What’s in a Name? Why the Same Soap Might Have a New Name Each Year

Have you ever picked up a product, taken in the scent, and thought: Wait… haven’t I smelled this before? You’re not wrong.

One of the most loved fragrances at Findlay Creek Soap Company is back for a third summer—but you might not recognize it right away. This year, it’s going by a different name. Again.

Let me explain why.

The Scent That Keeps Coming Back

Every summer, I find myself drawn back to the same fragrance oil. It’s fresh and breezy, with crisp agave notes and soft ocean air. It’s well-behaved in cold process soap (which soapmakers know is a blessing) and it fits the season perfectly. It’s one of those scents that just works—for me, and for many of you, too.

This year, I brought it back as a limited edition once again. But like the years before, I gave it a brand new design, new colours, and a new name: Ocean & Agave.

So if you’ve tried something before called Mermaid Tales or Mermaid Lagoon, and this one smells very familiar—you’re not imagining things. It’s the same fragrance. But this time, the soap looks different. And I chose a new name to reflect that.

A Look Back: Same Scent, Different Stories

Year One: Mermaid Tales

This version used a Taiwan Circling Swirl technique, which created a shape that looked like the silhouette of a mermaid tail. The pastel palette paired well with the general theme of mermaids. Although I do not make many soaps using this technique, this was a fun project to try out new skills and develop my craft as a soap maker.

Year Two: Mermaid Lagoon

The next year, I tried a one-pot wonder swirl with vibrant tropical blues and greens that rippled like waves running across a sandy beach. The name “Mermaid Lagoon” built on the fantasy feel of the first, evoking a peaceful escape to a dreamy sea. The fragrance oil I used for all of these soaps, called "Salt Water Mermaid" is a joy to work with in cold process soaps.

This method results in a soap that is very thin and running at first, which gradually thickens over time. Other factors, such as the amount of blending or different additives can speed the thickening up. While this is very useful for some design techniques (creating layer soaps for one), many techniques need a soap batter that stays fluid for a long time. With a fragrance like this, the design possibilities are almost limitless, allowing me as a soap making a ton of creativity to experiment.

This Year: Ocean & Agave

This summer, I went in a different direction. This designed used the kiss pour technique and created a soft gradient that looks like foaming waves drifting atop tropical waters. It felt calmer, more refined. And the name? I stripped away the fantasy and focused on the fragrance itself—clean ocean water, fresh agave, sunshine on skin. “Ocean & Agave” just made sense.

Why Change the Name at All?

I think about this a lot. Would it be better to keep the same name every year, so that repeat customers can more easily find something they’ve loved before?

There’s something to be said for consistency. I’ve had customers reach out—online and at markets—asking if I’ll ever bring back a past favourite. And I want you to be able to find your favourites again.

“Naming a soap is where scent, design, and mood all come together.”

But for me, a new design is more than just a new look. It means different colorants (which technically means a different ingredient list), a new visual story, and often, a new feeling that I want the soap to evoke.

Naming a soap is where scent, design, and mood all come together. And when the design changes, I often feel like the name should too.

What I Consider When Naming a Soap

Every naming decision is different, but I usually start by thinking about the scent. What does it remind me of? What story does it tell?

Sometimes, the design drives the name—like with Mermaid Tales. Other times, I name it for the fragrance notes, like Ocean & Agave. I always want the name to spark an emotional response. Ideally, customers will see the soap, take a sniff, and then read the label with a little nod, thinking: “Yep… that fits.”

It’s a small moment, but one that I care about deeply. It's a small moment of connection between us. It gives me the confidence to keep creating and taking risks, knowing that I'm still in the ballpark, that I'm still on a good path.

The Balancing Act: Descriptive vs. Poetic

One challenge I’ve noticed, especially with my Findlay Creek street-named soaps, is that poetic or symbolic names don’t always help people understand what they’re getting—especially online. A name like “Watermelon Wonder” gives you an idea of what it smells like. A name like “Leitrim” might not.

It’s a tricky balance: staying true to a creative vision, while also helping people find what they’re looking for.

With Ocean & Agave, I wanted to broaden the appeal. I wanted to move away from the mermaid imagery and let the scent speak for itself. It’s not about fantasy this time—it’s about freshness.

“Would you prefer a consistent name, even if the look changes? Or do you love discovering something new each season?”

Your Thoughts Matter

As a soapmaker, I spend a lot of time thinking about product names, label copy, ingredients, design… all the behind-the-scenes choices that customers may never know about. But I want to bring you behind the curtain more often.

So I’d love to know:

• Do you prefer consistency in product names so you can repurchase something familiar?
• Or do you enjoy seeing new designs and new names, even if the scent is one you’ve had before?
• Would a note in the product description (like “formerly Mermaid Lagoon”) help bridge that gap?

Leave a comment below or send me a message—this business exists because of you, and your perspective helps me grow.

Introducing: Ocean & Agave

Ocean & Agave is available now in small batches for a limited time. It’s smooth, creamy, and smells like a seaside breeze. Whether you’ve tried its previous incarnations or are meeting it for the first time, I hope it makes your summer shower feel just a little more magical.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this soap, check out the full video on YouTube here—and thank you, as always, for being part of the journey.

— Natasha
Founder, Findlay Creek Soap Company