Mastering the Art of Titles: 10 Techniques to Craft a Memorable Name

Why Titles Matter

Titles aren't just labels. They're the first impression, the hook that pulls a reader in, the banner that represents your work. A strong title can intrigue, excite, and even define the essence of your story. Whether you're naming a book, a film, a series, or even a chapter, the title deserves just as much thought as the content itself.

If you’ve ever struggled with naming your work, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are reliable techniques that can help. Below are ten powerful methods, along with subcategories and examples, to help you craft a title that resonates and sticks with your audience.

1) Steal from Your Own Characters

Sometimes, the best title is already in your story. If a line of dialogue or a character’s philosophy captures the essence of your work, why not use it?

Ways to Apply It:

• Use a line of dialogue

  
  

  Example: "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" (taken from a character’s internal thought)

• Use a catchphrase or mantra from the story

  
  

  Example: No More Heroes (a phrase tied to the game’s themes)

• Use something a character is known for saying

  
  

  Example: Frankly, My Dear… (taken from Gone with the Wind)

2) Plant a Mystery

A great title can tease curiosity, making readers want to know more. The less it explains outright, the more people want to investigate.

Ways to Apply It:

• Use a term from the story that only makes sense later

  
  

  Example: Death Note, Squid Game

• Use an enigmatic or intriguing phrase

  
  

  Example: Attack on Titan, We Have Always Lived in the Castle

• Use an object, concept, or event from the story

  
  

  Example: The Hunger Games, The Left Hand of Darkness

3) Twist a Familiar Phrase

Take a saying, idiom, or proverb and give it a new spin. This can create immediate recognition with a fresh twist.

Ways to Apply It:

• Modify an idiom or saying

  
  

  Example: Catch Me If You Can, Do the Right Thing

• Take a well-known phrase and give it new context

  
  

  Example: The Fault in Our Stars, All the Light We Cannot See

• Use pop culture or historical references

  
  

  Example: The Devil Wears Prada, Tiger & Bunny

4) Pay Homage

You can borrow a title from an existing work—like a song, poem, or classic literature—if it enhances your theme.

Ways to Apply It:

• Use a title from a song, poem, or literature

  
  

  Example: Brave New World (Shakespeare), The Great Pretender (song reference)

• Reference an important figure or work

  
  

  Example: Enter the Dragon (direct reference to Bruce Lee’s film)

• Directly lift something famous and reframe it

  
  

  Example: The Sound and the Fury (Shakespeare quote)

5) Put the Title in Motion

Action-packed titles can create energy and anticipation.

Ways to Apply It:

• Describe an action taken by a character

  
  

  Example: Run Lola Run, Sherlock Holmes Arrives Too Late

• Frame it as a command, challenge, or warning

  
  

  Example: Don’t Look Up, Kill Bill

• Describe something happening in the world

  
  

  Example: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Things Fall Apart

6) Crash Words Together

Unexpected word combinations can create intrigue, humor, or contrast.

Ways to Apply It:

• Take two unrelated words and smash them together

  
  

  Example: Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo

• Pair a serious word with something silly

  
  

  Example: Boogiepop Phantom, Neon Genesis Evangelion

• Use strong, contrasting imagery

  
  

  Example: Pretty Little Liars, The Savage Detectives

7) Make It Absurd (On Purpose!)

Sometimes, over-the-top or ridiculous titles make the best impression.

Ways to Apply It:

• Use a pun or playful wordplay

  
  

  Example: Brief Cases (Dresden Files short story collection), Sharknado

• Use an intentionally ridiculous phrase

  
  

  Example: Chainsaw Man, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America…

• Leverage irony or unexpected elements

  
  

  Example: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

8) Go Big or Go Small

Titles that are unusually short or long can stand out.

Ways to Apply It:

• Go super short and punchy

  
  

  Example: It, Jaws

• Go unusually long and specific

  
  

  Example: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Jacuzzi Splot Cries, Gets Scared, and Musters Reckless Valor

• Use a number for intrigue or specificity

  
  

  Example: 1984, 13 Reasons Why

9) Tease Without Misleading

A strong title hints at the content without giving too much away.

Ways to Apply It:

• Use a concept from the story without overexplaining

  
  

  Example: Catch-22, The Talented Mr. Ripley

• Use irony or contrast

  
  

  Example: American Psycho, The Lovely Bones

• Play with expectations without deceiving

  
  

  Example: The Nine Lives of Chloe King

10) Give a Name That Demands Attention

Names can carry weight, especially when they hint at legacy, power, or mystery.

Ways to Apply It:

• Use a character’s name when it holds power

  
  

  Example: Dracula, John Wick

• Frame it as a role or legacy

  
  

  Example: The Great Gatsby, The Queen’s Gambit

• Use first-person perspective for intimacy

  
  

  Example: I Am Legend, We Were Liars

Final Thoughts

Your title is more than just a name—it’s a promise to the audience. Whether you opt for mystery, action, irony, or homage, the key is to ensure your title reflects your work’s essence while standing out.

What’s your favorite title technique? Have you created a title you’re particularly proud of? Share it in the comments!