There has never been an easier time in human history to figure out the perfect name for your candles.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

1. What is required on your candle label
2. Candle name guidelines
3. How to use ChatGPT to brainstorm candle names

Let’s dive in!

Candle label requirements

Candle labels have legal and industry requirements.  For those in the European Union, the CLP plays a significant role.

At a high level, your candle label needs to include the following information:

• Statement of identity: the main description of the product.
• Net weight: the ounces and grams of product inside the candle.
• Place of origin: City, state, and zip.  If the street address is available online, you don’t have to include it on the label.

Candle labels in the EU have a few additional bits to include:

• Signal words: candles typically require the word “WARNING” somewhere on the label.
• Precautionary and hazard statements: statements that come from the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of the fragrance oils you’re using.
• Unique formula identifier: a 16-digit code used by Poison Centers to identify the candle’s content

Choosing a name doesn’t matter if your candles don’t have a compliant label.

Candle naming guidelines

Candle names are an inherently creative adventure.  Here are some important considerations when matching a name to the scent.

Avoid trademark infringement

It goes without saying that some names are completely off-limits.  Using a trademarked name allows the trademark holder to take legal action against you which would disrupt candle and possibly your entire business!

Here are some ways to avoid trouble:

• Do a trademark search. Check with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to see if your proposed name is already used by someone with a trademark.  You can search the USPTO database online.
• Don’t use characters from movies or television shows.  Most of them are protected by so much legal nonsense you’d be served by a lawyer before you sold a single candle.
• Avoid using offensive names. Trademark law protects trademarks from being used in a way that is offensive to its owner.  Funny?  Maybe.  Questionable?  Absolutely.

Don’t copy the fragrance oil name

Fragrance oil names are usually trademarked by the suppliers and manufacturers.

As easy as it is to connect your candle name to the literal scent you’re using, it’s not advisable.  You’ll have to be extra creative!

Ask for feedback

It’s easy to think your name is amazing when you’re sitting in your workshop brainstorming alone.  It’s another to hear what other people think.

Here’s an easy way to get useful feedback on your name ideas:

1. Pour a batch
2. Write down 3-4 potential names on notecards or sticky notes, including your favorite
3. Have your friends and family smell the candle (cold or hot) and pick the name from your list they think works best with the scent

Or go old-fashioned and ask if they think the name matches the scent (but that’s less fun).

Be concise

Keep in mind that any name you choose will have to be worked into the label somehow.

The way you use your limited space matters.  There’s a lot to be said about candle label design, but your candle’s name has to be legible and clear to the customer.

“Sweet Purple Floral and Fauna” is complicated compared to “Live. Laugh. Lilac.” (feel free to steal that one).  

A rule of thumb to loosely follow is to keep your name less than 25 characters long.

Consider your collection or theme

If you’re launching a product without an overarching theme, this won’t apply.

When developing a candle theme, consider the feelings and emotions associated with your collection and brand.

For example, P.F. Candle Co. in California has a warm and inviting brand.  Many of their products have a retro, nostalgic and summery vibe, which is why you’ll find names like Golden Coast and Moonrise in their Sunset Candle collection.

Another company with a strong brand is Harlem Candle Company out of New York.  They have a collection titled Nightclub Map of Harlem which features names like Speakeasy and Langston.  Their collection also features related items in the same theme, like greeting cards, matches and coffee mugs.

How to use ChatGPT to brainstorm candle names

If you’re not creative, use AI to help you brainstorm creative names!

Open AI created a tool called ChatGPT available online.  It’s a “chatbot,” which means you type something to it and it responds to you.  But instead of simple answers, GPT has access to so much information that it can handle complicated requests like “Write a sonnet explaining how the Supreme Court functions in the style of Snoop Dogg.”

Here is a prompt you can use to brainstorm ideas for candle names.  Replace the bracketed items for your use case, and customize as needed for your brand:

Create 10 candle names inspired by the fragrances of [scent 1, scent 2, etc].

The candle collection they belong to is titled [collection name] to reflect [explain the collection’s sentiments and feelings here].

The candle making brand reflects the values of [brand feeling 1] and [brand feeling 2].

Names should evoke feelings of [feelings], and should be less than 25 characters long.

Here it is in practice, with a fake brand copying P.F. Candle Co.’s Sunset Candle collection:

Not bad!

Use the outputs as a starting point in your brainstorming and remember to have fun with it!