iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Choose an app name that is distinctive for what the app actually does, easy for people to remember and use, and clear of confusingly similar marks. In the United States, that means assessing both the name’s trademark strength and the risk that consumers could mistake your app for another source—not just checking whether the exact wording or a matching domain is available.
Start with what your app offers
Trademark strength and conflict risk depend on the goods or services associated with a name. Before brainstorming, describe what the app does, who it serves, and what products or services you will offer under the brand. A name cannot be evaluated in isolation: another mark may matter if consumers could think its owner is also behind your app, even when the offerings are not identical.
This guidance is U.S.-focused and explains a screening process, not the availability or registrability of any particular candidate. A specific assessment requires the proposed name, the relevant goods or services, and the filing jurisdiction.
Choose a distinctive name people can use
The USPTO groups marks into a spectrum of distinctiveness. Fanciful, arbitrary, and suggestive marks are generally stronger; descriptive marks are weaker, and a generic term for the goods or services cannot function as a trademark for them. The categories turn on how the wording relates to the actual offering, not simply whether it sounds unusual. See the USPTO guidance on strong trademarks.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Fanciful: A coined term with no ordinary meaning before it is used as a mark.
- Arbitrary: An existing word used for goods or services unrelated to its ordinary meaning.
- Suggestive: Wording that hints at a quality or feature but requires some imagination to connect it to the offering.
- Descriptive: Wording that directly describes a feature, quality, or characteristic of the offering.
- Generic: The common name for the goods or services themselves; it cannot identify one source for those goods or services.
Adding a generic app descriptor to descriptive wording does not, by itself, make the brand distinctive. For naming purposes, favor candidates that can identify your app’s source rather than merely tell users what category it belongs to.
Legal strength is only one consideration. Choose wording that your intended users can remember, pronounce, and spell. If you plan to market the app internationally, consider what the name means in relevant foreign languages as well.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Compare candidates on two separate questions
A candidate can be distinctive yet still create a conflict with an existing mark. Conversely, a candidate may have few apparent conflicts but be weak because it describes the app. Evaluate these issues separately:
Recommended Free Tools
| Question | What to assess |
|---|---|
| How distinctive is it? | Whether the wording is fanciful, arbitrary, suggestive, descriptive, or generic for the app’s actual goods or services. |
| Could it conflict? | Whether similar marks are live or still in use, and whether consumers could associate the marks’ goods or services with one source. |
| Will it work as a name? | Whether the intended audience can remember, pronounce, and spell it; for international launches, consider foreign-language meanings. |
Do not let a strong score on one question stand in for the others. Distinctiveness and clearance answer different questions about a candidate.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Search for more than an exact match
Search the USPTO’s federal trademark system for each candidate and meaningful variants. A conflict is not limited to identical spelling: assess similarities in sound, appearance, meaning, and overall commercial impression. Also review the records’ goods and services and their status. The USPTO says to focus mainly on live marks, while not entirely disregarding dead marks that may still be in use. Its federal trademark searching guidance explains the process.
International class numbers are useful for organizing goods and services, but they do not decide whether two offerings are related. Goods or services in different classes can still be related if consumers might assume they come from the same source. Consider the relationship between the offerings and likely consumer perception, not just whether the class numbers match. The USPTO explains this in its guidance on likelihood of confusion.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
A federal database search is essential, but it is not the whole clearance process. The USPTO recommends considering state trademark databases and internet use as well. A domain-name check or business-name search alone does not establish trademark clearance. See why the USPTO recommends searching for similar trademarks.
Use a practical clearance workflow
- Define the offering. Write down what the app does and the goods or services you will provide under the name.
- Generate distinctive candidates. Prefer wording that is fanciful, arbitrary, or suggestive for the offering over descriptive or generic wording.
- Check usability. Consider whether people can remember, pronounce, and spell each candidate. For an international audience, consider foreign-language meanings.
- Search federal records. Look up the candidate and meaningful variants. Compare sound, appearance, meaning, and commercial impression; review the goods and services and record status.
- Search beyond the federal database. Check state trademark databases and internet use. Do not treat an available domain or business name as proof of trademark availability.
- Get advice when the stakes warrant it. If potential conflicts appear or the launch is consequential, consider asking a U.S.-licensed trademark attorney to conduct a comprehensive search and interpret the results.
Understand what a search cannot promise
No search result guarantees that the USPTO will register a mark or that using it will be free of disputes. The USPTO conducts its own federal search during examination, and a conflict may lead to refusal or suspension. Other disputes can include opposition, cancellation, or infringement litigation. The agency describes broader clearance and the limits of searching in its comprehensive clearance search guidance.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
A search is evidence to consider, not a legal all-clear. The USPTO suggests considering a private trademark attorney to search and help assess results, particularly when a potential conflict is hard to interpret or the business consequences of a mistake would be significant. Federal, state, and internet searches each cover different parts of the picture.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
