Loves your scents, they smell amazing 🥰

How To Choose Fragrance Names (And Why They Matter)
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Time to read 6 min
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Time to read 6 min
Ever read a fragrance name and thought, “Intriguing… but what does it actually smell like?” Scent is tied to memories, emotions and atmosphere. That’s why naming a fragrance is about more than just sounding nice.
A good name should instantly transport you somewhere. Does "Cozy Nights" smell like a crackling fire and spiced cider, or fresh linen and candlelight? Does "Enchanted Wood" smell earthy and deep, or is there a hint of something magical? Every name is carefully considered, pulling from seasons, places, pastimes and scent psychology.
So how do we name fragrances in a way that makes sense? Let’s break it down.
"Fragrance speaks the loudest on a subliminal level."
We carefully choose our fragrance names to evoke a memory, a mood or a season. From Arabian Nights to Mulled Cider, the right name makes a scent come alive before you even take a sniff. Here's how we name some of our blends.
Fragrance names should do the heavy lifting—before you even smell them, they should set the scene, or in this case, the season.
Spring and summer scents tend to be light, bright and airy, but how they're named makes all the difference. Some lean into the everyday moments (like Sunkissed Linen or Fresh-Cut Grass —things you can instantly imagine). Others take you somewhere else entirely—Amalfi Coast, Mojito Moments—where you can practically hear the waves or taste the cocktail.
Autumn and winter demand something warmer, richer and more profound. But do you go for comforting and nostalgic ( Pumpkin Spice Latte, Autumn Days ) or something more evocative of an experience ( Winter Walks )? The trick is to name the feeling, not just the scent. Because no one buys "Winter's Night "—they buy the promise of cosy evenings and crackling fires.
Christmas scents are almost always tied to memory. And when it comes to naming them, you either set the scene or get straight to the point.
Some names paint a picture. Christmas Cheer isn't just cinnamon and orange; it's the warm welcome of a bustling kitchen, the promise of something sweet baking in the oven. The same goes for Gingerbread Cookies—it recreates that first spicy, buttery bite before the icing sugar melts.
Then there are the names that lean into tradition. For example, Wise Men taps into frankincense, myrrh, and resins associated with age-old holiday rituals. And, of course, sometimes the best name is the obvious one—because if you're buying a Xmas Tree fragrance, you expect a sharp hit of pine, balsam and spice.
Whether a fragrance name transports, reassures or simply gets straight to the point, the goal is the same: make the scent feel familiar before it's even been smelled.
Some fragrances smell precisely like a moment in time. Not just a scent but an entire scene—one that's been tucked away in the back of your mind until something familiar brings it rushing back.
Nana's Kitchen does precisely that. It is a warm kitchen, with apples stewing on the stove and a dusting of flour on the counter. The sharp sweetness of the fruit softens into nutmeg and cinnamon before settling into the buttery comfort of vanilla and sugar pastry.
Then there are scents that not only remind you of a memory, but they practically are the memory. Bubblegum, sticky-sweet and neon-bright, lingers on the air like childhood mischief. Fruit Loops, a Saturday morning in front of the TV, no responsibilities in sight.
Again, we're back to seasons. White Christmas reminds you of that early 2000s Christmas when it actually snowed, while Leather & Oudh is the scent of pulling on an old, well-worn jacket before stepping out into the cold.
Put simply, fragrance names should say what words can't. The right one unlocks a feeling before the scent even hits.
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Some fragrances feel like an escape—one breath and you're somewhere else entirely. Your fragrance names should reflect this: A slow morning wrapped in fresh linen. A tropical breeze stirring through palm leaves. A deep exhale after a long day. Let's take a look at some of our luxury, spa-themed blends.
Dreamy Days doesn't rush. It opens with coconut and delicate florals, fresh and sun-kissed, before sinking into a heart of sugar, cocoa butter and vanilla-like warm skin after a day in the sun. The final notes? Amber and musk, rich, golden, unhurried.
Others are less about indulgence, more about balance. Keep Calm is a reset button. Citrus and berries wake up the senses, chamomile and cinnamon slow them back down. The deeper it settles, the more grounding it becomes: patchouli, vetiver, musk. A reminder to breathe.
Then, there are scents that function like rituals. Sleepy Head works like a dimmed light—bright bergamot and eucalyptus fade into lavender and clove before softening into vanilla and tonka bean. Spa Time says it as it is, and it's all warmth and spice melting into geranium, sandalwood and musk.
Some scents make a space smell pleasant. Others completely shift the atmosphere. The best fragrance names don't just tell you what's inside—they tell you how it feels to be there.
Fragrance is personal, and sometimes you just know what you like. That's why our dupes exist—to give you the scents you recognise and love but with a twist. We take inspiration from iconic designer fragrances, cult-classic body care and nostalgic essentials, keeping the essence of what makes them great while making them our own.
Our names keep things recognisable without being identical. A nod to the original, but still distinctly ours. Because the right name should remind you of what you love—and make you curious to try something new.
Not every fragrance needs a poetic name; sometimes, the best approach is straight to the point. Certain scents are timeless, instantly recognisable, and universally loved, so why complicate things?
Very Vanilla is a good example of this. Vanilla is already a best-seller, but we wanted a name that instantly signals richness, depth and intensity. But this isn't just any vanilla—it's extra warm and indulgent.
When a fragrance is a household favourite, a simple, no-fuss name can be more effective than something abstract. After all, when people know exactly what they want, why make them guess?
A fragrance name creates expectation, sets a mood and makes a scent instantly recognisable. It can literally make or break your candle—because customers don’t buy what they can’t connect with.
A strong name grabs attention and helps shoppers instantly picture the scent, even before they smell it. If a name feels too vague or generic, it risks being passed over for something that paints a clearer picture or evokes a stronger emotion.
And the best ones don’t just describe what’s inside the bottle—they tap into something deeper, whether that’s places, experiences, memories or feelings.
In other words, the right fragrance name should feel like an invitation—something people connect with before they've even taken a breath. By now, you're probably brimming with ideas based on your own experiences, but if you need more inspo, just look at the countless fragrance oils we have at NI Candle Supplies.
Definitely! A simple method to foster a sense of exclusivity is by giving your creations a name that aligns with your brand and values.
Always ensure the product name on your CLP label is updated to match the name you have selected for your goods. This keeps everything aligned and prevents competitors from discovering which oil you used 😉. Ensure you maintain a record in your technical files that correlates the original name with the one you use for traceability purposes.
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Loves your scents, they smell amazing 🥰