10 Mistakes to Avoid When Naming a Podcast

Naming your podcast seems simple—until you realize it can make or break your brand.

A great podcast name helps you stand out, attract the right audience, and build trust. A bad one? It confuses listeners, gets buried in search results, or worse—leads to legal issues.

Before you commit, make sure you’re not falling into these 10 common podcast naming mistakes.

🎯 Pro Tip: Use our Podcast Name Generator to find creative, brandable, and available name ideas fast.

1. Picking a Name That’s Already Taken

This is the most common and most dangerous mistake. If someone else already uses your chosen name—especially on Apple or Spotify—you risk:

• Listener confusion

• Takedown notices

• Legal trouble (if it’s trademarked)

✅ Solution: Check if the podcast name is taken before launching on each platform.

2. Using Generic or Boring Words

Names like “The Marketing Show” or “Talks with Sarah” don’t stand out. They’re forgettable and hard to search for.

✅ Solution: Aim for something distinctive, specific, or clever—and make sure it reflects your topic or tone.

3. Going Too Long

Long podcast names get cut off on mobile displays and are harder to remember. Listeners should be able to say or search your name without thinking.

✅ Solution: Stick to 2–5 words max. Bonus points if it’s catchy or rhymes.

4. Ignoring Searchability

If your name has nothing to do with your topic, you’re missing out on organic search. People often find podcasts by searching themes, not titles.

✅ Solution: Include a keyword or descriptor that hints at your topic (e.g., “True Crime Tapes,” “The AI Breakdown”).

5. Using Difficult-to-Spell Words

Clever spellings or made-up words might seem cool—but if people can’t spell them, they can’t find you.

✅ Solution: Keep it phonetic, clear, and easy to type.

6. Making It Too Similar to Another Podcast

Even if your name is technically available, sounding like another show can still confuse listeners and hurt your brand.

✅ Solution: Search Apple Podcasts and Spotify for similar-sounding names before locking yours in.

7. Forgetting About Domain & Social Handles

If you want to grow a brand around your podcast, you’ll need a matching domain and social media handles.

✅ Solution: Check domain availability on sites like Namecheap, and lock down consistent handles on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

8. Using Trendy Slang That May Age Poorly

What sounds cool today might feel outdated in a year or two. If you’re aiming for longevity, be cautious with slang or meme references.

✅ Solution: Choose something timeless or brandable—not a passing trend.

9. Being Too Vague or Abstract (Unless It’s Intentional)

Names like “The Loop” or “EchoCast” are artsy but don’t communicate what your podcast is about—unless your audience already knows you.

✅ Solution: Abstract names are okay if supported by a clear subtitle (e.g., “EchoCast: Conversations on Creativity”).

10. Skipping the Audience Test

You might love your name—but what about your potential listeners? If it confuses, offends, or bores them, it won’t stick.

✅ Solution: Test 2–3 top name ideas with friends, fans, or in relevant communities. Get feedback before going live.

Bonus: Still Stuck on a Name?

Don’t spend weeks brainstorming from scratch. Use our free Podcast Name Generator to instantly get customized, creative, and available podcast name ideas based on your topic and style.