How to Choose a Blog Name
After abandoning the title Don’t Read This, You’ll Only Encourage Him! I did what any creative guy would do: polled my Facebook friends for steal-able ideas. “I need a name that represents more than just one aspect of my endlessly intriguing personality,” I humbly explained (you see how I am?).
The minute my friend Barb suggested Mitchellaneous (her long-time nickname for me), virtually all of my other friends agreed that it was perfect. I liked it too! However, Mitchellaneous wasn’t as thematically specific as, say, Kenny’s World of Ferrets. So I decided I’d also need a subtitle, one that would indicate the site featured stories with meaningful messages.
I happily began the process of acquiring my URL. But I was shocked to learn that the name “Mitchellaneous” had already been taken — by a blog site featuring graphic bestiality and child pornography! (Yes, I alerted WordPress, and it was eventually removed.) A number of other perfectly innocent people have also used the title, including a Canadian writer named Mitchell Toews. In fact, even though his name is not that similar to mine, it pops up every time I Google my name–which I now do every month or two for security reasons (and because I like to see my name in print).
So I abandoned Mitchellaneous as a site title, but as an homage re-labeled my Miscellaneous Category “Mitchellaneous.” Then, disappointed and a little daunted, I went back to the drawing board. What name could I give my blog that was completely unique, as well as—new concern—safe? One that no one else on earth was using?
Suddenly, there it was, staring me in the face. Every time I logged on to Facebook. Every time I handed my driver’s license to a policeman: “No, officer, I’m sure the light was just a very orangey yellow.” It was the name no one else in this version of the multiverse has. It was–drum roll, cymbal crash–
My name.
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I knew I was going to attempt a cartoon/humor blog and I picked a name to pique a potential visitor’s interest and also that the name would offer a challenge to the reader. It then became a self challenge to produce and further qualify the name. I can do political but chose not to get involved with that because no matter what theme you might endorse , you are garanteeing you’ll lose at least half your readershi and then the other half as well.
I like the title mitchellaneous … if the objectionable site is gone steal it… then I thought perhaps my title should change to “YouDonthaveToGoHome-JustGOFORTHfromHere” … that’s a little long for a dot com …
At first, I thought “Goforth” was a phrase, rather than your actual name, Jim, a sort of reference to God telling you to “go forth.” It’s an unusual last name, and yet, to my surprise, I’ve recently connected with another blogger named Goforth!
Yep real last night … as a Concert Artist, Evangelist, and Pastor people have asked if a stage name, but no REAL name. It is uncommon but a few everywhere … There are Scottish and Cherokee Goforths… we are told ours is Cherokee
Yes—blog names need deep think. I chose Cricket Muse being Cricket is a nickname and I am always pondering. Becoming a published author meant creating a searchable website, hence the reveal to my name. How about: Mitchevious: a collection of shenanigans and thoughts
;>)
A blog name should be catchy, one easy to remember. I chose my blog name, Notes From The Cactus Patch because at the time, I lived in Georgetown Texas and was surrounded by Cacti, Junipers, and some pesky Rattlesnakes, Coyotes and Deer.
I liked your blog name right from the start, Phil!
Thanks, Mitch. Brothers in arms through music and all that goes with it.
If the blog name Mitch Teemley has been successful, it’s wise not to change it. 🙂
I named my blog after my gravatar, which acquired its name when I made an offhand snarky remark to someone about my not being the bluebird of happiness. I’m in awe of people who actually put prolonged serious thought into these things.
I share your search.
I share my real name with a fairly well-known French author. If I ever publish for real I’ve decided to go ahead and use this pseudonym which is at least unique.
GAWD! *Cliffhanger* “Mitchellaneous would have been awesome!
Hats off, pal
I thought Mitchellaneous was pretty clever and funny, but I’ll see what you come up with
Hmmm … Curiouser and Curiouser
;>)
I think it was a terrific name, although taken, Mitch.
Mitch! I think you are a Godly man. Beyond writer……▶️💐
That’s so kind of you to say, Ramani.
You made the right choice!
Thanks, Neil!
Hahaha. Don’t you hate it when you have a brilliant idea only to find others had the same? All the best to you, Mitch.
Thanks, Mary!
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Before picking “Darkened Glass Reflections” for my blog’s title, I was going to call it “Through a Glass Darkly.” Unfortunately, someone already beat me to it.
A few months later the title “Darkened Glass Reflections” jumped into my head while I was adding a picture of a stained glass window to an article where I was “reflecting” on the meaning of a Bible passage. This time, nobody beat me to it, so I acted as quickly as possible to nail down the title and URL.
(I don’t think using my name would have worked. A Google search for “Michael E. Lynch” calls up a bunch of highly successful professionals and academics, but not me.)
;>)
Ha, that name “Mitchellaneous” would have been perfect ― kind of how the light bulb went on for me when I changed the name of my blog from “Scribblings” or whatever it used to be to “Viscosity” instead. Shame the name was already being used for, uh, unsavory purposes. It kind of reminds me of how my first publisher, DarkTales.com, went under, and their domain was eventually purchased by an interracial porn site, which required me to remove a bunch of links from my page …
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