A YouTube channel name is one of the most important branding decisions a vlogger can make. With more than 2 billion monthly active users on YouTube, choosing the right channel name is critical for standing out and building an audience.

An effective YouTube channel name needs to be memorable, closely tied to your niche, have branding potential, and have a URL available. The name should communicate your core focus and content style at a glance.

Channel name trends have shifted over the years. In the past, many vloggers focused on using their own real names or incorporating numbers like “123” or “456.” However, today’s top creators choose names based on their niche or personality. Short, catchy names that are easy to remember tend to gain the most traction.

With YouTube being increasingly crowded and competitive, your channel name needs to instantly tell viewers what makes your content unique. It should reinforce your personal brand and distinguish you from others in your niche.

This guide will walk through tactics for brainstorming the perfect YouTube channel name for your vlog. We’ll also look at dos and don’ts, name ideas tailored to popular niches, and tools to generate customized name suggestions. Read on to learn how to set your channel up for success from the start.

Tips for Brainstorming Channel Names

When brainstorming your YouTube channel name, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Focus on your niche/content – Choose a name that reflects the niche or content you plan to create. This makes your channel easily discoverable by your target audience.
Make it memorable and catchy – You want a name that is unique and stands out, not something generic. Include memorable words, alliteration, rhymes, or other creative elements.
Check availability of name/URL – Search YouTube and other sites to ensure your desired name isn’t already taken. Check that the URL is available.
Consider branding potential – Pick a name that can grow as a brand beyond just YouTube. You may expand to other platforms or merchandise in the future.
Keep it simple and concise – Short, punchy names tend to be most memorable. One or two words is ideal. Avoid hard to spell or pronounce names.

Running potential names by friends and getting their feedback can also help narrow down your choices. Brainstorm a big list first, then whittle it down by applying these criteria.

Channel Names Based on Your Name

Using your own name in your YouTube channel name is a simple yet effective approach. Viewers will be able to immediately identify that it’s your personal brand.

Some ideas for using your name include:

Your first name (like Michelle)
Your last name (such as SmithTV)
Your full name (Michelle Smith)
Your first and last initials (M.S.)
Your nickname (Michelle could use Shelly)

You can also add words after your name:

Your name + “TV” or “Studios” or “Media” (Michelle TV)
Your name + “Vlogs” or “Vlogger” (John the Vlogger)
Your name + “Official” or “Channel” (Mary’s Channel)

Get creative by mixing up the order of your first and last name:

First name then last name (Michelle Smith)
Last name then first name (Smith Michelle)
First initial then last name (M Smith)
First 3 letters of first name + last name (MicSmith)

Using some form of your actual name in your channel name can help build your personal brand and allow viewers to connect with you on a more personal level.

Channel Names Based on Your Niche

Choosing a YouTube channel name based on your niche is a great way to let viewers instantly know what kind of content you create while optimizing for search. Think of niche keywords that summarize your content area like “cooking”, “beauty”, “gaming”, etc. You can even combine your niche with other aspects of your channel like your location, hobby, or other interests.

For example:

SeattleBeautyGuru
MidwestGamerGirl
SoCalCookingMom

Other ideas:

CodingForKids
ColoradoHiker
MidwestBookworm

The benefit of a niche-focused name is that it immediately communicates to viewers the type of content you produce. It also helps viewers who are specifically searching for content related to your niche to easily find your channel. Just be sure to double check the availability of the name and do a quick search to ensure no other major channels are using it already.

A few important tips:

Keep it short and memorable
Check for spelling errors
Say the name out loud to see if it sounds catchy

In summary, leveraging your niche in your channel name can help viewers quickly understand your content while optimizing your discoverability. Just be creative, do your research, and choose a name you’ll be excited to grow with.

Creative and Quirky Channel Names

They say some of the most memorable YouTube channel names are creative and quirky. This allows you to come up with something unique that represents your brand. Here are some ideas for getting inventive with your channel name:

Use Alliteration, Rhymes, Puns, etc.

The Sassy Storyteller
Rhyming Reviews
Punny Playlists

Alliteration, rhymes, and puns make your channel name flow off the tongue and stick in viewers’ minds. Come up with a fun play on words that fits your niche.

Make Up New Words Combining Multiple Words

Vlogventures (Vlogging + Adventures)
BeautyTuber (Beauty + YouTuber)
Cookstaurants (Cooking + Restaurants)

Blend two words together to create a new one that describes you and your content. This gives you an original and memorable option.

Use Descriptive Adjectives About You or Content

Happy Hannah (for a positive lifestyle channel)
Curious Chris (for an educational channel)
Savvy Savings (for a finance tips channel)

Think of words that sum up your personality or video topics. Turn those into snappy channel names.

With some imagination and experimentation, you can invent a YouTube channel name that captures attention. The key is finding something short, clever and meaningful to you.

YouTube Channel Names List by Niche

Channel names can be tailored to your specific niche or topic. Here are some examples:

Cooking

Culinary Creations
Kitchen Chronicles
The Flavor Lab
Fork to Flavor
Taste Bud Tango
Dish Dash Delight
Gastronomic Adventures
Cooking with Cravings
Apron Adventures
Recipe Rehab
From Scratch to Savory
The Flavor Palette
Kitchen Klatch
Gourmet Getaways
Cooking with Confidence
The Spice Odyssey
Culinary Crossroads
Flavor Fiesta
Kitchen Komodo
The Gastronaut

Gaming

Game Master
Pixelated Adventures
Virtual Wanderer
Controller Commando
Level Up Legends
Glitch Buster
Retro Revivers
Console Crusaders
Multiplayer Mayhem
Gaming Gourmet
Strategy Sensei
E-sports Elite
Virtual Virtuosos
Casual Crusaders
Gaming Guardians
Pixels and Potions
Code Commanders
Level Up Legion
Virtual Vanguard
Gaming Galaxy

Beauty

Glamorous Glow
Beauty Bliss
Makeup Muse
The Beauty Edit
Skin Secrets
Hair Flair
Style Savvy
Beauty Beyond
The Beauty Breakdown
Cosmetic Creations
The Glam Guide
The Beauty Buffet
Beauty Babble
The Beauty Blueprint
Makeup Mania
Glam with Grace
The Beauty Brigade
Beauty on a Budget
The Beauty Lab
Beauty Bytes

Family Vlogs

The [Your Family Name] Adventures
[Your Family Name] Family Circus
[Your Family Name] Chronicles
[Your Family Name] Vlogs
[Your Family Name] Unfiltered
[Your Family Name] Life in 24 Frames
[Your Family Name] Family Forever
[Your Family Name] Raising Radicles
[Your Family Name] The Homegrown Bunch
[Your Family Name] Family Fun Shack
[Your Family Name] The Chaos Crew
[Your Family Name] The [Your Location] Clan
[Your Family Name] Family First
[Your Family Name] Making Memories
[Your Family Name] The Heart of the Home
[Your Family Name] Family Ties
[Your Family Name] Family Goals
[Your Family Name] Our Crazy Family
[Your Family Name] The [Your Family Name] Show
[Your Family Name] Family Time is the Best Time

Fitness

FitForLifeTV
GritAndGain
UrbanJungleFit
PowerPoseYoga
FitnessRevolutionTV
MightyMuscleMaven
HomeGymGuru
BuffedUpBeauty
KettlebellKings
TheLeanLifestyle
DynamicDuoFit
CosmicYogaCave
TrainInsaneTV
ZenithFitnessZone
PrimalPulse
WODWonderland
SwoleSquadTV
HealthHavenChannel
FitFabLife
CardioCrazeChannel

Making Money Online

Money Making Mavericks
The Hustle Highway
Financial Freelancers
Digital Dollars
Money Making Missionaries
The Side Hustle Society
The Income Generation Incubator
The Money Making Mentor
The Profitable Pro
The Financial Freedom Formula
The Wealth Wealth Revolution
The Money Magnet Method
The Financial Fitness Force
The Prosperity Push
The Abundant Abundance
The Income Ignition
The Passive Profits Powerhouse
The Wealth Wizard
The Money Making Machine
The Financial Freedom Fanatic

Travel

Nomadic Narrative
Wanderlust Whispers
Expedition Xplorer
Travel Tidbits
Passport Perspectives
Escapade Explorers
Trek Trailblazers
Vagabond Vistas
Grammable Journeys
Travel Tonic
Wanderlust Warriors
Globetrotter Gazette
Explore Euphoria
Trekker Trailblazer
Journey Junction
Wanderlust Wonders
Nomadic Notions
Roam and Roar
Nomad Navigators
Venture Vault

Tech, Cars, and Gadgets

Tech-focused Names	Car-focused Names	Gadget-focused Names
Tech Titans	Motor Mavens	Gadget Geek
Gadget Guru	Gearheads Unite	Tech Toybox
Digital Decoder	Rev Heads	Gizmos Galore
Tech Unboxed	Auto Addicts	Gadget Haven
Tech Avenue	Car Crafters	Tech Treasures
InnovaTech	Petrolheads	Gadget Genie
TechScape	Wheel Warriors	Tech Toys
Tech Bytes	Automotive Enthusiasts	Gadget Gazette
Tech Pulse	Motoring Maniacs	Gadget Gladiators
Tech Odyssey	Octane Junkies	Gadget Universe

Tailoring your channel name to your niche can help you easily communicate your content focus and attract your target audience. Get creative and find a name that best represents you and your content!

Do’s and Don’ts

When choosing a name for your YouTube channel, here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:

Do choose a name relevant to your content

Your channel name should clearly communicate the type of content you plan to produce. This will help attract your target audience and set expectations about your brand. For example, if you plan to post gaming videos, including “gaming” or the name of your favorite game in the channel name would be ideal.

Don’t use trademarked or copyrighted terms

Avoid using names or terms that are trademarked or copyrighted by another brand or person. This could lead to potential legal issues. Do your research to make sure your desired channel name is available and original.

Do make it searchable and memorable

You want your channel name to come up easily in YouTube searches so new viewers can find you. Using keywords relevant to your niche can help. But also aim for a name that stands out and is memorable. A creative name that rolls off the tongue will stick in viewers’ minds better.

Do keep it concise

Long or overly complex channel names can be hard to remember. Try to keep it to one or two words or a short phrase under 30 characters.

Don’t use odd capitalization or symbols

Avoid strange capitalization like PascalCase or all lowercase letters. And don’t use special characters or underscores. This can make your name confusing or hard to search. Stick to simple capitalization for maximum clarity.

Do check availability

Before settling on a channel name, search YouTube, Google, social media sites, and domain registrars to see if it’s available. There’s nothing worse than picking a name you love only to find out it’s taken.

Do set up matching social media accounts

Register your chosen channel name on other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well. This will allow you to establish your brand name across social media and make it easier for fans to find you.

Tools to Generate Name Ideas

There are several online tools that can help generate YouTube channel name ideas based on your criteria. Here are some top options:

ChannelMinds

ChannelMinds lets you enter keywords related to your niche and interests. It then suggests available channel name ideas based on those keywords. You can filter results by length, delete names you don’t like, and save names to shortlist later.

Namelix

With Namelix, you enter keywords and it suggests YouTube name ideas. You can filter by language and minimum/maximum name length. It also checks domain availability for each suggestion. The tool is free for up to 50 name ideas.

NameMesh

NameMesh is designed specifically for creating YouTube channel and video names. Enter your keywords and interests and it provides hundreds of relevant name ideas. You can get keyword ideas, search for availability, and save favorites.

Panabee

Panabee isn’t just for YouTube channel names. Enter keywords and it generates brand name ideas for domains, businesses, products, and more. For YouTube channels, focus results on 1-3 word names without symbols.

Shopify Business Name Generator

While made for ecommerce stores, Shopify’s free business name generator can also provide creative YouTube channel name ideas. Results are sorted by category and can be saved for later.

With the right tools, you can generate hundreds of potential YouTube channel names to help spark the perfect one for your brand. Evaluate names against your niche, keywords, and personality to select the ideal option.

Conclusion

When starting a YouTube channel, investing time into finding the right name sets you up for success. Your channel name is the first impression viewers will have of your brand, so it’s crucial to get it right from the start.

Throughout this article, we’ve covered the key criteria that make a strong YouTube channel name:

Relevant to your niche
Memorable and easy to spell
Unique to stand out
Consistent with your personal brand

Putting thought into your channel name will pay dividends in the long run. An ideal name accurately conveys your niche while feeling personalized to you. This helps establish credibility and build an audience that connects with your content.

As you brainstorm name ideas, don’t rush into a hasty decision. Bounce ideas off friends and poll your target viewers. See which names resonate based on feedback.

Channel names can make or break a first impression, so take your time finding one that feels like the perfect fit. The investment will be well worth it when viewers immediately recognize your brand from the name alone.

What channel name ideas do you have for your niche? Share your thoughts in the comments below! With the criteria covered here, you’ll be able to develop a name that helps your channel thrive.