Look, everyone’s trying to find a side hustle that actually works. You’ve probably seen the usual suspects: dropshipping, print-on-demand, affiliate marketing. But here’s one most people aren’t talking about yet—using AI to generate and sell business names.
You don’t need design skills. You don’t need inventory. You don’t even need clients knocking down your door on day one.
What you need is a system that works, and I’m about to show you exactly how to build it.
TL;DR: Making Money with AI Business Names
The opportunity: Businesses need names. They’ll pay $50-$500+ for good ones. AI tools like ChatGPT, Namelix, and Brandmark can generate dozens of options in minutes.
The simple version:
- Use AI naming tools (5-10 minutes per batch) to create 20-50 unique business name options
- Sell on platforms like Fiverr ($25-$100/name), Upwork ($50-$300/project), or naming contest sites like SquadHelp ($50-$500/win)
- Scale with packages that include domain checks, logo concepts, and branding guidelines
Time investment: 2-5 hours/week can generate $200-$1,000/month. Full-time? Top earners make $3,000-$5,000+ monthly.
Real costs: $0 to start (free AI tools exist), or $20-$50/month for premium features and domain checking tools.
This works if you actually do it.
No complex skills required—just consistency and a system that delivers results faster than traditional naming agencies.
Why This Side Hustle Actually Makes Sense
Understand this, every single day, thousands of businesses launch.
Every one needs a name.
And most founders? They’re terrible at naming their own companies.
They overthink it.
They get stuck.
They waste weeks brainstorming when they should be building their product. That’s your opportunity.
The math is simple:
- Traditional branding agencies charge $5,000-$50,000 for naming projects
- Small businesses can’t afford that
- You position yourself as the fast, affordable alternative
- AI does 90% of the heavy lifting
Pain points you’re solving:
- Time: Founders spend 2-4 weeks on naming. You deliver in 24-48 hours.
- Cost: Agencies are expensive. You charge $50-$300.
- Complexity: Most people don’t know where to start. You bring structure.
- “Will this actually work?” You provide domain availability, trademark guidance, and multiple options.
The best part? Your competition is either charging too much or delivering garbage quality. You’re the sweet spot.
The Tools You Actually Need To Make Money with AI Business Names
Stop overcomplicating this. Here’s your tech stack:
AI Business Name Generators
ChatGPT (Free / $20/month for Plus)
- Best for: Custom, creative names with context
- How to use: Give it detailed prompts like “Generate 20 business names for a sustainable fashion brand targeting millennials, focusing on eco-friendly materials”
- Pro tip: Iterate. If the first batch is weak, tell it what you didn’t like
Namelix (Free)
- Best for: Short, brandable names
- How to use: Enter keywords, set name length preferences, get AI-generated options
- The algorithm learns your style over time
Shopify Name Generator (Free)
- Best for: E-commerce businesses
- Instantly checks domain availability
Brandmark (Free basic / $25+ for full packages)
- Best for: Names + instant logo mockups
- Creates complete visual identity concepts
Domain & Trademark Checking
Namecheap (Free search)
- Check if .com domains are available
- Usually $10-$15 to register if your client wants it immediately
USPTO Trademark Search (Free)
- Always check before finalizing a name
- Saves your clients from legal nightmares
Freelance Marketplaces
Fiverr
- Easiest to start
- List gigs at $25-$100
- 20% platform fee (you keep 80%)
Upwork
- Higher-paying clients
- 10% platform fee (better than Fiverr)
- Requires building proposals
SquadHelp / NamingForce
- Naming contests
- Win $50-$500 per contest
- More competitive but higher payouts
Your Step-by-Step System to Start Making Money Selling Business Names
Let’s get tactical. This is the exact process I’d use if starting today.
Week 1: Set Up Your Foundation (3-5 hours)
Day 1-2: Test AI tools (2 hours)
- Generate 100 names across different industries
- Learn what works, what sounds generic
- Save your favorites in a spreadsheet
Day 3-4: Create your service packages (1 hour)
- Basic Package ($25-$50): 10 business names + domain availability check
- Standard Package ($75-$150): 20 names + domain check + 3 rounds of revisions
- Premium Package ($200-$300): 30 names + domain check + trademark guidance + basic logo concepts + brand positioning statement
Day 5: Set up on ONE platform (2 hours).
Start with Fiverr—it’s the fastest way to get your first sale. Create one gig with clear deliverables and examples.
Week 2-4: Get Your First Clients (5-10 hours/week)
Strategy 1: Naming Contests (1-2 hours daily)
- Join SquadHelp or NamingForce
- Submit 10-15 names per contest
- Focus on 3-5 active contests at a time
- Use AI to generate ideas, but add your own creative spin
Strategy 2: Direct Freelance Sales
- Update your Fiverr/Upwork profile daily
- Offer your first 5 clients a 50% discount for reviews
- Respond to every inquiry within 2 hours
- Over-deliver on your first 10 projects
Time estimate per project:
- Research & brief understanding: 15 minutes
- AI generation: 10 minutes (50-100 options)
- Filtering & refining: 20 minutes
- Domain checking: 10 minutes
- Packaging deliverables: 10 minutes
- Total: 60-75 minutes per project
At $100/project, that’s $75-$100/hour. Not bad for a side hustle.
Month 2-3: Scale Your Income (10-15 hours/week)
Add services that increase value:
- Logo design partnerships (use Brandmark or partner with designers)
- Social media handle checks
- Brand positioning statements
- Tagline generation
- Complete brand packages ($500-$1,000)
Industry-specific positioning:
- “I specialize in tech startup names”
- “Expert in restaurant and food brand naming”
- “Sustainable business naming consultant”
Specialists charge 2-3x more than generalists.
Client acquisition channels:
- r/entrepreneur on Reddit (offer free value, get DMs)
- LinkedIn posts about naming strategies
- Twitter threads on brand positioning
- Cold outreach to businesses on Crunchbase with generic names
The Costs
Starting with $0:
- Use free versions of ChatGPT, Namelix, Shopify Name Generator
- List on Fiverr (no upfront cost)
- Enter naming contests (no entry fee)
- Realistic first month: $100-$300
Investing $20-$50/month:
- ChatGPT Plus ($20) for faster, better responses
- Namecheap domain searches (free, but consider buying domains to resell)
- Canva Pro ($13) for better logo mockups
- Realistic first month: $300-$800
Going harder with $100-$200/month:
- All the above
- Paid ads on social media
- Premium Upwork proposals
- Brandmark subscriptions for full packages
- Realistic first month: $800-$2,000
The truth? Most people who fail at this never get past week 1. They sign up, don’t see immediate results, and quit. Don’t be that person.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Success
Mistake #1: Using AI with zero human editing.
AI generates solid ideas but often lacks nuance. If you send clients raw AI output, they’ll notice. Add your own creative layer.
Mistake #2: Not checking domain availability.
Delivering names with unavailable domains is amateur hour. Always check. Always.
Mistake #3: Competing on price alone.
Don’t be the cheapest. Be the fastest with the best quality. Charge accordingly.
Mistake #4: Ignoring trademarks.
If a client’s name gets them sued, you’re done. Always run trademark searches for premium packages.
Mistake #5: Not specializing.
“I name anything for anyone” doesn’t work. Pick an industry. Become known for it.
Your Next Steps (Do This Today)
Stop reading. Start doing.
Action items for the next 24 hours:
- Choose ONE AI tool and generate 50 business names right now (30 minutes)
- Sign up for Fiverr and create your first gig (45 minutes)
- Join SquadHelp and browse 5 active contests (20 minutes)
- Set a goal: “I will land my first paid client within 14 days”
Action items for the next 7 days:
- Submit to 15 naming contests
- Respond to 10 Upwork job posts
- Share a free “10 naming tips” post on LinkedIn or Reddit
- Generate 200 names to build your creative muscle
Action items for the next 30 days:
- Land 5 paying clients
- Get 3 five-star reviews
- Refine your service based on feedback
- Raise your prices by 25%
Will This Actually Work for You?
This isn’t passive income.
It’s not “set it and forget it.” It’s a real service business that requires consistency.
You’ll succeed if:
- You treat this like a business, not a lottery ticket
- You deliver quality consistently
- You price yourself correctly (not too cheap, not delusional)
- You’re willing to iterate based on feedback
- You commit to 90 days minimum before judging results
You’ll fail if:
- You expect money overnight
- You send generic, AI-only garbage to clients
- You ghost clients or miss deadlines
- You give up after the first rejection
The opportunity is real. AI-powered naming services are disrupting an industry that used to be reserved for expensive agencies. Small businesses finally have affordable access to professional naming.
You can be the person who provides it—or you can keep looking for the next “easier” side hustle that doesn’t exist.
Your move.
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