Your company name is often the first impression potential clients and partners get of your business. It must be legally available, commercially memorable, and practically useful for years to come. Get it right from the start — changing a company name later is possible but involves bureaucracy and brand disruption.
Companies House Naming Rules
Before you fall in love with a name, check it against Companies House's strict rules. Your proposed company name cannot be:
- Identical or too similar to an existing registered company name
- Offensive or contain words that suggest criminal intent
- Misleading about the nature or scale of your business
- An "unapproved" sensitive name without the relevant authority's written consent
Sensitive Words Requiring Permission
Certain words in a company name require prior approval from a relevant body before Companies House will accept them. These include words like: Bank, Building Society, Insurance, Royal, British, England, National, International, European, Group, Holdings, Chemist, and Pharmacy — among many others.
Using these words without permission will result in your application being rejected. Companies House publishes a full list of sensitive words and expressions on its website.
Checking Name Availability
Use the Companies House name availability checker (WebFiling) to search the existing register. Remember: a name that is available at Companies House is not necessarily available as a trademark or domain name. Conduct parallel checks:
- Companies House register: companieshouse.gov.uk
- UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) trademark search
- Domain name availability (.co.uk and .com)
- Social media handle availability across key platforms
Practical Naming Tips
Beyond the legal requirements, a great company name should be:
- Easy to spell and pronounce — if clients cannot find you online or spell your name in a referral, the name is working against you
- Memorable — short names or distinctive words stick in memory better than long, generic descriptions
- Scalable — avoid hyper-specific geographic or product references that could limit growth (e.g. "Brighton Web Design Ltd" limits you geographically)
- Distinct from competitors — a name that sounds like a competitor creates confusion, not credibility
- Future-proof — avoid references to specific years, technology, or trends that may date quickly
Name Endings: Limited vs. Ltd
All private limited companies must end their name in "Limited" or "Ltd." Both are legally equivalent. Most companies use "Ltd" in their trading name for brevity, while the full "Limited" may appear on formal documents. Welsh companies (registered in Wales) can alternatively use "Cyfyngedig" or "Cyf".
Trading Names vs. Registered Names
Your company can trade under a different name from its registered name. For example, your registered company might be "Smith & Partners Consulting Limited" while you trade as "Apex Consulting". However, you must display your full registered company name and number on all official documents, invoices, and your website.
If you plan to use a trading name, ensure you register the corresponding domain name and trademark to protect your brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two companies have the same name in the UK?
No. Companies House will reject a name that is the same as or too similar to an existing registered company. "Too similar" is assessed based on whether an ordinary person would likely confuse the two names.
Can I change my company name after registration?
Yes. A company name can be changed by passing a special resolution of the shareholders and filing the change with Companies House (form NM01). There is a small fee. The change takes effect when Companies House issues a new Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name.
Does my company name protect my brand?
No. Registering a company name with Companies House does not give you trademark protection. It only prevents other companies from registering the identical name. To protect your brand name, you need to register a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office.
Can I use my own name as a company name?
Yes, using your personal name as your company name is allowed (e.g. "John Smith Consulting Ltd"). This is a common choice for consultants and professionals.
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