Legal Definitions - arbitrary name

An arbitrary name is a term used in trademark law to describe a trademark that contains common words that do not describe or suggest any characteristic of the product to which the trademark is assigned. This type of trademark is inherently distinctive and requires no proof of secondary meaning, making it entitled to strong legal protection.

For example, the trademark "Apple" for computers and electronic devices is an arbitrary name because it does not describe or suggest any characteristic of the products. Another example is the trademark "Nike" for athletic shoes and apparel.

These examples illustrate how arbitrary names are created by using common words in a way that is unrelated to the product or service being offered. This makes them unique and easily recognizable, which is important for businesses to distinguish their products from those of their competitors.