You should give considerable thought to what you name your podcast. After all, your podcast name will be your brand, a one-liner that gives listeners an idea of what your show is about, and (hopefully) an interesting phrase that gets new people to listen.
That said, don’t stress too much over the nuances of your podcast’s name. In general, it seems that if listeners really like the content you’re putting out, they’ll accept a show with pretty much any naming convention.
So, whether you name your show Tim Talks or something like The Tim Talks Podcast is unlikely to have significant sway over whether or not your show takes off. However, there are some basic considerations to take into account when deciding your podcast’s name. We’ll discuss them in detail below.
How Do You Pick a Podcast Name?
You can come up with a rough list of potential podcast names by asking yourself the following questions:
- What is your show about? How can you format that topic as a show title?
- Can you limit your title to 1-4 words?
- Are there any other podcasts out there with the same name already? (If so, sorry, but cross that option off your list.)
- If not a podcast, are there any social media accounts, YouTube channels, or website domains that have already taken that name? (If so, sorry, that name probably isn’t going to be a great option for you, either.)
- Is your podcast name memorable? (Does it use rhyming words, alliteration, or another memorable wording convention to help it stick in people’s minds?)
- Is it easy to say? (You’ll have to do this a lot once you start recording episodes.)
- Does it include any keywords that users are likely to use when searching for content related to your show’s topic?
Note that your top podcast name picks don’t have to cater to all of these criteria. There are many successful podcasts out there that defy several of these considerations. That’s part of what makes podcasts so exciting: it all comes down to the content you create and how listeners respond to it!
Narrowing Down Your List
After you have 3-5 potential show names picked out for your podcast, narrow your list down to just one. If possible, go with a name that is completely available, meaning there is nothing exact or high similar to it on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and no social accounts have already taken the handles for it.
If you’re one of the lucky people who have several name ideas that haven’t already been taken, you can decide your official podcast name by picking the one you like the most, asking for friends’ and family members’ feedback, or via some other criteria unique to your podcasting goals (for example, if you know you want to sell merch at some point, what name would look best on a t-shirt?).
Should I Include ‘Podcast’ in My Show’s Name?
Whether or not you include the word “podcast” in your official show’s name is unlikely to make or break your podcast. In fact, if you look at the Apple Podcast Charts, many of the top podcasts do not include the word in their official show names.
However, having the word “podcast” in your show name could make it easier to find in social media site searches.
Ultimately, it’s up to you!
What to Do Once You Have a Podcast Name in Mind
Once you’ve settled on what you’re going to name your podcast, don’t delay. Start claiming the social media handles and website URL to match your show’s branding. If you wait to do this until a later date, those accounts may not be available anymore, which can be confusing to listeners and frustrating for you.
In general, these are the items you want to secure in your podcast’s name, even if you don’t plan to use them right now (or ever):
- Top-level domain address (e.g. timtalks.com)
- Custom Facebook page handle/username (e.g. facebook.com/timtalks)
- Instagram handle (e.g. @timtalks)
- TikTok handle (e.g. @timtalks)
- X handle (e.g. @timtalks)
- Custom YouTube channel handle (e.g. youtube.com/@timtalks)
- Any other accounts you think you might want to use related to your podcast, such as SnapChat, Discord, Reddit, etc.
Most top-level domains can be registered for around $12 per month on sites like WordPress or Squarespace, and can be transferred to other website hosting providers in the future. You typically purchase the domain for a year at a time, but you don’t need to do anything with it until you’re ready. Simple paying to own it will ensure that no one can snatch it up as you start building out your podcast.
What’s Your Podcast’s Name?
There you have it, a quick and dirty guide to picking your podcast name and what to consider in the process.
How did you decide your podcast’s name? Tell us in the comments or drop your handle on one of our social channels!
