Which name generator is best? We tested them blind.
12 business ideas, 6 generators, 960 names and domains. Two AI judges scored every one without knowing which tool made it.
The result
- Domain search
- 7 of 10
- top domains scored 70+ and were ready to register. Next best: Namelix, 3 of 10.
- Name search
- 11 of 12
- ideas where our names scored highest. Both judges agree.
Tested October 14, 2026
Download every score (CSV)Domain search
The first 10 domains each tool showed for each idea. We checked every one with Namecheap on October 14, 2026. Under the chart: each tool's average score, 0 to 100, ranked, and its other results.
| # | Tool | Score | 70+ | Ready | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nametastic | 75±3 | 77% | 7 | 11 |
| 2 | Namelix | 62±3 | 32% | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Instant Domain Search | 35±4 | 2% | 0.1 | 0 |
| 4 | Lean Domain Search | 22±3 | 0% | 0 | 0 |
Score: the average, 0 to 100, ± its 95% range. 70+: the share that scored 70 or more. Ready: of the first 10 domains, how many scored 70+ and were free at the normal price. Won: ideas, of 12, where it scored highest.
Ready to register means available at the normal price. Premium-priced domains don't count.
Name search
The first 10 names each tool showed for each idea. Under the chart: each tool's average score, 0 to 100, ranked, and its other results.
| # | Tool | Score | 70+ | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nametastic | 72±3 | 64% | 11 |
| 2 | Shopify | 49±4 | 8% | 0 |
| 3 | Namelix | 41±4 | 3% | 0 |
| 4 | Looka | 29±5 | 1% | 0 |
Score: the average, 0 to 100, ± its 95% range. 70+: the share that scored 70 or more. Won: ideas, of 12, where it scored highest.
Guests get a faster model. Their names averaged 57, still ahead of every other tool.
One idea, four tools
The first three domains each tool showed for this idea, and their scores.
“Sustainable candle company with soy wax and hand-poured scents, sold to small gift shops”
Nametastic
- hearthmoss.com85
- balmwick.com78
- emberwane.com68
Namelix
- candlestalgia.com56
- alchemicalcandles.com65
- littlewickcandles.com81
Instant Domain Search
- queencandle.com53
- candlepillow.com32
- candlefeast.com49
Lean Domain Search
- candletechy.com14
- techycandle.com16
- chatcandle.com22
How we tested
- Twelve ideas: six of one or two words, like bakery or dog grooming, and six full sentences. People type both.
- Every tool ran on its default settings, and we took the first results it showed. Tools that only take keywords got the idea's main words.
- Our searches ran on October 14, 2026 with the same code as this site.
- Two judges from two companies: Claude Opus 5.5 from Anthropic and GPT-6.1 from OpenAI. Our names come from Claude, so the second judge checks that Claude isn't just picking its own.
- Each judge saw the idea and every tool's results mixed and shuffled, never which tool made which. It scored each list twice, in a different order.
- A score is the average of all four, from 0 to 100. We count 70 or more as a good name.
- Winning 11 of 12 ideas by luck would happen about 3 times in 1,000 (a sign test). Over the 12 ideas, our names lead Shopify by 16 to 29 points and our domains lead Namelix by 8 to 17, with 95% confidence.
- The two judges agree closely: their scores correlate at 0.92 for names and 0.94 for domains.
The 12 ideas
Typed into every tool exactly like this.
- photography studio
- bakery
- ai agents
- dog grooming
- coffee shop
- landscaping
- Wedding and elopement photographer in Colorado for adventurous couples, natural light
- Sustainable candle company with soy wax and hand-poured scents, sold to small gift shops
- App that helps busy parents plan healthy family dinners in 15 minutes
- Bookkeeping firm for freelance designers and small creative agencies
- Streetwear clothing brand inspired by skateboarding and 90s video games
- Home cleaning service using non-toxic products for young families
What this test can't tell you
- The judges are AI models, not people. They agreed closely with each other, but people may weigh names differently.
- Each tool ran once per idea. Run them again and the names change.
- We built and ran this test ourselves. That's why every name, domain and score is in the file, so you can check it.
- Domains change hands every day. One that was free on October 14, 2026 may be taken now.
Try it on your ideaDescribe your business in a few words. We find names and check their domains live.
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