Okay, I get it. There aren’t many good domain names to choose from these days. In February 2004 (the same month vowel-dropping Flickr launched) Larry Borsato complained about domain names. Yeah, it was a problem before that, too.

One of the recurring naming practices is to name a resource site with your name and then a generic term. For example, I might choose Adam’s List, Adam’s Book, or Adam’s Picks.

Finding a good name that isn’t taken requires creativity. Naming a site after yourself doesn’t. So, why do people do it?

1. Craigslist – The online classifieds site created by Craig Newmark is not successful because of the name. In fact, it might be successful despite the name. The reason Craigslist has received such support is more likely due to the values of the site, not the name. And no, making it a .org does not immediately make you altruistic.

Newmark himself doesn’t think the name is genius. From Craig’s bio:

Craig is somewhat embarassed that this is called “craigslist”.

2. False personalism – If you are unsure about whether to go this direction with naming, you might decide it’s okay because the site will feel personal. Unfortunately, I site will not feel personal unless you really make it personal. Craigslist has personals, but it isn’t personal. When a user browses across your site, they aren’t going to decide to stay because Adam seems so nice.

3. Ego? – There, I said it. I think most who choose the So-and-So’s-This-Or-That style name don’t do it out of ego, but it might appear that way to others. If I had to bet on whether personalism or ego would come across, I’d go with ego every time.

So, don’t do it. Nobody wants to look like a copycat, a poser, or an egotist. If you agree, let’s talk about it on my new site, Adam’s Chatbox.

Just kidding.

P.S.: Still think all the good domains are gone? Watch this:

See also:

• A Domain Name Gets Swiped
• Tutorial: Choose and Register a Domain Name