I'm marketing to all ages but mainly to children (via parents, of course). I was thinking of Buttercup Bakery.
Too cutesy? Too forgettable? Your thoughts are much appreciated!

I think it is cute, I like it.

I really like it, too. It sounds like a place I'd want to buy something delicious from, and the word "buttercup" conjures up a strong image for me.

It has a ring to it. I like it too

Go with it!! I think it's fantastic!

There is a very famous Buttercup Bake Shop in NYC. Since you are in Canada you won't have trademark infringement issues, but to me, its not kosher to snatch somebody else's brand.

http://www.buttercupbakeshop.com/

i really like the name. would be nice to go with a buttery yellow color them too. to tie it all together.
good luck, and i vote yes!!!

..have sent you a PM...

I wouldn't worry too much about using the word buttercup when some other bakery not in canada has used it.. I mean, how many businesses out there are named Patty's Cakes, or Katies Cakes, or some other common thing?? I bet the customers you have won't even notice! I say go with Buttercup Bakery... I like it!!!

I think it sounds wonderful also, I agree a place where I would want to buy some baked goodies or whatever you are selling. Grownup friendly and kid friendly name.

I would put "BUTTERCUP BAKERY" in the search engine to see how many you come up with and go from there. I found three in various parts of the world. Would people think you are affiliated with them?

I am thinking of opening up a bakery out of my home. I have been thinking of names and every time I come up with a name I do a search on google and thier is already a bake shop with that name. So, I finally thought fine I will just call it Starla's Cakes and that is taken too.

It's pretty hard to come up with something original when half the people in your industry are going to use the word "cake" in thier names..I did it... I'm guilty.. Actually, a week after I purchased my business name, I found out that theres a bridal shop in town with almost the exact same name... grrrrr.... but, what can you do? .. lol.. I think you just go with whatever name you like and that suits your business that isn't EXACTLY the same as someone elses... it's tough man....

I think it's cutesy.

Oh it sounds really cute, brings to mind the colors yellow and brown, like a sunflower. I'd stop in there if I was a tourist and buy a cupcake.

It really is hard to try to come up with something original that still works as a good name for a company that isn't too funky that hasn't been taken. I just started my business under a name I thought was oh-so-very original when I first thought of it. Then I checked it out online and there are 2 other bakeries with the same name as I have. I was bummed at first, but they are both in different countries, so I still went with it. I don't know how it all works legally, but I figure if you're not anywhere near direct competition (i.e. same state) as someone else with the same name, you should go ahead and use what you want. A business name is a personal thing. I want to LIKE what I call my company and not have to settle on a name just because no one has ever used it before. If someone else liked the name too, then as long as you're not stepping on each other's toes, I don't see what's wrong with calling it what you want.

By the way, I love the name Buttercup Bakery. Very cute, but not too cute.

Yeah, it's really growing on me! I'm beginning to LOVE it too! I will have to do a search to see if it's available for registration in this province. Thank you all for your input.

i love it!

Well, here is is a bit of advice, before you pick a name that is so close to a VERY famous bakery, you may want to talk to a lawyer. The name of our business is Sugarland, and a girl opened a bakery about 80 miles away named Jenn's Sugarland Bakery and we shut her website down by faxing our trademark to Go Daddy.

If she doesn't take her signs down, I am going to be forced to get a court order to have her business closed by the Sheriff.

Bakery vs. Bakeshop is a descriptor and is not enough difference to prevent legal action.

Snarkybaker - thanks for the advice! I figured since I'm in Canada and they are in the U.S. it wouldn't matter but we are a global village on the internet, aren't we? I will definitely seek legal advice because I had already planned to become incorporated right from the start and hopefully avoid legal issues in the future. Again, thank you.

I think that name is adorable. I do think you need to check into it though. I did a google search and came up with one in NY (the famous one), VA, FL and CA. Popular name I guess. Since you are in Canada I don't know how that works. It is so hard to come up with an original name!

Yeah, I really like it but now I'm getting worried that I'll have to go back to square one....

I found a bakery in Bragg Creek, Alberta (near the Rocky Mountains), about 400 km from me, named Buttercup Country Bakery. ARRGHH! They are a full service bakery making bread, rolls, muffins, cakes, cookies, all of it. Mine is a home-based business doing mostly cakes, cupcakes and cookies.

Does the fact that they have "country" in the middle of their name make it different from mine? please please please?

I hope you get to use your original idea. If you end up running against trademark issues, maybe you could keep the buttercup but change the name a little.

The Pink Buttercup
Buttercup Sweets
My Little Buttercup....has the sweetest smile (sorry, I couldn't resist the reference to the Three Amigos )

Jennifer Appel does indeed own the term "Buttercup" for the purposes of selling pastries.

The use she claims is "retail bakery shop".

Technically she could shut down anyone else who used the term, but it doesn't appear that she has been inclined to do so in the past. So, while I think it is really NOT groovy to infringe on someone elses trademark, you certainly can name your business anything you want.

The thing about trademark infringement is that it will limit your success, because you can bet as soon as you show up on the Food Network, she'll file and shut you down, so IMO its better to have a name of your own.

There is a Buttercup Bakery in North Texas. Don't remember the actual town but I do know it is in a very rural area. But still is one all the same.

I like the name, and it's good to have a name with a beginning letter of the alphabet, in case you decide to list it in the yellow pages of the phone book.

fyi, my granddaughter named a beautiful gray chicken Buttercup, so to many, color doesn't matter.