So what's in a name? Well, a lot, according to most market research. Consumers gravitate toward products and businesses with the right associations in their monikers, and for new startups, a name can be almost everything.

For businesses that are just getting off the ground, where that baby still isn't named yet, the web can be a great help in figuring out what others are doing, and how effective their options are. Web users can get business name meanings news and trends easily online, for:

1. Giving that new shop and sign a perfect name and the right "business name history" that inspires trust and will encourage new customers to flock together and get contracts inked.

2. Finding a replacement name for a dud business that is under new ownership or going through needed transition.

3. Looking for names for offshoot businesses, new product lines, local chapters, or new branches.

Action Steps
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Check out business magazines for help with business name meanings and options

Those who want to practice 'naming the rose' that is their budding business can get help from online biz 'magazines' that enjoy a wide circulation and a good reputation within the general business world. Do a quick business name check including what their research suggests about who's naming what and what the potential results are, while researching what a name will mean for your enterprise.

I recommend: Check out this "tutorial on finding business names" from Pandecta Magazine: "Making e-Business Accessible." Or find out "What's in a Name?" at the online version of Enterpreneur Magazine.

Look to online news directory sites for more resources for a company name search

Another way business leaders can get news on how names affect up-and-running shops is through 'news gathering' by prominent websites that harness the traffic of the web-savvy business crowd and post relevant items on the trends in business naming. In the course of your business name search, sort through these introductory resources and take notes for brainstorming sessions on what your name will mean to customers.

I recommend: Find business name resources from the forum at Young Enterpreneurs: "Inspiring Millions." Find a lot more on naming a business and other company name meaning research at Encyclopedia.com.

Find independent sources for business name meaning research

Other sites are operated either by individuals or by smaller business blogging groups. These sites can get managers or owners additional information to use while sitting down and figuring out naming for a new business or how a name will reflect a 'business name background.'

I recommend: Check out this page on Choosing Your Company Name from Walt Ritscher. Or turn to resources like this one on Discovering Your Inner Samurai from blogging groups helping new business owners on the web.

You should carefully choose the meaning of a business name to reflect both your business and the customers you want to serve. Although Juliet told Romeo that a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet, don't believe it when it comes to your business. Like Romeo and Juliet's romance, a haphazardly selected name can doom your business before it even starts.

Potential customers make decisions about shopping in your store or visiting your website based on what your business name means to them. On a basic level, your business name needs to reflect the products or services you sell. On a deeper level, business name meanings need to appeal to the desires and emotions of your customers. A little research can help you find a business name that will carry your company for many years.

1. Know your customers and your market and choose business name meanings they can identify with.

2. Stay away from generic names, names that are hard to pronounce, and narrow company name meanings that don't give your business room to grow.

3. Consider how your business name background and history might become part of your marketing plan.

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Conduct some business name meaning research and brainstorming

Use your business plan, goals and objectives, product lines and your own personality traits for direction in your company name search. Brainstorm with names, product descriptions and business models to come up with related names and concepts. Try to discover hidden meanings and alternate definitions.

I recommend: The Reverse Dictionary on Dictionary.com allows you to plug in any word or phrase to come up with related concepts. Find the translation of a word in more than 6,000 languages at YourDictionary.com. Find the Latin roots and meanings of words in the Latin Dictionary and Grammar Aid from the University of Notre Dame.

Connect your business name meaning to colors and nature

You should consider the psychological effects of potential business names. Take time to search business name meanings in relation to colors, gems, animals and plants.

I recommend: Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry provides a table showing the meanings of gemstones and colors. Look up animal symbolism in various cultures at the Princeton Online website. Connect your business name to nature by using the searchable listing of flower and plant symbolism at weddingbokay.com.

Call on the professionals if you need help with your business name search

Although you won't find any business name meaning software to help you out, business name meanings are so important that you will find companies dedicated to helping you with your business name meaning research. Business name consultants can get pricey, so be sure to get an upfront quote on costs and services. Some consultants will provide an entire branding package from business name to logo to slogan.

I recommend: Igor is one of the largest naming and branding agencies. To find out how they can help you, or just to jump start your own business name research, download their Naming Guide. Brains on Fire is an innovative company that helps you find the best business name for your company. Click on "The Fire" link on their website and take their tongue-in-cheek test on how memorable your business name is.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Study the names of your competitors to look for patterns and similarities. You don't want to copy them, but you might get some insight into the business name meanings that click with your customers.
• •  Before you finalize your business name, do a business name check with your Secretary of State to make sure another company is not already using the name. If your company is national or international, you'll want to do a more extensive search.

To those who ask "what's in a name?" a small business or midsize business owner might respond: quite a lot. Many businesses are always looking for effective naming that identifies the business correctly, promotes associations with a product or service and catches the public eye, reaching out to the business target audience. Knowing about some common key terms for business name meanings can help owners and decision makers find those words that best describe a company and help it profit from appropriate naming.

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Cognate

A cognate is a word that looks similar in more than one language. European or 'romance' languages cognates are often used in English business names for specific meanings. Cognates are especially useful when a company does business in more than one country and when inter-language research can be effective in promoting a product or service.

I recommend: See more on cognates at this page from Learn a New Language.

Acronym

An acronym is a word made up of the first letters of other words. These are often used for specific meaning in business names. Acronyms are useful for allowing a long business name to be easily spoken and written, and recognized by the public.

I recommend: Learn more about acronyms at AlphaDictionary.com.

Conglomerate

A conglomerate is generally a company that has swallowed up other companies. We use the term conglomerate to refer to a company with very different 'arms' or parts that engages in a diversity of fields. What this means for business names is that readers can sometimes glean some of the identities of subsidiaries from the business name if it has been amended to include them.

I recommend: Find out more about conglomerates at WiseGeek.

Associative memory

A kind of recall that is common among humans is associative memory, which is often considered in business name meanings together with the desired effect from the target audience looking for a service or product.

I recommend: See more on associative memory at this Artificial Intelligence Lab page from the University of Michigan.

Name research tools

Some companies may need to consult with name research companies in order to figure out all of the information about meanings associated with a business name. These companies use name research tools such as databases to find accurate information on a name.

I recommend: See an example of a name research company at Name Research.com.

Trademarks

Trademarks are specific phrases or logos that a company makes a claim on for branding and promoting themselves to the public. Often, business names are assigned with an eye toward their use as, or in connection with, trademarks, to build a brand over time.

I recommend: Find out all about trademarks, as well as patents and copyrights, at the United States Patent and Trademark Office online.