Why Wordlark?

A “lark” can refer to an animal. It can also describe someone who wakes up energized and enthused to do their work, just like the bird known for early morning songs.

The logo is an origami bird, symbolizing the belief that creativity thrives on constraint.

A woman with glasses, long brown hair, and a white sweater leaning against a tree outdoors in front of a brick building with trees and parked cars in the background.
A woman with glasses, long brown hair, and a white sweater leaning against a tree outdoors in front of a brick building with trees and parked cars in the background.

Hi there!

Wordlark was founded by Katy Steinmetz (who is loath but willing to refer to herself in the third person when writing an “About” section).

Katy started Wordlark after several years working with Catchword, a leading naming agency. She still partners with them, and others, on naming and editorial projects.

Before working in naming, Katy served as the San Francisco Bureau Chief for TIME, where she worked for a decade. During that time, she wrote several cover stories, including three that were nominated for GLAAD Awards, and fell deeply in love with writing and reporting on language. (You can see some of that work here.)

Katy has provided commentary on naming for outlets including NPR, Fast Company, and the Washington Post. She is also a crossword constructor and has had puzzles published in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times.

When she isn’t doing something highly nerdy, she spends time romping around Northern Arizona with her husband, two children, and one Bernedoodle.