A Blog Name Change … Have You Done It?

When people mention my blog in other blogs, the most common addendum is — don’t worry — it’s not about particle accelerators. That always makes me laugh, but I realize there’s nothing in my blog name to suggest what it really is. And, I know that’s violating one of the basic tenets of a “good” blog name.

I started this blog in 2008 without a solid mission statement. I knew I would focus on nature, wildlife and photography, given my passion for those subjects. But initially, I was writing in vacuum and simply using the blog as a place to vent my pent up creative energy. I’d be writing this blog even if no on read it, because that stuff needs place to go, or you pop. But … that’s why I picked “The Free Quark.” It implied an environment of free thought — unbound and unattached to any convention (metaphorically speaking).

Lately, I’ve been considering a new direction in the name, given that nothing is actually written in a vacuum. But, I haven’t made any moves because I’m permanently conflicted between my desire to be more clear, and my need to be abstract. Any literal title I’ve come up with just doesn’t mesh with my sensibilities. But any abstract title I come to love is almost as obscure as The Free Quark. My thought is to combine abstract with at least one nature or wildlife term, and one photography allusion, which might satisfy both elements.

My question to you is twofold: Have you gone through this same process — changing your blog name? And if so, are you glad you did? Was it worth the logistical hassle? Or, if you’ve never changed the name, what was the process you used to come up with your first title?

The second part is, if you’re better at name generation than I am and have any suggestions, please feel free to post or send me an email. I’m compiling a list of names that, eventually, I’ll decide upon if I go in that direction.