How much does getting a name trademarked in the US cost?

Not sure the exact cost but it's more expensive (and complex) than just a copyright. Not as bad as a patent however.

One thing about a TM: You have to keep renewing it and prove that it's being used. IOW you can't just lock up something as a TM. You have to be using it.

It really depends on the trademark, if it's something that isn't used a lot, or there no chance for it to be requested by MANY companies the procie is lower...

it varies, but usally it's very cheap, not like registering a company...

Good luck

See:
http://www.uspto.gov/

If you get a good lawyer to do it, it's about $700-1,100 per trademark.

It is not hard to do it yourself, by a lawyer can do all the work for you as it is a process.

You also need a clear professional graphic design spec for the symbol or logo you're trying to TM.

Items can also be trademarked without actually registering the mark. It falls under first use.