Chatbot name generator

What a chatbot's name does

The name is the first thing a visitor reads in the chat window, before the welcome message. It tells them whose chatbot this is and what to expect from it. A plain name that sets the right expectation is usually the better choice.

Visitors should always be able to tell that they are talking to a chatbot. A descriptive name, such as Booking Assistant, makes that clear by itself. If you choose a person's first name, say in the welcome message that it is an automated assistant, and do not use the name of someone who works for you.

Four styles of name, and when each fits

• Says what it does. Names such as Front Desk, Quote Helper or Reservations tell visitors what to ask. This style suits a chatbot with one main job, and it is the safest choice for a professional practice.
• Uses your business name. Ask Smith Plumbing or Smith Plumbing Assistant leaves no doubt about whose chatbot it is. It suits businesses whose name customers already know.
• A first name. A name such as Riley or Grace makes the chat feel friendlier. It suits casual businesses, as long as the welcome message says it is a chatbot.
• A short word. A word that suits the trade, such as Toolbox for a contractor or Table Talk for a restaurant, is easy to remember and fits a business with a relaxed tone.

Checks before you choose

1. Say it out loud. A name that is hard to say is usually hard to read as well.
2. Keep it short. The name sits in the chat header beside a close button, so two or three words read better than five.
3. Match your tone. A law firm and an ice cream shop should not sound the same. Read the name next to your welcome message and see whether they fit together.
4. Search for it. Search for the name together with your industry to check that a business near you is not already using it, and avoid the names of well-known products.
5. Write the welcome message with it. "Hi, I am the Smith Plumbing assistant. I can answer questions about our services or take your details for a visit." A good name makes the first line easy to write.

The name is one part of how a chatbot sounds. Our guide to building a website chatbot covers the rest of the writing, from the opening message to what the chatbot says when it does not know.

Where the name appears in Alma

In Alma, open the bot's Settings and look under Widget Appearance. Widget Display Name is the name visitors see in the chat header. Bot Name is the name in your own dashboard, which visitors do not see, so it can be something practical such as "Website chatbot, main site". On the same page you set the welcome message, the color and whether the chat sits in the bottom right or bottom left corner. Every widget also shows a small "Powered by Alma" line at the bottom of the chat window.