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2026-10-17 23:43:41 UTC

takuya(iqbqioza) on Nostr: Struggling to find a unique name for your next product? Try Japanese. As more web ...

Struggling to find a unique name for your next product? Try Japanese.

As more web services, startups, and digital products emerge, finding a short, memorable English name that isn’t already taken is becoming increasingly difficult.

Here’s an idea from a Japanese perspective: Japanese could be an untapped source of inspiration for product naming.

Japanese has a rich variety of words and expressions that convey subtle differences in meaning, tone, identity, and personality.

Take the simple English word ‘I,’ for example.

In Japanese, there are many ways to refer to yourself, each with its own nuance.

‘Watashi’ (私) — neutral and versatile
‘Boku’ (僕) — often softer or more casual
‘Ore’ (俺) — casual and masculine
‘Watakushi’ (わたくし) — formal and polite
‘Jibun’ (自分) — means ‘self’ and can also be used to refer to oneself
‘Uchi’ (うち) — used by some speakers as an informal first-person pronoun

And these are just a few examples. Even from what I know off the top of my head, I can think of more than 20 different ways to say ‘I’ in Japanese.

They may all refer to oneself, but each carries its own nuance, tone, cultural association, and personality.

This richness creates opportunities for distinctive and meaningful product names.

Instead of competing for another familiar English word, why not explore Japanese words, expressions, and concepts to find a name that stands out?

As a Japanese person, I’d love to help founders and creators explore Japanese-inspired names for their products.

If you’re building something new and looking for a name with meaning and character, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you find a name that tells your story.