PayPal, Facebook, and Microsoft all use the same naming technique. Master portmanteaus and you create names that sound familiar immediately - no brand awareness required.
How Portmanteaus Work
Blend two words by overlapping syllables. "Breakfast" + "lunch" = "brunch."
Choose Complementary Words
Pick words that share meaning or sound. PayPal = pay + pal (friendly payment). Pinterest = pin + interest (collecting interests).
The Overlap Point
Find where words share sounds. FedEx = Federal + Express (overlap on "E"). Overlap creates smooth pronunciation.
Test Pronunciation First
Say it 10 times fast. If you stumble, customers will too.
Warning: Bad portmanteaus sound forced. "Marketing" + "Wizard" = "Marketard" creates the wrong associations. Test with strangers first.
UK Examples
Vodafone (voice + data + phone). Caffè Nero (never a portmanteau - just showing contrast). Keep it simple.
Generic Names Can't Be Trademarked
If you want legal protection and a name competitors can't copy, make it distinctive from day one. "PaymentPal" is too generic. "PayPal" is distinctive.