Totally Likeable; Don’t Regret (TL;DR)?
Yes, TL;DR is a pun. In our last blog, we learned what story-time animation really is and why your mindset matters before starting. Today, we’re talking about something just as important – your channel name. By the end of this blog, you’ll know:
- Why your channel name and logo is your brand (and why you must love it), don’t rush it.
- Brainstorm, test, and confirm your name before deciding.
- Be proud of your name – you will be called by it for years!
- Rebranding later can cost you loss of followers.
- How to brainstorm names you won’t regret.
- A good name is short, easy, memorable, and personal.
- The exact method I used to pick my own name.
- Logos can be a symbol, word, or combined type, and colors can help communicate your vibe.
Introduction: Your Channel Name is Your Brand
Your channel name isn’t just a word – it’s your brand. It is what people will know you by, call you by, and search you by. It is how your audience will introduce your channel to their friends.
So, picking a logo and a channel name are one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your YouTube journey. And trust me, you don’t want to rush it.
Why Your Logo and Your Channel Name Matters?
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They are your brand identity – People will connect your logo and name with your videos, style, and personality.
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Changing it later is risky – Rebranding can confuse your followers. Imagine someone looking for you after a logo and name change. They may not recognize you, and you could lose part of your audience.
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It is how people will talk about you – If your name is clunky or hard to spell, you make it harder for people to recommend you.
The Obvious but Overused Choice
Many content creators slap ‘animation‘ or ‘animates‘ after their name. For example: Jaiden Animation, Toby Animates.
That’s fine – but here’s the catch: lots of people have already done that. You want to stand out, not blend in.
Qualities of a Great Channel Name
Your channel name should be:
- Cool – Something you are really proud to say out loud.
- Flexible – Can your audience shorten it? Like: people call me Takzi instead of Takzi Tales.
- Personal – Something that reflects you. If you match Zuko, then do not try to reflect uncle Iroh.
- Short – Easy to type and remember. I struggled at first with this too.
- Simple – No weird spellings or numbers.
Types of Logo
When designing a logo for your channel, there are three main types:
- Symbol Logo: A simple image or icon that represents your brand. For example, a cute cartoon character, a channel mascot or a stylized drawing.
- Word Logo: The name of your channel written in a unique font. For example, ‘TakziTales’ written in a fun, bold style.
- Combined Logo: A mix of symbol + words. For example, A small character or icon next to your channel name
FUNKY FACTS: Cooler colours like blue and green feel calm and friendly; while warmer colors like red, orange, and yellow feel energetic and exciting. Pick based on the vibe you want for your channel.
How to Come Up with Your Logo and Your Channel Name
Here is the method I used – you can copy it step by step:
- Brainstorm 100 names over a week. Yes, a hundred! Write them on paper or chart paper: Include your favorite things, play with rhymes or words that sound fun, and add anything personal that feels right.
- Narrow the list to just 5 names. Ask yourself: Would I be happy if people called me this?
- Pick the top 3 names and test them. Send them to teachers, friends or family. See which one they like the most – it is a good way to double-check.
- Choose the best one. The one that feels natural, fun, and lasting.
Naming options to consider
- Your real name – There are hundreds of thousands of first/last name combos, so chances are your exact name is unique: for example, Its Alex Clark. It is an actual name with a possessive pronoun before.
- A nickname from family/friends – Something that already feels natural. For example: Infamous Swoosh.
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Something personal but fun: A word, object, or phrase you love that feels like the most ‘you:’ like Takzi is from my two favourite things: ‘Taz’ and ‘key’.
However please, for the love of cartoons, do NOT choose names like:
- Barf Animations [Gross and forgettable]
- Xx69wizardofthewildwest69xX [Hard to say, spell, or take seriously]
If you would not be proud to introduce yourself by that name, skip it.
What’s Coming Next
In our next blog, we’ll cover how to create a YouTube channel and Google account [If you don’t have one]. This is where your name becomes official, and your animation journey truly begins.
✨ So, start brainstorming your channel names now—because next week, we’ll set up your YouTube home!