Choose the right name for your business
Introduction
Choosing a name for your business is a creative and enjoyable process. It is also one that you need to get right. Customers may infer a lot from your business name and first impressions count.
While it may be tempting to try to stamp your individual personality on your business name, there are many other issues to consider. Being objective and choosing a name that reflects your business strategy can be more valuable, especially as your business develops.
This guide shows you how to create the right impression, display your business name, consider whether your business name will be your brand and get your name on the web. It also outlines the specific rules that you must follow when choosing a company name for a limited company, sole trader or partnership.
Subjects covered in this guide
- Introduction
- Choosing a business name to create the right impression
- Names for limited companies and LLPs
- Names for sole traders, partnerships and limited partnerships
- Use of sensitive words and expressions in business names
- Displaying and disclosing your business, company or limited liability partnership name
- Getting your business name on the internet
- Here's how I chose the name for my business

Companies House Contact Centre
0303 1234 500
Business Link Helpline
0845 600 9 006

Actions
- Use our interactive tool to search for an available company name and trade mark
- Choosing a domain name advice from Nominet - Opens in a new window
- Manage your personal list of starting-up tasks with our Business start-up organiser



