Using real name or not? What do you think of these blog names?

[luckyj142]

Hello,

So I have been working on my website/blog for a while now and it has been a great learning experience. I still haven't opened it to the public yet. Partly because I am still agonising over the name.

I've touched upon it briefly before but it's is an outdoor lifestyle blog - cycling, hiking, camping, adventure etc - I will also write a lot about my recently purchased houseboat. I work in catering so will inevitably touch upon food a bit too.

Here are my 2 options, I have both domains already:

hikingbikingboating.com

OR

myname.co.uk (as in my first and last name)

I like the first as it clearly says what the site does and it means I don't have the worry of my name being plastered all over the internet.

But I like the second because it is literally about me and it can change and evolve with me as a person as my interests move and change. Also one of my favourite bloggers/adventurers alastairhumphreys.com uses the name domain, it has changed massively over the years and I really like it.

I worry that I'm pigeonholing myself with the first one. What if I want to talk about skiing? Or rock climbing? Or the amazing chicken wings I made last night!?

As always - I would love and sincerely appreciate your opinions and personal experiences!

Cheers

 

[Jon]

The first one is too long and opens up the opportunity for people misspelling it!

 

[Chammy]

I agree with Jon (again). Just imagine having to type that URL out lots of times - shorter URLs are easier to remember and quicker to type. Someone trying to remember which order your blog name is in might be difficult.

 

[katykicker]

Also buy the .com and .co.uk to prevent future problems if you become successful

 

[luckyj142]

Unfortuately I share a name with an American politician and he has the .com.

He isn't even using it. I pester him relentlessly on twitter and by email about it. It's kind of funny! I make mention of it on the blurb of my site.

 

[SaraSummers]

I think its down to opinion really. If your name has a nice ring to it, and is easy to spell, that is probably the best.

I have an unusual name so (1) I would be worried about having my name everywhere and (2) too hard to remember!

Interesting discussion though