The endearing simplicity of Bangladeshi brand names

As I was scrolling through my Facebook feed recently, one particular post caught my eye. It was about someone's recent visit to Bangladesh. Apparently, what fascinated them the most was the delightful simplicity of brand names in the country, and how these brands embraced their Bangla roots with names that were refreshingly straightforward.

Take Dorjibari as an example. Established in 2003, Dorjibari has become one of the go-to clothing stores for Bangladeshis, especially among men. I must admit, the simplicity of the name represents the elegance and style that this brand exudes. Then there's Khut, a brand that is all about recycled fashion and turning rejected clothes into art. The owners of Khut were so inspired by the exquisite hand-stitched patterns on discarded garments that they named their brand after this idea. The philosophy behind the name is poetic: acknowledging that perfection is overrated and that beauty can be found in the flaws. I have to hand it to them; it's a clever play on words and a reminder that imperfection can be pretty cool.

And then we have the mobile financial service brand, Nagad. It offers a secure and dynamic digital service for most of one's money-related needs. The brilliance of the name lies in its simplicity. Nagad means "cash" in Bangla. Again, we see a brand that didn't beat around the bush, but called its service what it is.

When it comes to grocery delivery services, Chaldal is somewhat of a kingpin. They can bring almost every household item you could need right to your doorstep. And the service is named after chal (rice) and dal (lentils), which are staples of the Bangladeshi diet. They certainly knew the way to the hearts and stomachs of their customer base.

Online marketplaces such as Bikroy.com also follow this trend of simplistic branding. Bikroy literally means "sell" in Bangla. The way they did not resort to any jargon or make it complicated is certainly admirable. And how can we forget our national flag carrier, Biman? Biman, of course, means "aircraft" in Bangla. Again, talk about keeping it straightforward!

Last but not least is OBHAI, a ride-sharing app that links cabs, bikes, and auto-rickshaws to commuters. The name itself is endearing, as the latter part of it means "brother" in Bangla. It's like having a trusted sibling by your side, ready to whisk you away to your destination. "Pouchhe debo," their tagline says, which translates to "Will get you there."

These brand names not only show respect for Bangla, a language for which Bangalees fought hard, but they also demonstrate the country's rich cultural heritage and the importance of embracing simplicity. Sometimes, keeping it simple and relatable is the way to go.

Sheikh Sidratul Muntaha is a student at the Department of English of the University of Asia Pacific.