Podcast & Media Brand Name Ideas: 150 Names for Shows, Networks & Content Brands

Gimlet Media

A gimlet is a small tool for boring holes — and a cocktail. Gimlet Media chose a word that's unexpected, slightly literary, and creates instant curiosity. The name has nothing to do with podcasting, which made it stand out immediately in a sea of '[Something] Radio' and '[Something] Podcast Network' names.

Wondery

Wonder + y — a name that evokes childlike curiosity and storytelling magic. For a true-crime and narrative podcast network, 'Wondery' positions the listening experience as wonder-inducing rather than just informative. The -y suffix makes it warm and informal, reducing the barrier to discovery.

Hardcore History

Does exactly what the best descriptive podcast names do — tells you precisely what you're getting with its first word. 'Hardcore' signals depth, intensity, and non-superficiality. 'History' states the topic. No ambiguity, and yet the name still has personality because 'hardcore' is an unexpected word to put next to 'history'.

How I Built This

A conversational phrase that poses an implicit question — the format IS the brand name. The listener knows they're going to hear stories of how companies were built. The name works because it names the discovery (how something was built) not the topic (business, startups). Guy Raz's phrasing became so synonymous with the format that it became iconic.

99% Invisible

Named after the idea that 99% of design goes unnoticed — perfectly encapsulating the show's thesis in its name. Unusual, specific, slightly mathematical, and memorable for exactly those reasons. A brand name that only works if you understand the thesis, which means the people who get it feel immediately like they belong.

Should a podcast name describe the topic or the feeling?

Both approaches work, but describing the feeling tends to build more loyal audiences. 'Hardcore History' describes topic + intensity. '99% Invisible' describes a philosophy. 'The Long Game' describes a feeling. Topic-descriptive names get discovered more easily but attract more casual listeners. Philosophy-driven names attract deeper, more engaged communities. For a business, the latter builds a more valuable brand.

Does the podcast name matter for Apple/Spotify discoverability?

Yes, more than most creators realise. Apple Podcasts and Spotify use keyword matching in show names and descriptions. Having your core topic keyword in your show name gives you a meaningful discoverability advantage. Balance this with distinctiveness — 'Marketing Made Easy' is keyword-rich but has no brand differentiation, while 'Duct Tape Marketing' is distinctive and still findable.

What's the ideal length for a podcast name?

2-4 words is the sweet spot. Short enough to remember after a single hearing, long enough to convey what the show is about. One-word podcast names ('Revisionist History', 'Radiolab') work for established shows with marketing budgets. For new shows, 3 words that clearly communicate value are more discoverable than clever single words with no category signal.

Should I include my name in the podcast if I'm building a personal brand?

Only if your name already has search volume or you're committed to a personality-led brand long-term. 'The [Your Name] Show' is a valid format if you're building a personal brand, but it limits the show's ability to exist independently of you (for sale, collaboration, or guest co-hosts). Consider 'Show Name with [Your Name]' as an alternative that keeps the show name distinct.