How to choose a company name?

Wondering how to choose a company name that ticks all the right boxes? It’s one of the first and most important steps when setting up your business. 🎯

Your name is your first impression. It should suit your brand, be easy to remember, and pass all the boring-but-important legal checks with Companies House and HMRC. ✅

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose a company name that’s smart, simple, and future-proof, whether you’re starting from scratch or simply rebranding.

What does HMRC say about company names?

There are a few rules to follow before you fall in love with a name. ❤️

When deciding how to choose a company name, Companies House and HMRC have a list of dos and don’ts.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Needs to be unique

First things first, your name needs to be unique. That means it can’t be the same as another company registered with Companies House. 

For example: Cake Club Ltd, CakeClub UK Ltd and The Cake Club Limited would all be considered the same as Cake Club Ltd. 🍰

2. Include ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’

If you’re setting up a limited company, your name must also include ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ at the end. 

If you’re Welsh, you can use ‘Cyfyngedig’ and ‘Cyf’ instead.

There are some exceptions, though. If you’re registered as a charity or have special permission, you might not need to include this.

3. Avoid offensive or sensitive words

This one goes without saying, but anything rude or potentially misleading is a big no-no.

4. Watch out for trademarks

Your name may be available for use on Companies House, but have you checked if it’s already trademarked? 

Plus, if your name is similar to another company, they could make a complaint, and Companies House might ask you to change it.

For example, Planet Pizza Ltd could be considered similar to Planit Pizzas Limited. 🍕

Different spelling, but the concept is pretty much the same.

5. Trading under a different name

There is some good news, though! You can choose a different trading name from the one you registered with Companies House.

If Finance Bros Ltd is your legal name, you could trade as Smart Money Club instead. 

4. No punctuation or special symbols

Unfortunately, you can’t use special characters like !, £, or @. Companies House is pretty strict here.

5. Be careful with ‘official-sounding’ words 

If you’re thinking about including words like:

• Authority
• Commission
• Board
• Association
• Regulator

Companies House might think you’re trying to sound like a government body, and they’ll reject your name application. ⛔

Tips for choosing a great company name

Now for the fun part, here’s how to choose a company name that’s not just legal, but brilliant: 

1. Make it memorable

Short and snappy names are easier to remember. Avoid long-winded words, weird spellings, or anything that’s tricky to say out loud.

2. Say it out loud

Speaking of, say it out loud a few times. Does it roll off the tongue? Would you be comfortable answering the phone with it? If it’s awkward to say, it might be awkward to brand. 🗣️

3. Think ahead

Pick a name that works now and in the future. Vegan Cupcakes London might sound great now, but what if you want to expand outside of London? Vegan Cupcakes UK or Kind Bakes might be a better alternative.

4. Check availability everywhere

Before you commit, check if:

• The domain is free
• Social handles are available
• The name isn’t already trademarked

5. Think about marketing

When thinking about how to choose a company name, you’ll need to consider how easy it is to search for and find online. 🔍

Avoid anything too generic or tricky to spell. A name that’s SEO-friendly can make a big difference, too!

6. Ask for feedback

Ask friends, family, or potential customers for their thoughts on your new name. If you have to explain or spell it every time, it might not be the best choice.

Can I change my company name later?

Absolutely! It’s not the end of the world if you set up your company and change your mind later.

You can change your company name after it’s registered.

Here’s how you do this:

Read more about this in our guide on how to change your company name on Companies House.