Naming your podcast might be one of the most important steps to starting one. It’s the thing people see first and it’ll likely be with you as long as the show exists. As a result, it can be really hard to do right. In this article, we are going to help you think about how to do it right.
Before we start, a disclaimer: this article is not going to give you the title of your podcast. By the time you finish reading these 1,000 words or so, a bolt of lightning won’t hit you from above to give you the smartest, funniest, catchiest, wittiest title. Honestly, that title might not even exist. Or even worse, a different show might have that title already.
We are tempering your expectations because the best title of a podcast is the title you settle on, the one you’re happy with, and the one that checks off the most, but probably not all, of the boxes. What you will take away by the end of this article is how to focus your attention and brainstorm the show that works for you.
What do people know before they listen?
When you count the number of clicks it takes to get to the content you want to consume, podcasting is one of the most difficult digital mediums to access. It takes one click to like an Instagram post, maybe two clicks to watch a YouTube video or a TikTok. But if someone sends you a podcast, it might take three, four, or five clicks to go to your podcast player of choice, find an episode, and hit play. Four clicks is an eternity on the Internet, so making sure your podcast metadata is right is your first line of defense.
When we mean metadata, we are talking about the information you get about a show before you listen. That’s your show’s title, description, podcast art, episode titles, topic categories, and more. Because of the relatively big commitment that three-to-four-click journey poses to potential listeners, the metadata has to communicate information, tone, and genre as quickly as possible. And the title is the face of that operation.
All of that is to say: it is much more important to have a clear and concise title than it is to have a witty or punny title.
What do people know before they listen?
Based on experience with Podcast trainer, we have discovered that titling a Podcast is not as easy as people think. Some of them would take weeks to settle on, and some of them could be placeholder names when you may be creating a document. But we can tell you that ultimately, a podcast title needs to answer YES to these three questions:
- Is it easy to hear?
- Is it easy to spell?
- Does it tell you what the show is about?
The first two are common-sense checks to hedge against too cute or too punny. If there are too many homophones or the pun only makes sense written out, Question One rules it out. The opposite is true for Question Two; if the written title is so clunky or needs so many dashes to properly execute, then it won’t work.
The third question is the guiding light of an effective title. The title must make sense on its own without any other context, as it will probably have to do that the most out of all your other metadata. Someone will ask you, “Oh what’s your podcast called?” and by saying your title, they should hopefully understand the genre, topic, and tone of your show as well.
Here’s what we mean: If you told someone the name of your podcast was “Wine and Crime,” you’d know a lot immediately. It’s a true crime podcast, you’re drinking so you’re loose and fun with it, and it would probably fall into the Women Drinking and Talking About Dark Topics genre. If you told someone the name of your podcast was, “Idol Talk,” they would be lost. Is it “idle” or “idol?” Is this show about Survivor, Billy Idol, or the Second Commandment? Is your show idle chit-chat about these topics? Because that’s a turn-off to me.
Try these title structures
Feeling stuck? Try these types of show titles to spark your creativity
1. Ask a question
One of the best podcast titles I’ve come across is Where Do Broken Hearts Go?, a Kenyan show exploring love, heartbreak, and healing. The beauty of a question is it instantly creates curiosity. It tells your audience exactly what your show is about, while making them want to find out more. Start your podcast with a bold, honest question, and make sure you answer it in your episodes!
2. Make it a clear statement
Another strong format is simply stating your podcast’s message upfront. A great example is I Said What I Said, the Nigerian pop culture show hosted by FK and Jollz. The title is bold, confident, and instantly tells you the vibe of the show. Others like Africa Is a Country use irony to challenge perceptions. Think of your title as your show’s thesis , something that makes your message unmistakably clear.
3. Say exactly what it is
Sometimes, simple is best. If your show is all about African tech, why not just call it African Tech Weekly? If it’s an entertainment roundup, The South African Entertainment Report works just fine. Big media networks often use this approach too. Take Pulse Nigeria’s Pop Central Show or BBC Africa Daily, they tell you what the show is, who it’s from, and why you should care, all in one go.
Double-check everything before you go live
Before you publish your podcast title, take a moment to cross all your T’s. Here’s how to make sure your title actually works, and stands out.
Say it out loud to someone outside your podcast bubble
Did you try saying your podcast title out loud? Even better, did you say it to a friend or relative who doesn’t listen to podcasts at all? (Yes, like your auntie or your neighbor who only listens to the radio on their way to work.) If they get it right away, you’re probably on to something. If not, it might be time to simplify.
Check if the name’s already taken
Don’t assume your title is original just because it hasn’t shown up on Google. Do a proper search: try “(Title) + Podcast” or “(Title) + YouTube” to see if someone else is already using it. Also check if the social media handles and website domains are available. Tools like Namechk make this super easy, type it once and see where it’s free.
Avoid falling into copycat naming traps
It’s tempting to follow the crowd. Maybe all the political podcasts in your region have clever acronyms, or all the music shows have the word “vibes” in the title. But remember, your goal is to stand out, not blend in. Whether you’re podcasting from Lagos, Nairobi, Joburg, or Accra, originality is your strongest branding tool. Look at what others are doing, but find a fresh lane that feels uniquely you.