Podcast Name Ideas (2026): How to Name Your Show Plus Ideas

Naming a podcast feels like it should take five minutes, and then you're three weeks in with a notebook full of crossed-out ideas. The name matters because it's the first thing people see in a podcast app, it sits on your cover art, and it shapes what listeners expect before they press play. A good one tells people what the show's about and is easy to say out loud.

This guide covers how to choose a podcast name, how to check it's free to use, and then gives you lots of podcast name ideas by niche, plus simple formulas you can adapt. Every idea below is one I've made up to spark your thinking. Some may already be in use, so always search before you commit to one.

Clear or clever: picking a podcast name style

Most podcast names fall into a few broad styles. None is right for everyone, but knowing the options makes the choice faster.

• Descriptive names say exactly what the show covers, such as a topic plus an audience. They're easy to find in search and easy to understand at a glance.
• Clever or playful names use a pun, a phrase or a twist. They're memorable but can confuse new listeners, so pair them with a clear subtitle.
• Your own name works well if you're the brand, such as a consultant, coach or author. It's harder to sell or hand over later, though.
• Question or promise names ask something your listener wonders about, or promise a result they want.
• Hybrid names combine a short, catchy title with a descriptive tagline, which often gives you the best of both.

If your show's mostly you talking, my guide on whether you can host a podcast alone is worth reading before you settle on a personal-brand name.

What podcast apps reward in a show name

Apple's guidance for creators says show names, channel names and episode titles should be specific and unique so they can appear in relevant searches. It also advises against names that are too generic or too similar to existing shows, and against using emojis. Apple's content guidelines add that a show's title and description must accurately represent the content, and that shows mustn't mimic other content or search terms.

• Use words your listeners would type, but don't stuff the name with keywords.
• Keep it short enough to read on a small phone screen next to your cover art.
• Avoid emojis, odd symbols and spellings that people won't remember.
• Make sure the name matches what the show delivers, episode after episode.

For more on getting found in podcast apps, my podcast SEO tips cover titles, descriptions and episode names.

Checking a podcast name is free to use

1. Search the name in Apple Podcasts, Spotify and any other podcast app your listeners use.
2. Search it on Google, in quotes, to spot books, businesses or courses with the same name.
3. Check whether the social media handles you want are free on the platforms you'll use.
4. Look up the matching website domain, even if you don't plan to build a site straight away.
5. Run a trademark search in the official trademark database for your country, and speak to a solicitor or trademark attorney for advice about your own situation.
6. Say the name out loud to a few people and ask them to spell it. If they can't, think again.

Need a nudge with wording? My business name generator can help you play with word combinations before you shortlist.

Podcast name ideas for business and marketing shows

These suit founders, consultants, marketers and small business owners. Treat them as starting points, then make them your own.

• The Small Business Shed
• Coffee With Founders
• Marketing Without the Fluff
• Side Hustle to Main Street
• The Owner's Hour
• Notes From the Shop Floor
• Clients and Coffee
• The Growth Notebook
• Brand New Business
• Lunch Break Marketing
• Inbox to Insight Hour
• The Honest Founder

Podcast name ideas for true crime and storytelling

• Cold Case Kitchen Table
• The Quiet Street Files
• Shadows on the Map
• Unsolved by Morning
• Case Notes After Dark
• The Missing Hour
• Whispers in the Archive
• Small Town Secrets Club

Podcast name ideas for comedy and chat shows

• Two Mugs Talking
• Overthinking It Again
• Wrong Answers Only Club
• The Sofa Summit
• Accidental Experts
• Laughing at Lunch
• Questionable Decisions Hour
• Mild Chaos Weekly

Podcast name ideas for health and wellness chats

Keep wellness show names general and avoid promising results. If your show touches on health topics, make it clear that you're sharing conversations and experiences, not medical advice.

• The Slow Morning
• Calm in the Chaos
• Walk and Talk Wellbeing
• Rest Is Allowed
• The Kind Habit
• Breathe and Begin
• Balanced-ish
• Sunday Reset Chats

Podcast name ideas for faith, family and sport

• Faith at the Kitchen Table
• Sunday Thoughts Midweek
• Grace in Ordinary Days
• Parenting in Real Time
• The School Run Chat
• Grandparents Know Things
• From the Touchline
• Extra Time Talk
• The Sunday League Diaries
• Bench to Podium

Podcast name ideas for tech and AI shows

• Plugged In Plainly
• The Gadget Bench
• AI for Ordinary Humans
• Logged On Late
• Code and Coffee Break
• Future Proof-ish
• The Friendly Robot Hour
• Tech Without the Jargon

Formulas for building your own podcast name

If none of the ideas fit, use a formula and fill in the blanks with your own topic and audience.

Formula	Example idea	Works well for
The [Topic] Show	The Garden Office Show	Clear, searchable niches
[Topic] for [Audience]	Marketing for Makers	Shows with a defined listener
[Your name] Talks [Topic]	Sam Talks Small Business	Personal brands
The [Adjective] [Role]	The Curious Founder	Interview shows
[Time or place] + [Topic]	Lunch Break Leadership	Short, regular episodes
A question your listener asks	Is It Just Me?	Chat and advice shows

Write ten versions with each formula, then cross out anything that's hard to say, spell or search.

Podcast naming mistakes that are hard to undo

• Choosing a name so clever that nobody can guess the topic.
• Using a name that's almost identical to a popular show, which confuses listeners and may break app guidelines.
• Tying the name to a trend, a year or a job title you might outgrow.
• Forgetting to check social handles and domains until after launch.
• Picking a name you'll feel awkward saying at the start of every episode.

Once you've chosen, use it consistently. If you're unsure how to style it in writing, my guide on whether to italicise podcast titles covers the basics.

Frequently asked questions

How do I come up with a good podcast name?

Start with your topic and your listener, then try a few styles: descriptive, playful, your own name or a question. Shortlist names that are easy to say, spell and search, then check nobody already uses them.

Should my podcast name include keywords?

It helps when the name naturally includes words your listeners search for. Apple advises specific, unique names and warns against using inaccurate terms to influence search, so don't stuff it with keywords.

Can I use my own name as my podcast name?

Yes, and it works well for consultants, coaches and authors. Bear in mind it's harder to hand the show to someone else later, and adding a descriptive tagline helps new listeners.

How do I check if a podcast name is taken?

Search podcast apps, Google, social media handles and domain names. For trademark questions, search your national trademark database and ask a solicitor or attorney about your own situation.

Can I change my podcast name later?

You can usually change the title in your hosting account or RSS feed, and Apple says updates are picked up automatically. A change can confuse existing listeners, though, so it's worth choosing carefully first.