Brand Naming for Gulf-Based Businesses

Strategic, culturally attuned brand naming for lifestyle, F&B and hospitality startups in Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah and across the GCC.

I help founders and marketing leads create distinctive, meaningful names that capture their vision, stand out in the market, and resonate with audiences across the region.

What Brand Naming Covers

A strong name sets the tone for everything that follows. It sparks interest, conveys meaning, and creates the desired perception. Here’s what I focus on when naming brands for the GCC:

  • Collaborative sessions to uncover your brand's essence and define your brand direction, audience and objectives.

  • Exploring a range of name styles - from descriptive to evocative or invented - with clear reasoning behind each idea.

  • Ensuring names feel appropriate, positive and relevant across Arabic and English-speaking markets.

  • Reviewing domain availability, social handles, and conducting first-round trademark screening to avoid conflicts.

  • Presenting a refined shortlist of strong, strategically sound name options with supporting rationale for each.

  • Delivering a name that can grow with your brand, align with future positioning, and support long-term brand equity.

Meet Marc Cross

With over 15 years of experience building brands across London, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, I’m a brand strategist trusted by founders, marketing leaders, and global businesses.

As Co-Founder and Creative Director of international branding agency Klinical, I’ve led high-impact strategy projects for lifestyle brands throughout the Gulf.

Proven Experience in the Gulf Region

I’ve partnered with brands across Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah - helping lifestyle, F&B, and hospitality ventures craft distinctive names and build brand identities that resonate with both regional and global audiences.

My Brand Naming Process

1. Concept Exploration

Every naming project begins with focused research and creative exploration. I define a clear direction rooted in your brand’s values, market positioning, and audience - exploring descriptive, evocative, and abstract routes. This ensures we align on a creative path before moving into naming.

2. Name Development

I create a shortlist of strategically sound, distinctive names tailored to your brand and region. Each option is checked for domain availability, social handle access, and initial trademark viability - ensuring every name is ownable, scalable, and built for long-term growth.

3. Brand Messaging

A strong name should work in harmony with your wider brand voice. This final stage includes strapline writing, story support, and cultural alignment - making sure your name feels right, reinforces your positioning, and translates well across platforms and markets in the GCC and beyond.

Not sure what level of naming support you need? I’m happy to recommend the right approach based on your goals, audience, and market focus.

Brand Naming Projects:

Myra - Strategic Brand Development for a Luxury French Patisserie in Saudi Arabia

Creating a refined identity for Myra, a French-inspired patisserie in Riyadh and Jeddah, blending artisanal luxury with Saudi cultural nuance to deliver a brand experience that feels both timeless and locally resonant.

Brand Naming / Strategic Brand Development - Creative Direction (Visual Identity)

Sipside - Brand Strategy, Naming and Visual Identity for a New Coffee Destination in Saudi Arabia

Creating the name and identity for Sipside, a lifestyle-driven coffee shop in Jeddah designed as a social hub for young locals and families. Inspired by the sea and sun, the brand blends laid-back energy with vibrant storytelling.

Brand Strategy & Positioning / Brand Naming / Creative Direction (Visual Identity)

Client Testimonials

"I’ve worked with Marc on multiple branding projects in both Dubai and London, often supporting clients as they prepare for expansion or move into franchising. What really sets him apart is his ability to turn complex business goals into clear, confident brand positioning. He combines strategic insight with creative thinking, shaping brand narratives that feel both commercially sound and visually engaging. Every project has gone above and beyond, and I always look forward to the next collaboration.”

Charlie Mander - Co-Founder / Presman & Colard

“Marc has been a key branding partner for me over the past six years, helping to develop hospitality brands like KOA, Myra, and most recently HAZAL. His approach is thoughtful and strategic, ensuring each brand is grounded in strong positioning and brought to life with clarity and creativity. From naming to identity design, he knows how to make a brand resonate in the Saudi market. His work has been instrumental in creating concepts that feel both authentic and commercially strong.”

Amro Bagedo - Founder & CEO / KRAIV & KAB Holding

“Working with Marc on the rebrand for Global Academy International - a group of successful schools with a rich history, founded by my father - was a brilliant experience. He brought clarity to our thinking, helping reposition the brand with confidence while respecting its legacy. From our founding schools in Qatar to our expansion into Saudi Arabia via franchising, Marc’s insight, strategic focus, and collaborative approach made a lasting impact on the outcome.”

Omar Al Sheikh - Vice Chairman / OWMNYA Holding

Names That Endure.