launching a startup, or planning to register a brand name, learn how to choose a legally strong and distinctive brand before filing. Website: https://leintelligensia.com/

Phone Number: 9941993399

Email: [email protected]