Good Podcast Names
Your podcast name is what gets someone to press play before they've heard a second of your show. Here are 30+ ideas worth using.
Famous Good Podcast Names That Nailed It
Real-world names that became iconic. Here's what makes them work.
One word that works on three levels: serialized storytelling format, the serious tone of a criminal 'serial', and the addictive quality that makes it feel like a series you can't stop consuming. It's the rare podcast name that's both descriptive and conceptually rich.
It's a sentence, not a word — but it tells you exactly what you'll get: the behind-the-scenes story of how successful things were made. The 'I' makes it personal. The open-endedness invites curiosity. Simple premise, perfectly named.
Self-deprecating and warm — it sets up exactly the right expectations. Dax isn't claiming to be an expert; he's an armchair enthusiast exploring ideas with smart guests. The name built a permission structure for wide-ranging conversations before episode one aired.
Tips for Choosing Good Podcast Names
Put your niche in the name or subtitle. 'The Growth Show' is better than 'Conversations with Entrepreneurs' for SEO and discoverability.
Search your exact podcast name on Spotify and Apple Podcasts before committing. If another show already owns that name, reconsider.
Think about how the name looks in a circle thumbnail. That's how podcast artwork is displayed — and some names just don't work in that format.
Avoid generic words like 'conversations', 'talk', and 'show' as the entire name. They're unfindable on their own.
Say the full show title out loud as if you're recommending it to a friend. If it sounds weird, reconsider.
Frequently Asked Questions
A good podcast name is specific enough to attract the right audience, searchable on podcast platforms, easy to say and remember, and gives listeners a clear signal about what they'll get. Generic names like 'The Business Podcast' are both forgettable and unfindable.
For most shows — especially new ones without existing audiences — yes. Including your topic helps with discoverability and sets clear expectations. Once you have an established audience, you can take more abstract naming risks. Start descriptive, get creative later.
Ideally 2-4 words. Short enough to be memorable and displayable in a thumbnail. Long enough to communicate something meaningful. Shows like 'Serial', 'Fresh Air', and 'Radiolab' prove that short names work brilliantly when they're the right word.
Yes, but it affects alphabetical sorting in some directories, which can push your show down lists. 'The Daily' works because it's iconic. For new shows, starting without 'The' often gives you a slight discoverability edge in category browse views.
Absolutely. Consistency across platforms makes you easier to find, share, and promote. Claim your podcast name as a handle on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and YouTube before you launch. Even if you won't use all of them immediately, secure them.
How to Name Your Podcast
Define Your Show Before You Name It
A podcast name is a reflection of a clear show concept. If you're struggling to name it, you might still be unclear on what the show actually is. Nail the concept first, and the name becomes much easier.
Answer these questions: Who is this show for? What will they get from every episode? What makes this show different from the 100 others in your niche?
- Write a one-sentence show description before brainstorming names
- Identify your primary audience and what they search for on podcast apps
- Know your tone: is this show fun and casual, or serious and deep?
- Understand where your show fits in the podcast landscape
Optimize for Discoverability
Podcast discoverability is driven by search on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Including relevant keywords in your title — or at least your subtitle — significantly helps new listeners find you without paid promotion.
- Research what terms your target audience actually searches
- Include your main topic keyword in your title or subtitle
- Check the search results for your potential name on major podcast apps
- Avoid names that compete directly with already-dominant shows
Test the Name in Context
Your podcast name will appear in multiple formats: as text in a directory listing, as artwork in a circle thumbnail, as a recommendation spoken by word of mouth, and as a hashtag on social media. It needs to work in all four.
- Mock up your name in a circular podcast thumbnail
- Say it aloud as a recommendation: 'You should listen to [name]'
- Check how it looks as a hashtag without spaces
- Ask 5 people what kind of show they'd expect from the name
Use a Subtitle Strategically
Your podcast can have a short, memorable title AND a descriptive subtitle. Many successful shows use this structure: a catchy main title plus a subtitle that handles the searchability and clarity requirements.
Examples: 'Hidden Brain: A Conversation About the Unconscious Mind' or 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend'.
- Keep the main title punchy and memorable
- Put your topic keywords and audience signals in the subtitle
- Both title and subtitle are indexed in podcast search
- Keep the subtitle under 10 words
Secure Your Name Across Platforms
Before you publish your first episode, claim your show's identity everywhere. Social media promotion is how most podcasts grow — and consistent handles across platforms make that growth possible.
- Claim your handle on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and YouTube
- Register a domain for your show's website
- Create a dedicated email address for show-related communications
- Set up a RSS feed host account with your chosen show name before launch
Related Categories
Curious about what names mean? Explore Name Meanings →