Finding love has always been a significant part of the human experience, but the ways we connect have drastically changed over time. From arranged marriages and social gatherings to blind dates and personal ads, each era has had its unique way of bringing people together. In the 21st century, the landscape of dating has been radically transformed by technology, particularly through the advent of dating apps and websites.

The Rise of Online Dating

The concept of online dating isn’t entirely new. The roots of digital matchmaking can be traced back to the early days of the Internet in the 1990s. Websites like Kiss.com launched in 1994, and Match.com, launched in 1995, were among the pioneers, offering a platform for singles to create profiles and search for compatible partners. These early dating sites were primarily web-based, requiring users to access them via a computer, and the process of finding a match was relatively time-consuming.

As technology advanced, so did the platforms. The launch of smartphones and the development of mobile apps in the late 2000s marked a significant turning point. Dating apps like Tinder, which launched in 2012, revolutionised the online dating scene with its swipe-based interface, making the process of finding a match quicker and more accessible than ever before. 

How Dating Apps Work

Most dating apps and websites today use algorithms to match users based on factors like location, interests, and behaviour. The process usually starts with creating a profile, where you share information about yourself and what you’re looking for in a partner.

Different platforms use various methods to help you find a match. Apps like Tinder and Bumble focus on quick judgments, allowing you to swipe through profiles in seconds. On the other hand, platforms like OkCupid and eHarmony use detailed questionnaires to find deeper compatibility based on personality traits.

There are also niche dating apps tailored to specific interests or communities, such as those focused on people of various faiths, sexual orientations, fitness enthusiasts, or even pet owners.

The Double-Edged Sword of Accessibility

One of the most significant advantages of dating apps and websites is their accessibility. These platforms have made it easier for people to find love or companionship regardless of their location, social circle, or lifestyle. However, this accessibility comes with its own set of challenges.

For one, the ease of creating profiles and initiating conversations has led to an increase in “ghosting,” where one person abruptly cuts off communication without explanation. This phenomenon can be emotionally distressing, leaving the person on the receiving end with unanswered questions and a sense of rejection.

Additionally, the anonymity provided by online dating can sometimes lead to deceptive behaviour. “Catfishing,” where someone creates a fake profile to lure others into a relationship, has become a well-known issue. While most dating platforms have measures in place to detect and prevent such behaviour, it remains a risk that users must navigate.

Celeb Couples Who Met on Dating Apps

Many celebrities have found love through dating apps, proving that digital matchmaking is popular even among the famous. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles met her now-husband Jonathan Owens on Raya, a favorite among celebrities, as did actor David Harbour and singer Lily Allen, and comedian Nick Kroll and artist Lily Kwong. Meanwhile, actress Laverne Cox and Kyle Draper found each other on Tinder in 2017.

The Future of Online Dating

As technology continues to advance, the future of online dating is likely to see further innovations. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are expected to play an increasingly significant role in matchmaking, with algorithms becoming more sophisticated in predicting compatibility. Virtual and augmented reality could also revolutionise the dating experience, offering immersive environments where users can interact in ways that go beyond text and images.

The trend towards niche dating apps is likely to continue, with platforms catering to increasingly specific interests and demographics. This specialisation allows users to find partners who align with their unique values and lifestyles, making the search for a compatible partner more efficient.

Naming Trends in Dating Apps

Short and Memorable Names

Many dating apps choose short, catchy names that are easy to remember and help users quickly recall the brand. Examples like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are effective because they stand out in a crowded market and are easy for users to share and recommend.

Creative and Distinctive Names

Some dating apps opt for creative or unique names to build a distinctive brand identity and grab user attention. Names, like Coffee Meets Bagel and Plenty of Fish, use playful or metaphorical language to leave a memorable impression and set themselves apart from the competition.

Niche-Focused Naming

Certain dating platforms use names that clearly reflect their target audience or specific dating niche. For example, ChristianMingle, SingleMuslim, BlackPeopleMeet, LesbianPersonals, and MillionaireMatch use descriptive names that indicate their focus on particular communities. This strategy helps attract users who are looking for specific types of relationships or partners.

Dictionary Words as Brand Names

Some dating apps use familiar dictionary words as their brand names to create a strong, recognisable identity. Examples include Match, EliteSingles, Seeking, NextLove, Passion, Date, Dating, and Feels. These words are easy to remember and clearly convey the platform’s purpose or the emotions tied to dating and relationships.

Domain Names Highlights

146 of the 150 dating apps and websites on our list use a .com domain because it is more recognisable to people on the internet. As the most popular TLD, the .com extension can make it simpler for users to find the website, which is particularly important in the online dating industry where ease of access and trust are key factors in attracting and retaining users.

121 use Exact Brand Match (EBM) .com domains. The EBM domain is the natural choice when searching for the company online, ensuring greater brand consistency and improved online presence.  

4 companies use a dash in their domain name. Adding hyphens is not advised since it adds complexity for consumers who frequently overlook it while typing in a domain name.

Namepicks

Match Group

Match Group, Inc. is an American internet and technology company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It operates the largest global portfolio of online dating services, including popular brands like Tinder, Match.com, Meetic, OkCupid, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and OurTime. Originally a subsidiary of IAC, Match Group became an independent company in July 2020. 

Our mission is to spark meaningful connections for every single person worldwide. In the 20+ years since we pioneered online dating, hundreds of millions of members from all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds have used our apps to form meaningful connections. We’re still on the cutting edge of bringing people together, revolutionizing the way people connect.

Match Group

The corporate website is located at Mtch.com, and one of their flagship brands operates on Match.com. The group owns over 19,300 domains, including premium names like Kiss.com and Chemistry.com, along with numerous country-specific domains and variations of their brand names.

Match.com

Match.com was founded in 1993 by Gary Kremen and Peng T. Ong in San Francisco. Initially, the company behind the platform was called Electric Classifieds Inc., while Match.com was the name of the website. The site’s free beta version went live in 1995, marking the beginning of online dating as we know it. In 1998, the site was acquired by Cendant, a business and consumer services provider, and a year later, IAC purchased Match.com.

Decades later, Match.com remains a leading platform with over 39 million members worldwide. Match.com proudly claims that over 1 million babies have been born thanks to connections made through Match connection over the years.

Our mission is simple: to help singles find the kind of relationship they’re looking for. And we think we’re pretty good at it. Every month, we hear from hundreds of success couples from all over the world—sharing love stories, sending invitations to weddings and announcing the births of new babies. It’s no wonder everyone knows someone who’s found love on Match.com!

Match.com

Adding the .com extension to the brand name simplifies the customer journey, reduces reliance on third-party platforms, and strengthens the brand’s online presence, ultimately enhancing the customer experience.

Tinder

Tinder is a popular online dating app that was launched in 2012, quickly becoming one of the most recognised names in the industry due to its innovative approach to connecting people. Tinder was founded by Sean Rad, Jonathan Badeen, Justin Mateen, Joe Munoz, Dinesh Moorjani, and Whitney Wolfe Herd (who later founded Bumble). Initially named “MatchBox,” the team decided to rename it to “Tinder” to avoid confusion with Match.com. The new name was inspired by the idea of sparking a connection or igniting a flame between two people, much like tinder—the material used to start a fire.

Tinder gained rapid popularity due to its innovative swipe feature, allowing users to swipe right if they are interested in someone and left if they are not. This simple yet engaging concept made Tinder the most downloaded dating application in the world, with over 75 million monthly active users.

We’re on a mission to power and inspire real connections by making meeting easy and fun for every new generation of singles.

Tinder

Tinder ensures its global accessibility with its website, found at the Exact Brand Match (EBM) .com domain, Tinder.com. 

Plenty of Fish / POF

Plenty of Fish (often abbreviated as POF) is one of the largest and most well-known online dating platforms, particularly recognised for its extensive user base and free access to most of its features. POF was founded in 2003 by Markus Frind, a software engineer from Vancouver, Canada, who originally developed the platform as a side project. However, it quickly grew into a highly successful dating site, largely due to its simplicity, ease of use, and the fact that it offered free access at a time when many other dating sites charged for basic features. In 2015, Plenty of Fish was acquired by Match Group for $575 million in cash.

The phrase “There’s plenty of fish in the sea” is a common expression used to comfort someone who has experienced a romantic breakup or rejection. It suggests that, just as there are many fish in the sea, there are many potential romantic partners in the world. The saying encourages the idea that, although one relationship may not have worked out, there are still many opportunities for love and connection with others. It conveys a sense of optimism and reassurance that another, potentially better, match is out there waiting to be found.

There is a lot of superficiality in society, especially since the rise of social media where people see the lives of others only through the lens of perfectly curated photo feeds. Singles feel more pressure to conform to these ideals than ever before. At Plenty of Fish, we’re focused on diving deep and listening to member feedback, looking at the data and making better informed product decisions. Our aim is to alleviate the pressure that surrounds dating today.

Malgosia Green, CEO of Match Group Asia (CEO of Plenty of Fish from 2018-2022)

Plenty of Fish operates under the three-letter .com domain POF.com. These domains are highly valued for their rarity, brevity and adaptability, commonly serving as easy-to-remember acronyms for longer company names. The company also owns PlentyOfFish.com.

Nextlove

Nextlove is an online dating platform specifically designed for single and divorced parents seeking meaningful relationships. Founded with the goal of catering to a niche market, Nextlove provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals who may find it challenging to navigate the dating world while balancing the responsibilities of parenthood. The platform understands the unique needs and concerns of its users, offering features that help them connect with others who share similar life experiences.

The name “Nextlove” perfectly encapsulates the idea of helping single and divorced parents find love again.

Nextlove was created especially for the divorced or separated singles from all over the globe, seeking long-term relationships, true love, or just similar-minded people. We understand the challenges and concerns that divorced moms or dads may face when deciding to venture into a new romantic relationship, and are here to help you find someone in the same boat.

Nextlove

Nextlove can be found at their EBM domain, Nextlove.com. Domains with dictionary words followed by .com are highly valued for their memorability, clarity, and authority. These types of domains greatly enhance a brand’s online visibility and credibility, making them particularly appealing and trustworthy to users.

Bumble

Bumble is a popular online dating and social networking platform that was launched in December 2014. It was founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd, who had previously co-founded Tinder but left the company due to conflicts and eventually filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment. Determined to create a safer, more empowering space for women in the online dating world, Wolfe Herd established Bumble with a unique twist: on Bumble, women make the first move.

The platform operates on a similar swipe-based model as Tinder, but with a key difference—once two users match, only the woman can initiate the conversation in heterosexual matches. This feature was designed to encourage a more respectful and considerate approach to online dating, giving women greater control over their interactions. For homosexual matches, either person can start the conversation.

We’re the only app that makes dating better by putting women’s experiences first. Because when things are better for women, they’re better for everyone.

Bumble

Bumble operates under the domain, Bumble.com, but has also secured a variety of related domains with different extensions, added words, and common misspellings of the brand name, such as getbumbleapp.com, bumbleonline.com, bumblele.com, bumbletv.com, bumble.org, bumble-app.com, bumble.ai, bumbleshop.com, bumbleapp.com, bumbleusa.com, bumblecom.com, wwwbumble.com, bumblesucks.com, bumbke.com, bubmle.com, shopbumble.com, among many others. This domain strategy ensures that Bumble’s users experience seamless access to the platform, protecting the brand and maintaining its strong market presence.

eHarmony

eHarmony is one of the most well-known online dating platforms, particularly recognised for its focus on creating long-term, meaningful relationships. Founded in 2000 by Dr Neil Clark Warren, a clinical psychologist, eHarmony was developed with a scientific approach to matchmaking, aiming to connect singles based on deep compatibility rather than superficial attraction.

When users sign up for eHarmony, they are required to complete an extensive questionnaire covering various aspects of their personality, values, preferences, and lifestyle. This information is then used to match users with potential partners who are likely to be highly compatible with them, increasing the chances of forming a lasting relationship.

At eHarmony, real love is at the center of everything we do. Since 2000, we have been at the forefront of creating highly compatible relationships based on key dimensions of personality that predict the most successful, meaningful relationships. And we are proud to say that over the last 20 years, we have created over 2 million successful relationships in over 125 countries.

eHarmony

eHarmony operates on the EBM domain eharmony.com. To further safeguard its brand and ensure seamless access for users, eHarmony owns over 2,800 additional domain names. These include variations like christianmatching.com, country-specific extensions like eharmony.co.uk, and common misspellings such as eharmoney.com and e-harmony.com. 

While we make every effort to ensure the data on our site is accurate, complete, and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee its reliability. Our data is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or other advice. We strongly recommend that you independently verify any information before relying on it.

Premium domain names are an important investment for any brand. If you’re ready to take the plunge and secure a premium domain name for your business, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. We’re here to help you choose the perfect domain name and get it set up for your brand.

Other resources

apps branding business dating domain domain name domain names domains naming