How to Choose a Limited Company Name: Rules, Checks and Mistakes

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Last updated 23 October 2026. Written by the Limited Company Accountant UK team, part of Accotax. Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year; always check GOV.UK for the latest rates.

Short answer: A UK company name must end in Limited or Ltd, be different from existing names on the register, and avoid offensive or restricted words. Before you register, check the Companies House register, the Intellectual Property Office trademark database and domain availability, because a name that is free to register can still infringe someone else’s rights.

Key facts

Must end with	Limited, Ltd (or Welsh equivalents)
Check	Companies House name register
Also check	Trademark database and domain names
Sensitive words	Need approval, for example Bank, Royal, Chartered
Change later	Possible by special resolution and a £8 fee online

What makes a good company name

A good company name is easy to spell, easy to say and says something about what you do or who you are. It should be distinctive enough that customers can find you online, but not so unusual that people mistype it. Short names are easier to remember, while descriptive names can help search rankings.

Think about how the name will look on a website, an invoice and a business card. Say it out loud and check that it does not sound like another name. Choose a name that will still suit you if the business grows or changes direction, because your trading name and company name do not have to be the same, but consistency avoids confusion.

Companies House naming rules

A limited company name must end with Limited or Ltd, or the Welsh equivalent Cyfyngedig or Cyf. The name must not be the same as, or too similar to, an existing company name on the register. Companies House checks for names that are the same, and can reject a name that is too like an existing one, though minor differences such as punctuation are ignored in the same-as test.

Certain words are not allowed unless you have permission, such as those that suggest a connection with government or a particular status. Offensive words, and names that imply a criminal activity, are rejected outright. You can check availability on the Companies House website before you apply.

Sensitive words and restricted names

Some words are sensitive and need approval from the relevant body before you can use them. Words that suggest national or international pre-eminence, such as British, National or International, or those suggesting official status, such as Authority, Board or Royal, are examples. Words associated with regulated sectors, such as Bank, Insurance, Pharmacy or Chartered, may need approval from a regulator or professional body.

If you include a sensitive word, you must write to the specified body for permission and send the proof with the application. This can take extra time, so choose a different name if you want to incorporate quickly.

Checking trademarks and passing off

Registering a name at Companies House does not give you ownership of the name as a brand. Someone else may already hold a trademark in a similar name for similar goods or services, and they could challenge you for infringement or passing off. Companies House can also order a name change within 12 months if it is too similar to an existing name and someone complains.

Search the Intellectual Property Office trademark register and do a web search for the name before you incorporate. If the brand matters to your business, consider registering your own trademark.

Domain names and social handles

Check that a matching domain name is available, ideally a .co.uk or .com. A matching domain makes it easier for customers to find you and for your email addresses to look professional. Check the social media handles you want on the main platforms, and secure them early.

If the exact name is not available, consider small variations, but avoid names that are confusingly close to a competitor, because that can create legal risk and weaken your brand.

Mistakes to avoid

Common mistakes include choosing a name that is too similar to a well-known brand, using a geographic name that limits future expansion, picking a name that is hard to spell, and forgetting to check the domain. Another is including words in the name that need approval, which delays registration.

A final mistake is rushing. The name will appear on contracts, invoices and the public register, so take time to test it with a few people before committing.

Changing your name later

You can change your company name later. The process requires a special resolution of the shareholders, which needs 75% approval, and an online filing with Companies House, which costs £20 and is processed within hours. You must also update your stationery, website, bank, HMRC details and any contracts, and the new certificate of change of name is evidence of the change.

Changing the name does not change the company number, its legal obligations or its tax history. It is simple, but it takes time to update everywhere, so choose carefully at the start.

A step-by-step name check

Follow a short process before you apply. Write down three to five name ideas. Search each on the Companies House register to check that it is not in use. Search the trademark register for similar marks in your field. Check domain names and social handles. Ask a few friends or customers how they read and understand the name. Then choose your favourite, and register it as soon as possible, because names are allocated on a first-come basis.

If your first choice is taken, add a descriptive word or location rather than a random change, because that keeps the name meaningful and easy to remember.

Name rules for particular business types

Some professions have extra naming requirements. Solicitors, accountants, estate agents, financial advisers and medical practitioners are regulated, and their professional bodies may have rules about the use of certain terms. If your business offers protected titles, such as Chartered Accountant, you must be properly qualified to use them.

If you are unsure, ask the relevant regulator before registering the name. A short enquiry can prevent the cost and delay of a rejection, or a later complaint.

Quick checklist before you register

Before you press submit, confirm that the name ends in Limited or Ltd, that it is free on the Companies House register, and that it does not contain a sensitive word that needs approval. Confirm that no trademark clash exists in your field, that the domain and social handles are available, and that the spelling is correct. Decide whether you will trade under the same name, and make sure the director and shareholder details are ready. A five-minute check now avoids a rejected application or an expensive rebrand later, so treat it as part of the registration itself.

Frequently asked questions

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