Board Game Names
A great board game name sparks curiosity, hints at the experience inside the box, and makes shoppers reach for it on the shelf.
Famous Board Game Names That Nailed It
Real-world names that became iconic. Here's what makes them work.
A single powerful word that immediately communicates the theme and stakes — players cooperate to stop a global disease outbreak — before opening the box
Evocative and beautiful — the word 'wingspan' suggests the scope and grace of the bird theme while hinting at the game's expansive, soaring nature
Now simply 'Catan,' this name invented a place ('Catan') and attached an activity ('settling') to immediately establish theme and player role
Tips for Choosing Board Game Names
The best board game names are evocative — they paint a picture or stir a feeling before you know anything about the rules.
Consider your game's genre: strategy games suit serious, weighty names; party games suit playful, punny names; adventure games suit epic, world-building names.
One or two-word names are most marketable — they look great on box covers, fit in conversation, and are easy to search for online.
Test your name with non-gamers as well as gamers — a name that confuses people outside the hobby may limit your market.
Avoid names that are already claimed by popular games — the board game community has a long memory, and similarity to a famous title can generate negative attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
A good board game name is evocative, memorable, thematically appropriate, and distinctive in the marketplace. It should make potential players curious about what's inside.
Start with your game's core experience, theme, and tone. List words associated with each, then combine, shorten, and refine until you find something that feels right and is available.
Not necessarily — some of the best game names (Pandemic, Wingspan) hint at theme rather than mechanics. But mechanic-hinting names can work well for abstracts and party games.
Search the USPTO database for conflicts, then file a trademark application under International Class 028 (games and playthings). Consider consulting an IP attorney for significant commercial releases.
Strategy games: serious, weighty nouns (Dominion, Twilight Imperium). Party games: fun, punny (Codenames, Exploding Kittens). Adventure games: epic, place-like (Gloomhaven, Betrayal at House on the Hill).
How to Name Your Board Game
Start With the Core Experience
Match Tone to Genre
Invent or Evoke a World
Keep It Short and Visual
Test It in the Wild
Related Categories
Curious about what names mean? Explore Name Meanings →