Short enough for the icon
On a phone home screen, long app names get shortened with an ellipsis, so very short names show in full. That is why the length filter on this page starts at 10 letters and "one word only" is switched on. You can change both.
Apple's App Store currently allows app names of up to 30 characters, and many apps use that space for a short name plus a few descriptive words. The short name is still what appears under the icon, so make that part strong.
Searching the app stores
Before you choose, search both the Apple App Store and Google Play for the name. Look for exact matches and close variants in your category. Store reviewers and other developers can object to names that are confusingly similar to existing apps.
Web apps and domains
If your app also needs a website, check the domain at the same time. App developers often use domains like the name plus "app" or a .app domain. Note that .app domains require HTTPS, which most modern hosts provide automatically.
What app stores and users notice
An app is found in three ways: a search inside the store, a link someone shares, and a glance at the icon on a crowded screen. Each rewards a different quality. Store search rewards a name that contains or hints at what the app does. Shared links reward a name that is easy to say and spell. The home screen rewards brevity. The best names manage all three, or compensate with a clear subtitle in the store listing.
Both major stores let you pair a short name with a longer subtitle or description, so you do not need to cram keywords into the name itself. Pick a name that is memorable and unique, then use the subtitle to say what the app does. Check each store's current naming rules before you submit, because they can reject names that are misleading, copy another app or include certain terms.
Example app names by category
These come from the generator with one-word names of ten letters or fewer. They are unchecked starting points.
- Habit and routine apps. Pathabit, Habitsig, Habita, Habitbyte
- Money and budgeting apps. Budgetly, Budlogic, Budgetwise, Budbyte
- Fitness and wellness apps. Nestride, Strido, Stridorbit, Strident
- Travel and maps apps. NodeTrail, Trailica, TrailNest, Trayla
Trademark and platform checks for apps
Downloadable software generally sits in international class 9 on the trademark register, and software as a service sits in class 42. Search both on the USPTO site for names that look or sound similar, not just identical ones. Then search the Apple App Store, Google Play, GitHub and the first two pages of web results. If you also want a website, check the domain at the same time, and use the domain guide if the .com is taken. Our trademark basics guide explains how to read the results. For a fuller software walkthrough, see the software startup name generator.
Common app naming mistakes
- Naming the first feature. Apps change quickly, and a name tied to version one is outgrown fast.
- Odd spellings. A dropped vowel may free a domain but costs you every time someone types the name from memory.
- Names that clash with the biggest app in the category. The store search will favor the incumbent and reviewers may object.
- Ignoring the icon. Set the name in small type under a mock icon before you decide.
Example names from this generator
With the keyword habit and the default settings on this page, the generator suggests: Pathabit, Habitio, Habytera, Habitops, Habyt, UseHabit, Habyto, TryHabit, Habytino, GetHabit. Try your own keywords above.
Frequently asked questions
How long can an app name be?
The Apple App Store allows up to 30 characters for the app name. Google Play also allows 30 characters for the app title. What shows under the icon on a home screen is much shorter, so put the memorable part first.
Can two apps have the same name?
The stores may allow duplicates in some cases, but it is a bad idea. Confusion hurts discovery, and the owner of an existing trademark can object. Search both stores and the trademark register first.
Should my app name include keywords?
A relevant word can help store search, but a memorable, unique name usually serves you better over time. Put descriptive keywords in the subtitle and description, and follow each store's current rules.
Is the app name generator free?
Yes. The app name generator is free with no sign-up and no limit on how many names you generate. The site is supported by advertising and clearly labeled partner links.
Are the names from the app name generator available to use?
Not necessarily. The generator creates ideas; it does not check trademarks, state business records, domains or social handles. Each name links to a .com search, and our availability guide covers the other checks.