Collect before you judge
During the first pass, keep anything that makes you curious. Trying to choose the final name while you are still exploring often narrows the possibilities too soon. Make a small collection of different directions.
Make a first collection of six to ten ideas, then write a short note beside each: what caught your attention? Keep concrete reasons such as a warm sound or a clear image. “It looks professional” is less useful until you can say what that means in your particular context.
Compare three at a time
Pick three candidates that feel meaningfully different. Compare them on what matters for your use: easy to say, the right tone, and a clear association. Avoid a single overall score; a number can hide the tradeoffs.
Choose criteria before you compare. For a podcast, hearing and repeating the title may matter most; for a character, distinction within the cast may be more useful. Write an observation for each candidate under each criterion. If everything ties, add a real use situation instead of inventing more decimal places.
Give the favorites a little time
Use your favorites in a few real sentences, then return to the shortlist later. Notice which names you remember without looking. The goal is not a flawless name; it is a considered choice that feels right for the thing you are making.
Use a candidate in the sentence where it will live: a recommendation, an introduction, a map label, or an email subject. Take a short break and see which names you can still recall. Keep a second option until any relevant availability or cultural checks are complete, and record why the final choice fits.