Since launching in 2005, Etsy has helped craft makers, creators, curators, and artists worldwide start and grow their businesses. There are now nine million sellers and 96.2 million active buyers.
Selling on Etsy is a great way to dip your toes in ecommerce or expand your ever-growing online business.
But before you can start an Etsy shop and capitalize on this potential, you first have to find the perfect name. And with a growing number of sellers, standing out is getting both tougher and more important.
Want to know what makes a good Etsy shop name? Read on for Etsy shop name ideas and how to choose the best name for your own Etsy shop.
Why choosing the right Etsy shop name is important
Your Etsy shop name is often the way people will search for your brand on the marketplace, so you want to stand out enough that you’ll show up at the top of searches but also be familiar enough for people to easily remember.
A B2B International study found that for a brand or a company, choosing an appropriate name can be a valuable asset, as it lends credibility, can build brand equity, and help your brand become a household name.
Consider a unique brand name that reflects your store’s character and the products you sell, as well as one that is easy to remember that appeals to your target market. And, of course, take into consideration the names of Etsy stores that sell products that are similar to yours. You don’t want to have a too-similar name and should consider how product competitors brand themselves.
Elements of a great Etsy shop name
- Technical requirements
- Uniqueness and originality
- Memorability
- Availability
- Branding
- SEO
- Future-proofing
Here are the elements to keep in mind as you choose your Etsy shop name:
Technical requirements
Coming up with a good Etsy shop name is an art. It’s first helpful to think about what the platform requires for Etsy business names:
- No more than 20 characters
- No spaces
- No punctuation
Next, think about how your Etsy names will look and where they’ll be used. Your URLs will be the following:
- https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopname
- shopname.etsy.com
Your Etsy store name will also show up at the top of your Etsy store page just beneath your main banner image, as you can see this example from JewelleryGBShop:
Choose something easy to pronounce, spell, and remember in all of these contexts. Consider capitalizing the first letter of each word to help shoppers differentiate between the words in your name. This tactic also helps with accessibility. While the example above could’ve used “jewellerygbshop” as its Etsy store name, “JewelleryGBShop” is easier to read and understand.
Uniqueness and originality
Find a name that no one else could come up with. Not only does this help make sure customers don’t mix your business name up with another one, but it also means your social media handles and website domain name should still be available.
If your personal name is unique, consider naming your business after you. The shop below is called “Tara Jayne Designs,” incorporating the first and middle names of the shop owner.
Because it’s less likely for someone sharing this name to have a similar business, this gives Tara a unique business name.
Memorability
Create a name that is going to stick in your customers’ minds. This way, they’ll easily be able to recall it after seeing your marketing materials or online ads and head over to your website.
Here’s a great example of a memorable business name incorporating humor: “DoTakeItPersonally.”
Come up with a punchy name that’s easy to recall. This will help your business stay top-of-mind longer and could even contribute to some word-of-mouth marketing as customers tell their friends and families about this company they just purchased from.
Availability
Choosing the right name for your Etsy shop is an important step in establishing your brand identity—but if the name you want isn’t available, you’re back to square one. Etsy requires each shop name to be unique; once a name is used, it can’t be reused, even if the original shop is closed. This means if you choose a name that’s already taken, you’ll have to start over, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Avoid this issue by using the “check availability” feature during the shop creation process on Etsy. This handy tool shows you whether your desired name is still available before you commit to it. If the name isn’t available, Etsy will suggest some other, similar options.
As well as checking on Etsy, it’s a good idea to run a broader search. Look for your chosen name on search engines like Google to see if any other businesses or websites are using it. This step makes sure your name is not only available on Etsy but also unique enough to stand out in the marketplace. To be thorough, do a site search via Google—type “[your name idea] site:etsy.com” into Google to search only on the Etsy website. Then do a Google search for “[your name idea] etsy,” and finally do a search on the Etsy website using its on-site search function.
💡Tip: Check the availability of the name on social media and as a domain name too, so you can create a cohesive brand presence across various channels.
Branding
Maybe you’re not new to selling online and you already have an ecommerce business with an established name and brand identity. Expanding your business to sell on Etsy is a great way to diversify your revenue streams and reach a new audience.
Here are some ideas on how to modify your existing brand name to come up with Etsy shop ideas:
- Add an action word in front. Words like “buy,” “shop,” and “get” could work well at the beginning of the name. Ethical outdoor brand United By Blue might be listed on Etsy as BuyUnitedByBlue or GetUnitedByBlue.
- Drop a word. If you have multiple words in your business name, you might be able to afford to lose one. If Partake Foods were to launch on Etsy and its name is already claimed, it could do Partake, for example.
- Replace a word. Some words may be interchangeable. Likewise, Partake Foods could do PartakeTreats or PartakeSnacks.
- Add a descriptor. This idea works especially well for vague or unfamiliar brand names. Allbirds might open on Etsy as AllbirdsShoes or AllbirdsSneakers, for example.
- Use store-inspired words. Words like “shop” and “store” can go at the end of your name to signify it as a destination. Adored Vintage could open on Etsy as AdoredVintageShop or even AdoredVintageShoppe (the latter is 19 characters, just under Etsy’s 20-character limit).
💡 Tip: If your name is already taken on Etsy, you might also consider listing your business on Etsy alternatives to maintain your brand equity.
Think about the kind of products you’re creating and selling, too. If you’re crocheting scarves, consider putting words like “Crochet,” “Yarn,” or “Wool” into your Etsy shop name. If you’re creating and selling candles, consider words like “Candle” or “Wax.”
Here’s an example from a shop that sells pieces of wood that have been repurposed into household décor—and aptly named its shop “urbanplusforest.”
They’ve made a creative name by taking the material they use to create their handmade products and incorporating it into their brand name.
SEO
When setting up your Etsy shop, consider search engine optimization (SEO), as this impacts how visible your store is in search results. A well-chosen shop name can make it easier for people to find your products.
To use SEO when coming up with Etsy name ideas, start by doing some keyword research. Think about the words and phrases your target market might use when searching for products like yours and incorporate these keywords into your shop name and product listings.
For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, including words like “handmade” or “unique” in your shop name can help attract your target audience.
💡 Tip: Make sure you use these keywords in your product titles, descriptions, and tags as well. This way, you not only improve your shop’s visibility on Etsy, but you also increase your chances of being found through search engines like Google, which ultimately drives more traffic to your store.
This shop uses the word “rustic” in its Etsy name to capture people who are searching for rustic products.
Future-proofing
You ideally want to choose a name that won’t limit your business as it grows. If you pick a name that’s too specific, like “Handmade Baby Clothes,” you might find it hard to expand into other product categories later on.
Instead, consider a more general name that allows for a wider range of products. This way, if you decide to branch out into handmade accessories or home déecor, your shop name will still fit. A flexible name also helps you adapt to changing trends and customer interests over time.
To future-proof your Etsy shop name, start by brainstorming ideas that reflect your brand’s essence and vision without being overly specific. Think about words that describe your style or the vibe you want to convey, rather than focusing on a particular product.
For example, instead of naming your shop “Handmade Dog Collars,” consider a more holistic name like “Paws and Crafts.” You can then expand into other pet accessories or even different types of crafts and your name will still be relevant.
This store is called MoggyandPooch, giving the owner free reign to add all sorts of dog and cat products to their shop.
💡Tip: Incorporate keywords that reflect your brand’s essence but aren’t limited to one category or product.
Examples of great Etsy shop names
Here are some real-life examples of good Etsy shop names:
HaldeCraft
Etsy shop name: haldecraft
HaldeCraft is an example of a seller that has an Etsy and Shopify store with a unique name. The handcrafted ceramics brand has since grown and evolved into a brand with name recognition and a dedicated Shopify storefront where she sells directly to customers.
AHeirloom
Etsy shop name: AHeirloom
AHeirloom is an Etsy store that specializes in personalized heirloom-quality gifts, often focusing on custom items that hold sentimental value. The name “AHeirloom” is particularly effective because it conveys a sense of timelessness and tradition, suggesting that the products are not just items for sale but cherished keepsakes meant to be passed down through generations. This name resonates well with customers looking for meaningful gifts, making it memorable and relatable.
Conquest Maps
Etsy shop name: ConquestMaps
Conquest Maps also uses initial capping to help with accessibility and readability for its Etsy shop. Rather than opening as “Conquestmaps” or “conquestmaps,” it launched on Etsy as ConquestMaps. The brand sells unique maps for travelers to keep in their homes as décor and pin the places they’ve been.
Klès
Etsy shop name: KlesOfficial
A finalist in the 2019 Etsy Design Awards, Klés founder Jessica Gomez parlayed her early success selling unique handbags on Etsy into a multichannel online store with a range of leather fashion accessories.
Rather than pigeonholing itself with a name emphasizing a single product category (e.g. KlesHandbags), Klès added the word “official” to its Etsy name: KlesOfficial. If you’re concerned about protecting your brand from imitators and want to add a layer of trust for prospective customers, consider this approach.
Rebranding: when and how to change your Etsy shop name
Even if you’ve done your due diligence, you still might outgrow your original Etsy shop name ideas later down the line or your name may no longer reflect your product catalog.
There are several reasons you might want to switch things up, including:
- Outgrowing your original name
- Finding your original name no longer represents your brand or products
- Expanding your product range or shifting your focus
- Discovering your shop name is too similar to another seller’s
- Learning your shop name is hard to spell or remember
To change your Etsy store name, log into your Etsy account and go to the Shop Manager. From there, go to the “info & appearance” section, where you can find the option to edit your shop name. You can make up to five name changes after your Etsy shop opens to the public.
Remember, your new name should be between four and 20 characters long and it must be unique. Before finalizing your new name, make sure it’s easy to spell and pronounce. Don’t forget to inform your customers about the change too—use your social media platforms, newsletter, and shop announcement section to let them know.
💡Tip: Update your shop title, description, and tags to reflect your new name.
Sell with Etsy, grow with Shopify
Starting an Etsy shop with the perfect name can help you get a strong start selling online or expand your existing business. But while it’s a great platform, Etsy has its limitations, especially when it comes to communicating with and marketing to your audience.
That’s why it’s important to use Etsy as a part of your multichannel ecommerce strategy. When you sell on Etsy with Shopify, you own the customer experience. Plus, you can bypass listing fees and categorize your products the way you want to.
While Etsy is a valuable channel for new and established entrepreneurs alike, Shopify is how you can take your business to the next level.
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Etsy names FAQ
Should I use my real name on Etsy?
Using your real name on Etsy can help establish trust and create a personal connection with customers, especially for handmade items. However, a creative shop name might be a better choice if you prefer privacy or want to build a distinct brand identity. Ultimately, choose a name that resonates with your brand and appeals to your target audience.
How do I choose a good Etsy shop name?
Choose a name that’s:
- Unique
- Memorable
- Available
- Branded
- SEO-friendly
- Future-proof
Does your Etsy shop name matter?
Your shop name is the first impression Etsy customers will have of your online business, and can even determine your success on the platform. Your Etsy shop name should be memorable, unique, and descriptive, all while capturing the essence of your brand and products.
Does your Etsy shop name have to match your business name?
Matching your unique Etsy shop name to your business name on social media and other sales channels will help customers avoid confusion, find you in search engine results, and connect your Etsy store with an established brand identity.
Should I change my Etsy shop name?
If you’ve adjusted your business name elsewhere, or your Etsy shop name simply needs improvement, changing your name can help you make more sales in the long run. You can make up to five name changes after your Etsy shop opens to the public.