"My focus right now is for our youth to identify with our church's vision, 'Making Jesus real in our hearts and community,'" Perez said. "Keeping our name Good Shep Youth is a way for me to make sure they know they're actually a part of the church and not just a group that uses the church building."

While Perez admits that a catchier youth group name might help attract students to his ministry, he also fears that a catchy youth group name might be the equivalent of the shallow soil in the Parable of the Sower. According to Perez, "Unless the ministry is already rooted firmly, the name might just end up becoming a passing fad."

Principles for Naming Your Group

How then can you avoid having your youth group name become another passing fad and instead choose a name that sticks and reflects what your ministry is?

First, don't force the naming process. "Students may hold tightly to a name because it may remind them of a special time in their life," The Forge's Phifer warns. "Get to know the students. Feel the pulse of the group. That will help you know when the time is right."

Second, when the time is right to name your group, focus on your brand and your message. Velocity's Sandel urges youth workers to answer the questions, "What do we want our name to communicate? What makes our group different?"

After answering those questions, gather an intergenerational group of creative people to brainstorm names. Choose names that are short and easy to communicate verbally and visually. If you're planning on launching a Web site featuring the group's name, check the availability of domain names as you brainstorm.

Third, go for something that can last. Don't focus on the flashiness of a particular name. Instead, as Fusion's Fogle suggests, "Let your youth group name be birthed out of what God is calling your ministry to do."

 

When you do that, your youth group name is much more likely to stick and be used by adults and youth.

Join the conversation: Tell us the name of your youth group and how you came up with it!