China's increasing international influence and its closer trade ties with other nations have presented numerous companies with opportunities to collaborate with foreign enterprises. In this process, an English name for a company becomes indispensable due to cultural differences that may arise in certain word choices. So, how should we name a tech company in English?
Comprehensive List of English Names for Tech Companies
1. Named after a Place: Reflect the Company's Origin
Due to local economy, culture, ethnicity, and religious factors, place names hold different significance in people's minds. For companies located in affluent regions, using a local place name in the company's name often brings additional cachet. However, it's best to avoid using place names that are not widely recognized.
2. Named after the Industry: Consider the Company's Current and Future Fields of Operation
It's important to consider the tech company's current products and areas of operation, as well as its future expansion plans, to ensure that its name reflects its scope of business.
3. Named after五行 (Wu Xing): Balance the Company's Yin and Yang with the Gender of its CEO
The name of a tech company should align with the gender of its CEO in terms of Yin and Yang attributes of the company's name. The combination of its Tiange (Heavenly Pattern) and Digé (Earthly Pattern) should exhibit strong growth potential. The characters used in the name should be compatible with the business and the owner's五行 (Wu Xing, the five elements of nature).
4. Named after Property Rights: Identify the Company's Ownership
Every company and unit has issues related to property rights, i.e., its ownership belongs to a specific individual, corporation, or the state. However, not every company or unit needs to indicate its property rights in its name. When using property rights as a naming approach, it's common to use the name of the higher-level unit. Yet, with historical development, this approach is increasingly less suitable for modern times.
5. Named after Category Words: Consider Size and Scope
Category words are perceived differently based on their size and scope. Therefore, when choosing category words, it's best to opt for broader terms, such as using "总厂" instead of "厂" or "分公司", and "总公司" or "集团" instead of just "公司". If a company is already established as part of a larger group, it can choose a part of the parent company's name.
Steps for Naming a Tech Company in English
Step 1: Determine the Letters that Can Be Combined
Find the possible letters that can be combined through various permutations and combinations to create a smooth-sounding and visually appealing combination. Analyze each letter and byte thoroughly.
Step 2: Identify the Constituent Elements of the New Word
Find industry-related elements and their corresponding English equivalents.
Step 3: Name Availability and Registration
From a branding perspective, names with less than six letters are the most memorable. However, from a registration standpoint, there are limited options due to high competition in securing registrations for shorter names. Four-letter words are almost impossible to register, while five- and six-letter words have higher chances but still face competition. We must choose names within these constraints to ensure their registrability.
Step 4: Finalize the Main Naming Options
All screened names have undergone tests in terms of pronunciation, meaning, and registrability. The main recommendations are focused on meeting client requirements.
注意事项 for Naming Tech Companies in English
All company names, whether pure English, invented English, or based on Pinyin, must be concise and easy to remember. For instance, Haier's Pinyin name "Haier" is an excellent example.
When naming a tech company in English, it should be adjusted to be easily understandable and acceptable to English-speaking audiences worldwide. For instance, instead of a straight translation like "Kangjia," which is difficult for non-Chinese speakers to pronounce or understand, Konka is a better choice because it sounds similar to its Chinese counterpart while also having a more English-like appearance.
Tech company names in English should ideally be similar in pronunciation to their Chinese counterparts or have some semantic connection to facilitate recognition by Chinese speakers. For instance, while Legend (which means "传说" in English) is a perfectly acceptable name for a company without any direct connection to "联想," it may not resonate with a growing number of bilingual individuals who understand both English and Chinese. When naming a tech company, it's essential to consider this growing demographic as well.
Avoid choosing an English name that has a specific and确定的 meaning unless it evokes a positive or inspiring association. When creating a name for a tech company like "丝精 (Sijing)", we can consider an invented word like "Silking" which combines "Silk" and "King," providing a positive connotation related to the original Chinese name while also being easily pronounced by an international audience.
