If you’ve ever visited Zoya.com to do a polish color search for your first name, let’s just say you’re not alone. The professional nail manufacturer’s polish names are a veritable who’s who of important women, many of whom share names (sometimes coincidentally, sometimes not) with nail techs and clients. Unlike those key chains at tourist gift shops that feature only the most common names, Zoya polishes have a penchant for names that are historical, musical, and ultimately meaningful. “It’s something good I started many years ago,” says founder Zoya Reyzis. As a classical pianist, Reyzis wanted to educate others about art, music, and culture. She says, “When my polish brand started, I connected these things together. With red colors I thought about great women in history who lived and died for love and passion. I connected the lighter colors with ballet, giving them names like Snow White and Giselle.”

Today the colors are still named after women, but are usually inspired by pop culture and celebrities. Zoya fans have been known to suggest names ranging from their favorite teacher to their favorite astronaut — all of which are considered. (There’s literally a “wall-o-names” at the company’s headquarters, where suggestions are pinned.) Sometimes the brand even holds contests on its Facebook (facebook.com/zoyanailpolish) and Twitter (@Zoya_NailPolish) pages for suggestions, with the winner frequently winning the new polish collection. And, yes, customer service agents are available to tell you if your name exists as a Zoya polish or to take your suggestion if the website’s search button doesn’t satisfy you. (The easiest way to submit a polish name suggestion is to e-mail ErinG@ArtofBeauty.com.)

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