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"Lumia" Means "Prostitute"? For Product Names, Sometimes Other Meanings Don't Matter

When Nokia announced its Lumia product family, there was a big fuss when someone pointed out that "lumia" supposedly meant "prostitute" in Spanish. But does it matter? READ»

It's Not Natural, It's Just Simple: Food Branding Co-Opts Another Meaningless Word

What do you call foods which aren't organic, which may not be natural, and which might not even be good for you? It's simple.READ»

No Boom, No Rush, No Difference: The .com Domain Will Still Rule

Vanity top-level domains will soon be available for those with $185k to spend. Will it change the domain landscape?READ»

The -'s of Google+

We're all told to jazz up our passwords with non-alphanumeric characters, but by jamming a "+" in Google+, Google has opened a big can of marketing worms.READ»

Salad Makes You Fat: It's Not What It's Called, It's What It's Made Of

Salads are supposed to be good for you and make you feel virtuous for eating them. But does the word "salad" mean what we think it means?READ»

Going Really Green: The Nissan Leaf Hybrid And Other Electric Cars

Do the names of electric cars tell us about what we have or what we want? And where are the flying cars they promised us?READ»

Do-It-Yourself Naming: 5 Must-Read Tips

Need to name your company or product? Here are 5 must-read tips to help you find the right name.READ»

CalFresh Is Totally Better Than Food Stamps: Rebranding Government Programs

Food Stamps in California have been rebranded to CalFresh. What other state programs should get a new, fresh name?READ»

But It Won't Help Them Win Games: ARCO Arena Is Now Power Balance Pavilion

Sacramento's Power Balance Pavilion isn't the first stadium that wishes it had another name.READ»

Your New Victrola iPod: Do Brand Name Auctions Make Sense?

Recently a number of classic brand names were auctioned off. Is it really possible to invest new meaning--and new products--into old brands?READ»

Just Like Grouper Fish: Coupon Sites Devour Everything

If you've signed up for a coupon site, you're hooked. Just like everyone else.READ»

Names We Loved - and Loved to Hate - in 2010

Like all good bloggers, I have a professional obligation to look back at the year that was and summarize the highs and lows of my particular area of expertise--that is, naming. So, my colleagues at Catchword and I put together a rundown of names that made the headlines in 2010. READ»

Have Cowl, Will Travel Around the World: Batman Incorporated (Part 2)

With plans in the current DC storyline to have Batman Inc. go worldwide, I thought we'd see if this is really feasible--that is, do bats have the same connotations around the world as they do in the U.S.? And if the bat isn't the right symbol in, say, China, what animal might serve?READ»

Have Cowl, Will Travel Around the World: Batman Incorporated (Part 1)

DC Comics has just introduced the idea that Batman may go global (within the DC world, of course). What would truly international Batmen look like?READ»

More Must Be Better: High Definition Invades a Product Near You

HDTV is awesome, but do we really need HD dentistry?READ»

Positive to Negative to Positive: Rebranding California Food Stamps

Can a new name remove some of the stigma from California's food stamp program?READ»

Brand Vigilante: Someone Stole My Name on Twitter

Your name is your brand online. Don't let someone steal your personal equity!READ»

Windows Phone 7: This Name Does Not Sing to Me

Windows Phone 7 asks: Are operating system names going to steal the cell phone spotlight?READ»

I Cannot Lie: Levi's and Old Navy Got Back

Denim for women is all about the fit--how it fits your butt. How do two very different companies sell the same idea?READ»

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Don't Bogart That Name: Medical Marijuana Trademarks

With the possible legalization of marijuana in California, will we be inundated with branding, or will Acapulco Gold stay in the public domain?READ»