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Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup?

We are www.tesla.im - an encrypted messaging service for teams. We are named after the brilliant scientist Nikola Tesla. People confuse our name with the more famous Tesla Motors.

Should we change our name? Please tell us here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uERhq0A9GIRMaIDh8AtAw8_ZHGtUSpNiZbXK6xt56rE/viewform

( 7 comments | 3 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup? by yeleti on Friday October 18, 2013 @01:37PM (#6572666)
We are https://www.tesla.im - an encrypted messaging service for teams. We are named after the brilliant scientist Nikola Tesla. People confuse our name with the more famous Tesla Motors.

Should we change our name? Please tell us here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uERhq0A9GIRMaIDh8AtAw8_ZHGt...

Re:Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup? by deanly on Friday October 18, 2013 @01:40PM (#6572697)
ahem.

tesla.im survey.

The form "tesla.im survey." is no longer accepting responses. Try contacting the owner of the form if you think this is a mistake.

Re:Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup? by yeleti on Friday October 18, 2013 @01:42PM (#6572723)
Sorry, it should work now.
Re:Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup? by artas_bartas on Saturday October 19, 2013 @09:36AM (#6576338)
Having a name like that is very bad, because a) you will be forever trailing on the 6473th page of Google Search results and b) it will be difficult to grow a meaningful brand around a name, which already has such a strong emotional charge.

If I were you, I would definitely rethink the name.

Re:Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup? by patmcc on Friday October 18, 2013 @05:08PM (#6574016)
Do you want to ever show up in search results when people google your company name? If yes, then yeah, you should change it. I wouldn't even worry about trademark issues or brand confusion, just visibility.
Re:Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup? by timhargis on Friday October 18, 2013 @07:30PM (#6574623)
Absolutely. Tesla is very well known and is not a common word that you can brand in your space and develop over time like the word "Square." People will always think of the car dealer.
Re:Ask HN: Should we change the name of our startup? by prateekj on Friday October 18, 2013 @02:08PM (#6572941)
Yes, you should definitely change your name. These things always come back and bite you in the future. I just submitted my answer in that form.