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Brands that share a brand name (Useful List)

January 15, 2021 · Rob Meyerson
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Two famous brands that share a single brand name? Impossible, right? Surely, trademark law would prevent one company or product from stealing the brand name of another.

But it happens all the time. Two brands can easily use the same name when they’re using it for different goods and services, thereby reducing the likelihood of customer confusion. In other words, you probably wouldn’t confuse Dove (beauty products) and Dove Chocolate, since they sell in entirely different categories. Nor would you accidentally buy Domino magazine thinking it’s about pizza.

Note, however, that just because two brands in unrelated categories can share a name doesn’t mean it’s a good branding decision. Using the same name as a famous brand can negatively impact SEO, for example. There are also limits to the “different category” guideline—some names are considered so famous (e.g., Coca-Cola), that they can effectively prevent anyone from using them, even in an entirely unrelated class of goods and services. (In other words, you won’t be able to name your sock company “Coca-Cola socks.”)

Dove and Dove Chocolate are oft-shared examples of famous brands that share a brand name, but they’re not the only “brand twins.” Below, we’ve started a list of examples. Can you think of others we should add? If so, drop a note in the comments.

 

Examples of brands that share a brand name

NameFamous brands
AppleApple (consumer electronics)
Apple Records
DeltaDelta (airline)
Delta Faucet
Delta Dental
Domino/Domino'sDomino (magazine)
Domino Sugar
Domino’s (pizza)
DoveDove (beauty products)
Dove Chocolate
EosVolkswagen Eos
Canon EOS (camera)
FinlandiaFinlandia (vodka)
Finlandia Cheese
GracoGraco (fluid management products)
Graco (baby accessories)
MorningstarMorningstar (financial services)
MorningStar Farms (vegetarian foods)
MustangFord Mustang
Mustang Seeds
PinkThomas Pink Limited (AKA Pink Shirtmaker)
Pink (Victoria's Secret sub-brand)
StanleyStanley (tools)
Stanley (drinking cups)
UnitedUnited (airline)
United Van Lines

 

This Useful List will be updated periodically with new list items. Please share any suggested additions in the comments section.

Note: The author of this post is not an attorney. This article about trademark law is for informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice for any individual matter, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between you and the author or publisher. For further questions, speak to a licensed attorney who is familiar with trademark law.


Rob Meyerson is a brand consultant, author of Brand Naming, and co-author of the sixth edition of Designing Brand Identity. He runs Heirloom, a brand strategy and identity firm, and hosts the podcast How Brands Are Built.


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    June 29, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    Paramount pictures and paramount chicken

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      May 27, 2024 at 12:55 pm

      Paramount AUTOMOTIVe too

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      May 27, 2024 at 12:55 pm

      And paramount automotive

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    June 2, 2024 at 7:42 pm

    Gerber Baby Products
    Gerber folding knives

    Reply
    • Rob Meyerson says

      June 24, 2024 at 5:21 am

      Hadn’t heard of this one!! Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    July 24, 2024 at 10:21 am

    Prime drink and amazon prime

    Reply
    • Rob Meyerson says

      July 24, 2024 at 10:41 am

      Heh, good one! There are probably a lot of “Prime” brands out there, in fact, but these two are pretty well known!

      Reply
  4. D says

    September 3, 2024 at 9:05 am

    Also Morningstar Senior Living Centers 🙂

    Reply
    • Rob Meyerson says

      September 3, 2024 at 9:44 am

      Thanks for the additional idea!

      Reply

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