Business name rules

The rules for business names depend on your business structure. There are two distinct concepts to understand — your registered name (the legal identity of your business) and your trading name (the name you use day-to-day with customers).

Sole traders and partnerships can trade under the owner's name or choose a business name. Limited companies must register a unique company name with Companies House. All businesses can additionally use a trading name that differs from their registered name.

A sole trader or partnership that trades under a business name must show the owner's real name, or all partners' names, on business documents. A partnership with more than 20 partners can instead make the names available on request. You do not register a trading name, but it must not mislead the public about your legal status or identity.

Restricted and sensitive words

Certain words and expressions require prior approval before you can include them in a company name. The Companies Act 2006 (sections 54-56) and the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014 set out two categories:

Words that need Secretary of State approval include:

• "British", "National", "English", "Scottish", "Welsh" and similar national terms
• "Authority", "Board", "Council", "Institute", "Foundation"
• "Royal", "King", "Queen", "Crown", "Prince", "Princess"
• "Police", "Charity", "Benevolent"

Words that need a letter of non-objection from a relevant body include:

• "Accredited" — from the relevant accreditation body
• "Insurance", "Assurance", "Reinsurance" — from the FCA or PRA
• "Dental", "Dentistry" — from the General Dental Council
• "Midwife", "Health Visitor" — from the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• "Pharmacy", "Pharmaceutical" — from the General Pharmaceutical Council

Companies House will reject your application if you use a restricted word without the required approval.

Names that will be rejected

Companies House will refuse to register a company name that:

• Is the same as an existing company name on the register (exact match after stripping punctuation and common words like "the", "and", "company")
• Would constitute a criminal offence to use
• Is offensive
• Contains a restricted word without approval
• Suggests a connection with government or a local authority without approval

Companies House only blocks identical names, not similar ones. However, an existing company can object if your name is too similar and likely to cause confusion (Companies Act 2006 s.69). You could be forced to change your name by the Company Names Tribunal.

Separately, using a name that infringes someone's registered trademark can result in legal action regardless of what Companies House accepts.

Legal display requirements

The Companies Act 2006 (sections 82-85) and the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2009 require you to display your business name and certain details in specific places:

Your company name must appear on:

• Your registered office and any inspection place
• All business letters, notices, and other official publications
• All cheques, promissory notes, endorsements, and orders for money
• All invoices, receipts, and letters of credit
• Your website

Business letters and order forms must also show:

• Company registration number
• Registered office address
• Place of registration (England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland)
• If applicable, that the company is being wound up

Sole traders and partnerships using a trading name must display the proprietor's or partners' names and an address for service on all business documents, stationery, and at their premises (Companies Act 2006 s.1202).

If you fail to display the required information you can be fined up to £1,000, and contracts may be unenforceable against third parties if required details are missing.