Is it a bad idea to use a name that’s a play on my own name?
Or should I avoid using my name completely?
I’m wondering if there might be any long-term issues with it.
I’ve been writing content about my niche for a month now without publishing anything, just to make sure I’m committed. I feel ready to start, but I’m stuck on the name.
The blog name should either hint at what it’s about or be a term that sticks in people’s minds.
Mason said:
The blog name should either hint at what it’s about or be a term that sticks in people’s minds.
Totally agree. I’d go for something brandable myself.
Someone like Adam Enfroy suggests using your name as your blog name to build a personal brand. It also gives you the option to change direction later if needed. I’ve noticed this advice works well for others.
The name is key because it sets the tone for your blog. A play on your name works fine if you’re building a personal brand, but think about whether you’re happy with that identity long-term. You could also go with something niche-specific to allow more flexibility as you grow. Testing your niche first was a smart move, and now you just need a name that feels right for you and your audience.
Honestly, it’s fine. Some of the biggest brands or blogs out there have names that don’t make sense at all.
I asked an AI for ideas based on my niche, then showed the list to my friends. They picked their favourite, and I just went with it. I have a bit of UX experience, so user testing everything felt natural.
Just my two cents: don’t include something like ‘Russia’ in the name.
Using your full name might make it harder to sell the blog in the future if you ever decide to do that. It’s something to think about.
Think of the name as the hook and the niche as the bait. They need to work together.
It depends on the image you want to project. If your expertise is a draw for your audience, using your name could be a good choice. If the blog is more about neutral, informational content, a niche-related name might make more sense.
Look at blogs you read. How are they named? Do their names work for their purpose? That can give you some ideas too.
I just went with a random name, in case I wanted to change topics later. My niche ended up working well, so I focused on that instead. Personally, I think the post titles matter more than the site name.
For SEO, the name doesn’t really matter. Even something random like abcde.com can rank if your content is great.
That said, having a name people can easily remember and relate to your niche helps with branding. A good name makes marketing much easier in the long run.
Just use whatever you want people to associate with you. It’s all about building your personal brand.
A play on your name is way better than some of the names I’ve seen. Something like ‘BetterHealthLivingBlog.com’ feels clunky compared to ‘StevieMarshall.com.’
An easy-to-remember name is important for people to come back or share it with others.
There are probably other factors, but this one stands out to me.
The blog name helps with awareness and makes it easier for people to recall it later.
What’s the niche of your blog? It might help us give better suggestions.
The name should match the niche you’re writing about.