The Buzz Around “Bad” Names

There’s no doubt that controversial or awkward names spark discussion:

• When Ben & Jerry’s launched Schweddy Balls, Twitter lit up.
• Apple’s Siri made headlines for its unfortunate meanings in other languages.
• Risky drinks like Pussy energy targeted club culture and thrived on shock value.

Yes—people talk about them. But the question is: does that talk convert into trust, loyalty, and sales?

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Controversial ≠ Bad

It’s important to distinguish between controversial names and truly bad names.

• Controversial names are deliberate. They’re edgy, polarising, and designed to signal a strong brand position. They can work if they align with the audience and strategy.
• Bad names are just… bad. They confuse, repel, or make a brand look incompetent. Think Holy Crap cereal. Few people want to start their day saying that out loud.

Controversy can spark conversation. Badness just creates barriers.

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The Risks of Choosing a Bad Name

• Customer alienation: A name that offends or repels reduces adoption.
• Distribution problems: Ben & Jerry’s ice cream got attention, but many supermarkets refused to stock it.
• Perception of incompetence: If you can’t get the name right, what else did you get wrong?
• Cynicism: Customers don’t like to feel manipulated when they realise your “awful” name was just a stunt.

Bad names don’t age well. They may create noise, but rarely long-term equity.

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When Controversy Works

For some niches, controversy or humour can be a feature:

• Pussy Energy Drink leaned into shock value for a young, edgy audience.
• Craft beers often use cheeky names to signal irreverence and culture.
• Streetwear brands thrive on irony, pushing against convention.

But in each case, the controversy fits the brand strategy and target audience. It’s not random—it’s calibrated.

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The Role of Experts

The biggest mistake? Treating naming as a casual joke or PR stunt.

Naming is strategy. It influences investor trust, customer adoption, and long-term growth. That’s why:

• Test your name with real audiences.
• Research cultural and linguistic meanings.
• Understand distribution channels (will retailers stock it?).
• Align with your brand story and values.

A naming expert sees beyond the buzz to the actual business impact.

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Closing Thought

A controversial name can sometimes work—if it’s intentional, researched, and fits your brand. A bad name, however, will always just be a bad name.

At Namudio, we believe names should be more than headlines. They should be assets—built to resonate, to scale, and to create lasting value. Because attention fades fast, but a strong name compounds for decades.