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INC Magazine 500 Names - 1999

An analysis of the names of 1999’s Fastest Growing Companies from INC Magazine’s annual survey provided the results that follow. But first, we should define the naming classifications we used to subdivide the universe. Though not arbitrary, others tackling the same task might use different classifications or interpret the classifications differently than we do here. There’s no right or wrong. Just interesting results. Also, no conclusions.

Name Classifications

Surnames: Probably taken from a family name, but could also include made-up names that carry a certain connotation desirable to the company management.

Geographic: Names taken from a geographic area, city, state, etc. Often a name could just as easily be a surname (Hamilton, Denver, Austin).

Initials/acronyms: These names are the alphabet soup of naming.

Numeric/alphanumeric: Names that contain at least one numeral, perhaps in conjunction with a word or word part.

Description/benefit: Here the names describe or impart a benefit of the product or service rendered by the company. These names most likely begin with an adjective.

Classic/historic: Names referencing mythology or history, usually in the form of a character’s name.

Humorous/whimsical: These lighthearted names speak of themselves.

Sentence/phrase: Multiword names, usually describing the business briefly. There is sometimes humor associated with them as well.

Foreign: An American company adopting a foreign name for effect.

Suggestive/symbolic: These names use “borrowed interest” to impart a positive connotation to their companies. (Think Eagles and Lions)

Arbitrary: Names that are just different (Radish, Blue Tooth)

Coined - combined words: These names are fashioned by combining two words, but keeping both intact.

Coined - fused: Here, the names are made up of two or more syllables from different words.

Coined - tacked/clipped: Names containing uncompleted or clipped common words.

Coined - alternate spelling: Just by spelling one or more words differently, these names become unique even while basking in the original word’s light.

Coined - artificial: These names are synthetic, arrays of letters with no meaning until the company
establishes a meaning through the way they do business.

Survey Results

The pie chart below shows the results of our analysis using the classifications defined above.

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