Package Names
A good package name is short, memorable, and installable with zero typos. Here are 30 to spark ideas.
Famous Package Names That Nailed It
Real-world names that became iconic. Here's what makes them work.
A clever evolution of Underscore.js — the 'lo' prefix is playful and the 'dash' nods to the lodash symbol. Memorable, short, and impossible to forget once you've used it.
Short, pronounceable, globally available in npm, and has a quiet meaning that feels appropriate for a reliable HTTP client. It became the go-to name in its space.
One word, evocative of color and writing, perfectly suited to a library that styles terminal output. You immediately understand the vibe even before reading the docs.
Tips for Choosing Package Names
Keep it to one or two syllables. Developers will type this hundreds of times.
Check npm, PyPI, or your target registry first — the name must be available.
Avoid names with hyphens if possible. They're awkward to type and easy to misremember.
Test the import statement: 'import chalk from chalk' sounds better than awkward names.
Search GitHub before publishing — even if the registry name is free, a famous project might own the territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short (1-2 syllables ideally), easy to spell under pressure, globally unique in the registry, and either descriptive or distinctly memorable. The best package names are impossible to forget after one use. Check: can you spell it correctly at 2am after three coffees? That's your test.
It helps but isn't required. Descriptive names like 'date-fns' or 'html-parser' are immediately clear. Abstract names like 'lodash' or 'zod' require discovery but become strongly associated with the library once you know them. Both approaches have produced legendary packages.
For npm: search npmjs.com or run 'npm view [name]'. For PyPI: search pypi.org. For GitHub: check if a repo with that name has significant stars. Being available on one registry doesn't mean the namespace is truly free — always check all three.
Absolutely — and some of the best package names are made-up words or portmanteaus. Webpack, Vite, Zod, Fastify — these are either invented words or words from other languages. The key is that they're easy to spell and pronounce in English.
Scoped packages (@org/name) are increasingly common, especially on npm. They avoid naming conflicts and signal organizational ownership. The tradeoff is slightly more typing. For a major open-source project, a standalone name is still the gold standard.
How to Name Your Software Package
The Short-Name Principle
Every extra syllable is friction. Developers type package names in terminals, import statements, and documentation. The best package names are one or two syllables: chalk, sharp, zod, vite, got, ora. Three syllables is workable. Four or more and you start losing people.
- 1 syllable: chalk, sharp, got, zod, ora
- 2 syllables: axios, lodash, express, babel, webpack
- 3 syllables: prettier, fastify, sequelize
- 4+ syllables: risky territory for adoption
Descriptive vs. Abstract Names
Both strategies have produced legendary packages. Descriptive names tell you what the package does immediately (html-parser, date-utils, file-watcher). Abstract names become associated with the package's quality and personality over time (lodash, chalk, axios). Choose based on your goals.
- Descriptive works best when discoverability in search is critical
- Abstract works best when you're building something with personality and longevity
- Hybrid (slight hint of meaning): Fastify, Prettier, Inquirer
Wordplay and Portmanteaus
The JavaScript and Python ecosystems have a proud tradition of clever package names. Portmanteaus (combining two words), puns, and deliberate misspellings all appear. Some examples: webpack (web + package), eslint (es + lint), prettier (a play on 'pretty'). Clever wordplay makes a name memorable — just make sure it's still easy to spell.
- Portmanteau examples: Webpack, TypeORM, GraphQL
- Playful misspelling: Koa, Deno, Nuxt
- Wordplay: Grunt, Gulp, Yarn — short and evocative
Registry and Availability Checks
A brilliant name that's already taken is worthless. Do availability checks before you get attached. Check your primary registry, GitHub, and social media. Also search for the name combined with your package's purpose — there might be a famous project in the space that owns the term even if the exact registry name is free.
- npm: npmjs.com search + 'npm view [name]'
- PyPI: pypi.org search
- GitHub: search for prominent repos with the name
- Domains: .dev and .io are popular for package sites
Related Categories
Curious about what names mean? Explore Name Meanings →