A mascot’s goal is to be a living expression of what your brand represents. This is accomplished through the character you choose, the colors used, the facial expressions designed and most importantly…the name. Names are a powerful tool when it comes to marketing and when used properly, it can come with great success. Your company, sports team, or school name wasn’t chosen at random, so your mascot’s name shouldn’t be either. It should be memorable and reflect the values you stand for.
Now suddenly what seemed like a fun task is actually quite challenging. You’ve probably heard plenty of naming tips: use alliteration, keep it short, make it unique but familiar, and so on. So how do you come up with a name that does it all? The truth is, it doesn’t need to check every box, it just needs to work for you. To help you get started, we’ve gathered research, examples, and naming strategies to guide you toward a confident choice for your mascot’s name.
You want your mascot to serve as a direct link to your brand and its values. To create this connection, consider choosing a name that aligns with those values.
A great example of this is Cheetos’ mascot, Chester Cheetah, who wasn’t always a cheetah. In the 1970s, Cheetos introduced the Cheetos Mouse as their mascot, since mice are associated with cheese. They tried to brand the mouse as “cool” to match their desired image, but the name and character never created the right association. By the 1980s, the mouse had faded, and Cheetos launched Chester Cheetah in his place. The new name felt cool, passionate, and confident—the exact traits the brand wanted to convey.
Today, Chester is iconic, proving that the right name can make all the difference. Instead of focusing only on what sounds good, think about words that represent your brand’s personality and choose a name that truly embodies those values.
Your mascot doesn’t just represent your brand—it represents the people who love it. Naming your fan base or creating a mascot that reflects your community is a great way to build loyalty and connection.
For example, Reddit’s mascot, a small alien named Snoo, originally appeared as S’new, short for “What’s new?”—a phrase that captures the curiosity and exploration central to Reddit’s identity. Another example is the Phillie Phanatic, mascot for the Philadelphia Phillies MLB team. The Phillies’ fan base has long been described as “fanatical,” so the team embraced that identity in their mascot. His name isn’t a common one… or isn’t really a name for that matter but it’s memorable, distinctive, and meaningful to both the team and its fans.
You also don’t have to specifically name your fans but rather give your mascot a name that is meaningful to your fans. For instance, the Traverse City Pit Spitters collegiate baseball team has a big, blue, furry mascot named Monty. His name might seem kind of random but it actually has deeper meaning behind it. Monty is short for the Montmorency cherries which are commonly grown in the Traverse City area that fans know and love.
Many first names, middle names, and even pet names are chosen to honor someone important. The same idea can apply to mascots—naming them after a person who has made a meaningful impact on your brand or community.
For example, the Chicago Bulls’ mascot, Benny the Bull, was named after Ben Bentley, the team’s first stadium announcer and publicist. To fans, Benny isn’t just a bull but he’s also a tribute to someone who helped shape the team’s history.
One challenge with this approach is that people outside of your fan base might not understand the meaning of the name. To make it more recognizable, try using alliteration and simplicity (like Benny the Bull) or name your mascot after someone widely known in your industry. For instance, the Milwaukee Brewers once had Hank the Ballpark Pup as their unofficial mascot, named after baseball legend Hank Aaron. Sometimes, the best mascot names aren’t ones you invent but they’re ones that already hold meaning and history for you and your brand.
Sometimes a mascot’s name stands out not because of the name itself, but because of the story behind it.
The brand Olipop, for example, features two yeti mascots named Oli and Pop. Two simple names with a charming backstory. Oli and Pop are friends who love spreading holiday cheer, though their plans don’t always go perfectly. Oli’s friendly, energetic spirit and Pop’s warm but perfectionist personality make them an endearing duo, and their story helps customers remember both the characters and the brand.
Another great example is Lucky the Leprechaun from Lucky Charms. His name is simple, but it’s tied to his ongoing adventure of collecting all the lucky charms for his cereal which is a story instantly recognizable to fans of all ages.
If you want your mascot to tell stories that resonate, give them a name that fits naturally into those adventures and reflects the personality you want your brand to share.
If you’re struggling to choose a name, let your customers help. Many famous mascots owe their names to fan input.
For example, Buzz Bee from Honey Nut Cheerios was named by a fifth grader in Texas during a national contest. Bucky Badger (short for Buckingham U. Badger) was voted on by students at the University of Wisconsin. Your fans already have ideas about what represents your company, giving them valuable insight into how your brand’s values are perceived. Inviting them to help name your mascot not only results in a name that feels personal and meaningful but also creates a fun, memorable experience that strengthens their connection to your brand.
When choosing your mascot, you likely consider the qualities it represents. For example, a bear mascot might symbolize strength and loyalty, while an owl represents wisdom. Names work the same way.
The name Maximus gives off a very different impression than Monty. Each name carries its own tone and personality. Below is a list of names and the traits they typically evoke. Sometimes, the best approach is to work backward: decide what you want your mascot’s name to mean first, and then find a name that fits that meaning.
| Characteristic/Trait | Names |
|---|---|
|
Strength |
Valerie, Andrew, Ethan, Liam, Arthur |
|
Intelligent |
Sofia, Elvis, Drew, Saige, Conrad |
|
Sweet |
Lucy, Daisy, Rosie, Beckett |
|
Energetic/Happy |
Felix, Sunny, Asher, Joy, Winston |
|
Love |
Maria, David, Amora, Oscar, Philip |
|
Serious |
Edward, William, Charlotte, Elizabeth |
|
Athletic |
Becky, Caitlin, Naomi, Austin, Brady |
Choosing a name, whether it’s for your school project group, your new dog, or your company is a big decision. Once you pick that name, it becomes part of your identity, and changing it later can be difficult. The same goes for your mascot. Once its name is established, you’ll want to keep it consistent to strengthen your brand’s recognition and personality. So take your time, and once you’ve chosen the perfect name, we’ll take it from there and bring your mascot to life.
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