what's in a name?

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » November 3rd, 2010, 7:01 pm

I like "Imp"

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » November 3rd, 2010, 7:02 pm

I like "Imp" and I would have stole it except its owner was in our group

Meghan W · Post by **Meghan W** » November 4th, 2010, 10:01 pm

I think that, any example aside, there's something to be said for the product being bigger than the name. No matter what a troupe is called, if they're amazing, I'll go see them.

That being said, for me at least there's a special sort of thrill that comes from hearing a really great name or a name that so perfectly suits a troupe's style. A little inner leap of joy.

shando · Post by **shando** » November 5th, 2010, 2:52 pm

Splendid Things. 'nuff said.

chazpf · Post by **chazpf** » November 5th, 2010, 5:52 pm

Achatina, Achatina!: Found using 'random search' on Wikipedia. I wasn't there for this, but I suspect it was picked due to it's awesome sound.

I was there! It wasn't a random search on Wikipedia exactly, I think it was StumbleUpon. Achatina Achatina is the latin name of the world's largest land gastropod, also known as the African land snail. Yes, we immediately thought it would be a good troupe name based on its sound. That's pretty much how I like to do it. Also, meaning-wise, Ach Ach the troupe started with a fast tap-out based format, which juxtaposes the slow creature we named ourselves after. Forsooth!

jose · Post by **jose** » November 5th, 2010, 8:29 pm

After a couple of weeks of agonizing, we chose the name Galapagos.

Bill Binder mentioned out name later that week to a friend from Michigan.

He replied, "What are you, a bunch of Mexicans?!"

That's when I knew it was perfect.

sara farr · Post by **sara farr** » November 8th, 2010, 12:19 am

Also, I recommend picking a name that can be found in a fun, upbeat song. Then you can play the song as you go onstage to GET UP your improv mojo.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · November 8th, 2010, 10:11 am

sara farr wrote:Also, I recommend picking a name that can be found in a fun, upbeat song. Then you can play the song as you go onstage to GET UP your improv mojo.

or come up with the name, then write, compose and record a fun, upbeat song (or groovy/funky/hardcore/sexy/maudlin song, depending on your taste) with that name in it.

jillybee72 · Post by **jillybee72** » November 8th, 2010, 10:55 am

monkeyangst wrote:One thing to keep in mind in this day and age is Google. If people search for your troupe name, will there be a lot of other crap that comes up with the same name?

I think it's more important that your name plus the word "improv" or the name of your town yields significant hits. Expecting a googlewhack on your name alone in 2010 is a little silly.

AmyA · Post by **AmyA** » November 9th, 2010, 12:33 am

I love Dancy St. D'Orchestra as a name for many of the reasons mentioned. It fits us on several levels:

1) We rehearse at my house on Dancy St.
2) We dance and are therefore a "dancy" group
3) We do musical improv, hence the orchestra
4) We are individually and collectively pretty dorky

Even though it's a long name, it can be shortened easily in several ways. It also seems to pique non-improvisors' curiosity about what the group does.

Yay D'Orks! Yay Dancy-ness!

HerrHerr · Post by **HerrHerr** » November 9th, 2010, 11:13 am

I really like The Knuckleball Now.
(or is it Knuckleball Now?)

It fits them very well...if you know anything about baseball; and if you don't, that's okay too cuz
it sounds like what they are--fast, loose and you don't where they might head next in their shows.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · November 9th, 2010, 11:17 am

i believe the The is correct (since i've often seen it abbreviated as TKN, but never just KN).