Choosing a name for your business

Naming your business is an important process. The name you choose will stick with you, for better or worse, for the rest of your business career. But some names are not legally allowed, and your name will need to be original in your niche.

Catchy names

Most companies want their business name and domain name to relate to each other, so it’s wise to carry out a search of available domain names before registering a company name. That short, snappy brand name may already be taken, and it may be difficult to come up with an alternative domain name that sounds as good as the original.

It’s a good idea not to go too weird, since people will inevitably search for you online. If you come up with a name they can’t spell, your organic search traffic will be limited.

Finally, check registered trademarks to ensure you’re not going to infringe on someone else’s property. Most business names aren’t trademarked, but it’s sensible to do your homework, just in case. Search through trademarked names at https://www.gov.uk/search-for-trademark

Legal restrictions

Businesses in the UK are prohibited from using any name that might amount to a false claim of authority. You won’t be allowed to use the word ‘British’, any word linked to government, or any word that suggests you might be regulated when you’re not (such as ‘building society’). If you mention a specific profession, such as ‘social worker’, ‘vet’ or ‘Olympian’, you’ll need approval from an industry body.

You also cannot use offensive words or names, or a name that’s already been taken. If another business feels that your name is misleading, it can apply to force you to change it. Signs and symbols aren’t allowed, so you won’t be able to register a foreign word if it uses a special character.

Finally, it’s not possible to register a website domain as a company name. You’ll have to be creative to get around this if you want your company name and domain to match.

Points to remember

Some businesses, like limited companies, must also append their status on the end of their name. For example, ‘Limited’, ‘PLC’, or a Welsh-language equivalent. You don’t need to type this in to your Companies House application, but bear in mind its impact on your final name. Once you append ‘Limited’ to a long name, it becomes fairly tedious to write.

If all else fails…

If you decide to change your name, it can be a complicated process. But there is a simple way to circumvent all the red tape. Simply use your original name ‘Trading As’ your new name. You can ask your bank to accept payments sent to your new name, while still leaving your account in your old name, so cheques can be paid to both.

This isn’t a completely foolproof process, and it’s wise to register both names with Companies House to avoid any future confusion. However, this can be a simple way to sidestep any regrets you have over choosing your business name.