Podcast name ideas: 80 examples and how to choose yours

A podcast name has to work in a split second: on a thumbnail, in a search result, in a friend's recommendation. It does not have to be clever, but it has to be clear and yours. Below are the qualities of a good name, seven formulas that produce one, 80 examples to spark ideas, and how to check that your choice is free.

What makes a good podcast name?

A good podcast name is clear, short, easy to say and available. Run every candidate through these questions:

• Clear: does a stranger get a sense of the topic or the audience?
• Short: can you say it in one breath and read it on a small thumbnail?
• Easy to say and spell: could someone type it after hearing it once?
• Distinct: is it different enough from shows people already know?
• Durable: will it still fit if the show grows or changes direction slightly?
• Available: are the name, a domain and social handles free?

Which formulas produce a good podcast name?

Most strong names come from one of seven formulas. Try each with your topic and see which feels right.

1. The audience: name the people the show is for. Pattern: [Audience] + [noun], such as "First-Time Founders" or "The Broker's Table".
2. The promise: name the result listeners get. Pattern: [Verb] + [result], such as "Close With Confidence" or "Sell the Story".
3. The place: anchor the show in a city or region. Pattern: [Place] + [topic], such as "South Florida Builders" or "Las Olas Live".
4. The format: say how the show works. Pattern: [Number or format] + [topic], such as "Ten Minute Money" or "Founder Q&A".
5. Your name: for shows built on a personal brand. Pattern: [Name] + [descriptor], such as "The Maria Lopez Show: Money for Founders".
6. A metaphor: a vivid image linked to the topic. Pattern: [Object or image], such as "Open House" for real estate or "The Long Game" for investing.
7. Your phrase: a line you say often that captures your point of view, such as "Do It Scared" or "Make It Make Sense".

Podcast name ideas by type

These 80 examples show the formulas in action. Use them as starting points, not as finished names: someone may already use any of them, so always check before you choose.

Business and founder podcasts

1. Founder Notes
2. The Second Year
3. Built in Broward
4. Payroll and Pivots
5. The Small Team Advantage
6. Margins and Mondays
7. The Hiring Table
8. Owner's Hour
9. Profit Before Polish
10. Behind the Invoice
11. The Bootstrapped Week
12. Customer First, Coffee Second

Real estate podcasts

13. Closing Table
14. The Listing Hour
15. Open House Radio
16. Keys and Coffee
17. South Florida Square Feet
18. The Buyer's Brief
19. Under Contract
20. The Rate Room
21. Curb to Closing
22. Neighborhood Notes

Coach and expert podcasts

23. Ten Minute Clarity
24. The Practice Room
25. Ask the Specialist
26. Small Steps, Big Shifts
27. The Coach's Chair
28. Straight Answers
29. The Method Show
30. Office Hours With [Your Name]
31. One Question Deeper
32. The Reset Session

Creator and lifestyle podcasts

33. Off Script
34. Late Lunch
35. The Group Chat
36. Unfiltered Hours
37. Golden Hour Talks
38. The Side Quest
39. Overthinking It Together
40. Camera Shy
41. Second Coffee
42. Plot Twist Pod

Local South Florida podcasts

43. Broward Bites
44. The 954 Table
45. Miami to Lauderdale
46. Sunshine State of Mind
47. Riverwalk Conversations
48. Downtown Lauderdale Live
49. The I-95 Commute
50. Seaside Startups

Interview podcasts

51. Two Chairs
52. The Long Answer
53. People Worth Meeting
54. First Job, Last Lesson
55. The Origin Episode
56. What I Wish I Knew
57. Pull Up a Chair
58. The Turning Point
59. Paths In
60. Ten Questions Later

Co-hosted and conversational podcasts

61. Two Takes
62. Agree to Disagree
63. Same Couch, Different Views
64. Between Us
65. The Debrief
66. Both Sides of the Mic
67. Halftime Talk
68. The Roundtable Hour
69. Unpacked
70. Overtime

Niche and hobby podcasts

71. Gear Talk Tuesday
72. The Sourdough Diaries
73. Saltwater Weekends
74. The Bookshelf Hour
75. Court Side Notes
76. The Restoration Room
77. Mileage and Maps
78. Garden Variety
79. Game Film
80. The Collector's Corner

How do you test a podcast name before you commit?

Test the shortlist with real people before you design artwork. Five quick tests:

1. The phone test: say the name to someone over the phone and ask them to spell it.
2. The memory test: mention three names in conversation and ask the next day which one they remember.
3. The thumbnail test: put the name on a small square image and look at it at phone size.
4. The sentence test: say "I was just on [name]" or "Have you heard [name]?" and see if it sounds natural.
5. The 50-episode test: imagine the name on episode 50. Does it still fit if the show has grown?

How do you check whether a name is taken?

Search before you fall in love with a name. Check these places:

• Podcast apps: Apple Podcasts and Spotify search.
• YouTube: channel names and playlists, especially for a video podcast.
• Google: the exact name in quotes.
• Domain and handles: a matching web address and social media handles.
• Trademarks: for a business show, a search of the USPTO trademark database. This is general information, not legal advice.

Which naming mistakes should you avoid?

Avoid these five patterns:

• Inside jokes that only you and your co-host understand.
• Hard spelling, such as invented words or creative misspellings.
• Names that box you in, like a year or a narrow topic you may outgrow.
• Generic words alone, such as "The Podcast" or "Talks", which are impossible to find.
• Copying a known show's name with one word changed.

What comes after the name?

With a name chosen, the next steps are artwork, a short description and the first episodes. Our guide on how to start a podcast walks through every step, the list of podcast ideas helps plan episodes, and the podcast script template gives you an intro that says the name with confidence.

When you are ready to record the first episodes on camera, The Cast Studio in Fort Lauderdale has six sets and rents by the hour, from $199.