What’s in a coffee shop name?
Well, as it turns out — a lot.
Picking a strong coffee shop name isn’t as simple as tossing random words together or throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.
It takes strategy, authenticity, and meaning… and that’s not even half the ingredient list.
In this blog, we’re talking about creating good coffee shop names, from what goes into a good name to three examples of names done right (and why they work). We’ve also created a list of 60 coffee shop name ideas to use as inspiration for your very own name game.
Let’s get started!
What makes a good coffee shop name?
A good coffee shop name isn’t “good” just because it has one specific element over another. The strongest coffee shop names are backed by multiple, highly intentional decisions and factors — including the six below.
1. Simple and memorable
Choosing a simple, easy-to-remember coffee shop name is a great way to encourage recall and repeat visits. Research suggests that the easier a brand name is to say and understand, the more likely a consumer will remember and purchase from that brand.
2. Emotionally connected
Creating an emotional connection with your coffee shop name can foster customer loyalty and a vested interest in your brand. And, according to behavioral expert Zhecho Dobrev, emotional connection is how you “[create] preferences over the competition.”
3. Authentic
A coffee shop name that authentically reflects your brand’s image and values goes a long way in building customer trust. After all, 88% of consumers say “authenticity is important” — and 50% say it’s very important — when deciding the brands they like and support!
4. Unique and distinctive
Tons of things can distinguish your coffee shop from competitors, but a unique, distinctive name should definitely be one of them. As branding expert David Placek aptly put it, your competitors hope you’ll pick a comfortable, forgettable name that makes you blend in… so don’t!
Can’t pinpoint which coffee shop names you like best? We’ve got 60 Unique Coffee Shop Name Ideas to help.
5. Personal/based on your story
Storytelling plays a huge role in successful branding, your coffee shop’s name included. Choosing a name that speaks to your story and background is a great way to stand out… but research also suggests consumers will pay more once they know a brand’s story!
6. Easily "brandable"
Remember that a brand name doesn’t just live at the top of your website or mobile app. Your coffee shop name integrates with every part of your branding and marketing efforts, so make sure it works with coffee cup labels, merch, business cards, and everything in between.
3 Great Coffee Shop Names & Why They Work
1. Neighbourly Coffee
Behind the name
New Brunswick-based Neighbourly Coffee is a cafe and bakery created by 12 Neighbours.
12 Neighbours has committed to “[achieving] lasting transformation in reducing poverty and homelessness” since 2021, most notably by creating a permanent, tiny home community in Fredericton, NB.
Then, in 2024, the nonprofit opened Neighbourly Coffee — a nod to the nonprofit’s existing name and emphasis on loving thy neighbor.
Located in the community’s social enterprise center, Neighbourly Coffee is one of the nonprofit’s many “on-site initiatives aimed at giving residents [work] experience.”
But it’s about “bringing people together,” too.
“Really, the whole thing is a context for community. You know, community between and for Fredericton,” said Marcel Lebrun, founder of 12 Neighbours. “So, more healthy relationships, [because] that’s what helps all of us move ahead in life.”
Why it works
✔ It’s simple — Neighbourly Coffee is clear and simple while sustaining an obvious connection to 12 Neighbours. This simple tie makes it clear that the coffee shop’s mission is much the same as the nonprofit’s, putting community above all else.
✔ It plays on emotion — What 12 Neighbours does has a huge emotional impact within the community and beyond. Once you learn about what the nonprofit does, the name “Neighbourly Coffee” becomes a much more emotional experience, too.
✔ It’s authentic — Neighbourly Coffee’s name authentically (and obviously) reflects the nonprofit’s greater mission. There’s no question that this brand cares most about their community and the incredible people in it.
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Check out our list of 60 Unique Coffee Shop Name Ideas and see which ones resonate most!
2. Boarding Pass Coffee
Behind the name
Boarding Pass Coffee started as a love story.
Co-owners Murilo and Christine Santos met over a decade ago in Brazil, where Murilo grew up and Christine worked as a consultant. The new couple spent most of their weekends at the Santos family’s coffee farm, getting married on the property just one year later.
While coffee has always been central to the pair’s relationship, they took that passion to the next level in 2020 by opening their first Boarding Pass location in Milton, Georgia.
And the name? A nod to the family’s passion for travel, of course.
“As a multi-cultural family, [we’ve] amassed our share of travel documents,” explains Christine.“[Our name is a] reference to letting our customers “travel through coffee” and giving them their ticket to the world’s best flavors!”
Why it works
✔ It’s personal — A coffee shop name’s story doesn’t get more personal than Boarding Pass Coffee. “A passion for travel that led to meeting your future spouse and starting the business of your dreams” would tug on anyone’s heartstrings.
✔ It’s “brandable” — “Boarding Pass Coffee” has endless branding potential. Passenger plane fuselage built into the cafe? Check. First-class airplane seats instead of couches? Check. “Round the World” coffee subscriptions? Check.
✔ It’s value-driven — It’s clear that family is a central part of Boarding Pass Coffee’s values. They sell coffee from the Santos family farm, share stories and photos from visits back home, and wear their “farm-to-cup” badge with pride.
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3. Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea
Behind the name
Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea — or Fairgrounds for short — has coffee shops across the United States, from Minneapolis and Chicago to Norfolk and Dallas.
The folks at Fairgrounds are “obsessed with coffee,” aiming for the same head-over-heel reaction from customers by positioning their coffee and tea offerings as an adventure. And, by bringing that sense of “fun” back into the picture, Fairground effortlessly generates child-like wonder and excitement in their customers…
Which is exactly where their name comes from.
“[We’re] named Fairgrounds [to reflect] our dedication to diversity in our offerings, our belief in [equal billing], and our commitment to fair business practices,” the brand explains. “But [it’s also because] the fairgrounds of our youth were all about discovering something new and seeing something that made us say WOW.”
Why it works
✔ It’s unique — When you think of actual fairgrounds, you’d probably think of popcorn or cotton candy before coffee… and that’s why Fairgrounds’ name works. It totally reinvents the word “fairgrounds” in a memorable, stand-out way.
✔ It’s relatable — Fairgrounds’ name draws on the universal experience of being a kid, feeling awe and wonder and just about everything. It evokes a nostalgic feeling that causes people to reflect on their last “WOW” moment, as a child or an adult.
✔ It’s distinctive — There’s nothing “small” about Fairgrounds’ name. It’s visually strong. It packs a punch when you say it. And the word itself generates big, bright, and bold memories. A name like Fairgrounds stands out — even in a crowd.
How To Pick Your Coffee Shop Name
So, you know what goes into a good name…
But how do you pick your perfect coffee shop name?
Well, we can’t tell you exactly what coffee shop name is right for your business, but we can tell you this — using the six features we highlighted as guiding principles and figuring out what you like (or don’t like) is a great place to start.
You can also download our 60 Unique Coffee Shop Name Ideas for inspiration. We’ve compiled names for all kinds of styles, preferences, and themes, like:
- Puns and wordplay
- Community-themed
- Trendy/pop-culture
- Nature-inspired
- Conceptual
- Wildcards
You’ll also get a bunch of tips for names that suit specific audiences and coffee shop vibes, like pop culture names for your Gen Z and Millennial customer base, or short ‘n’ sweet names that look great on merch.
Happy naming!
Start your naming game with Craver’s 60 Unique Coffee Shop Name Ideas.
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