How to Name a Podcast That People Actually Remember
There are over four million podcasts on Apple Podcasts alone. Most of them have forgettable names. The ones that break through — Serial, Radiolab, My Favorite Murder — share something in common: their names do work before anyone presses play. A great podcast name hooks curiosity, signals what the show is about (or deliberately doesn't), and sticks in someone's head long enough for them to search for it later. That last part matters more than people think.
What Separates Good Podcast Names from Forgettable Ones
The best podcast names pass what you might call the "friend test" — could someone recommend your show at a dinner party without fumbling the title? If the name is too long, too generic, or too clever for its own good, it dies in word-of-mouth transmission.
- Specificity beats cleverness: "Crime Junkie" tells you exactly what you're getting. "Radiolab" tells you nothing — but it's so distinctive you can't confuse it with anything else. Both strategies work. What doesn't work is landing in the middle: vaguely clever but not distinctive enough to stick.
- The search test: Type your proposed name into Spotify or Apple Podcasts. If ten other shows come up with similar names, yours will drown. Unique, searchable names are non-negotiable in a crowded directory.
- Cover art compatibility: Your podcast name lives on a tiny square thumbnail. Long names get compressed into unreadable text. Short, punchy names dominate because they're actually legible at 50x50 pixels.
- Say it out loud: Podcasts spread through conversation. If your name is awkward to say — weird spelling, unclear pronunciation, too many syllables — it won't travel.
Naming Strategies by Podcast Format
Your show's format should influence your naming approach. An interview show and a narrative true crime series need fundamentally different name energy:
- Interview shows often lean on the host's identity — "The Tim Ferriss Show," "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard." If you're not already well-known, consider a name that signals the quality of guests or the angle of conversation instead. "How I Built This" works because it promises a specific story format, not a specific host.
- Narrative podcasts benefit from atmospheric, cinematic names. "Serial," "S-Town," "Limetown" — these sound like the titles of prestige TV shows, which is exactly the vibe you want for a story-driven podcast.
- Co-hosted shows can get away with more playful, personality-driven names. "SmartLess," "My Brother My Brother and Me," "Pod Save America" — these names suggest chemistry and banter without needing to explain the format.
- Solo educational shows work well with names that promise a clear value proposition. "Stuff You Should Know," "99% Invisible," "Hardcore History" — each one tells you what you'll learn and hints at the host's perspective.
Common Naming Mistakes
After listening to thousands of podcast pilots (okay, reading thousands of podcast listings), certain patterns emerge in the names that don't work:
- The generic "[Topic] Podcast" trap: "The Marketing Podcast," "Tech Talk," "Sports Corner." These names are accurate but completely invisible. They describe a category, not a show. You wouldn't name a restaurant "Food Place."
- Forced puns that don't land: A good pun can be brilliant — "My Favorite Murder" works because it's darkly funny and memorable. But most podcast puns are groan-worthy and confusing to anyone who doesn't already get the joke.
- Names that require explanation: If you have to tell people "oh, it's a play on words because..." then the name isn't doing its job. The best names either explain themselves or are interesting enough that people don't need an explanation.
- Copying successful shows too closely: Naming your business podcast "How I Scaled This" or your true crime show "Cereal" isn't homage — it's confusion. Find your own lane.
Niche Considerations
Some niches have unwritten naming conventions worth understanding:
- True crime favors dark, atmospheric names with a hint of mystery. One or two words tends to work best — think "Casefile," "Criminal," "Accused." The name should make someone slightly uncomfortable in the best way.
- Business and entrepreneurship podcasts should sound smart without being stuffy. The best ones signal insider access: "Acquired" (as in acquisitions), "My First Million" (aspirational but specific), "Lenny's Podcast" (personal brand authority).
- Comedy podcasts have the most freedom — the name itself can be the first joke. "My Dad Wrote a Porno" is arguably the greatest podcast name ever because it's a complete hook in six words. You need to know what happened next.
If you're building a podcast around a topic with an existing community, our YouTube Channel Name Generator can help you find a matching name for your video content too.
Using Our Podcast Name Generator
The generator is built to give you names that feel like they already belong in a podcast directory — not random word combinations, but names with the right energy for your niche and format:
- Pick your niche to get names that match the conventions and expectations of your topic area.
- Set the tone — a true crime podcast and a comedy podcast need completely different name energy, even if they cover similar topics.
- Choose your format because an interview show and a narrative series have different naming conventions. A solo show might benefit from authoritative, personal-brand names while a co-hosted show can be more playful.
- Adjust word count to control length. One-word names are bold and searchable; two-word names are the sweet spot; three words give you room for hooks and phrases.
Run it a few times with different combinations. The name that makes you say "that's it" on first read is usually the one — trust that instinct. Then do the practical checks: search the podcast directories, grab the social handles, and say it out loud to a few people. If they remember it the next day without prompting, you've found your name.
