How to check company name availability

Step-by-step process for checking company name availability at Companies House, including the name availability checker, same-as rules, and similarity objections.

Before registering a company name, check it is available and will not be rejected or challenged. Companies House only blocks identical names, but existing companies can object to names that are too similar.

Step 1 - Check the register: Use the free Companies House name availability checker to search for identical names. The tool strips punctuation, spacing, and common words ('the', 'and', 'company') when comparing.
Step 2 - Check trademarks: Search the IPO trademark register at gov.uk/search-for-trademark. A registered trademark owner can force you to change your name even if Companies House accepted it.
Step 3 - Check domain names: Search for matching .co.uk and .com domains. Register them before incorporating to prevent others acquiring them.
Step 4 - Check social media: Search major platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok) for your proposed name. Consistent naming across channels strengthens your brand.
Step 5 - Check restricted words: Review the sensitive words list. If your name includes a restricted word, obtain approval before applying or your application will be rejected.
Same-as rules: Companies House treats names as identical after removing punctuation, accents, 'the', 'and', 'company', 'limited', and 'ltd'. So 'The Smith Company Limited' and 'Smith Ltd' are considered the same name.
Similarity objections (s.69): An existing company can object within 12 months if your name is too similar and likely to cause confusion. The Company Names Tribunal can order you to change your name.

Check company name availability

Search the trademark register

Understanding registered names and trading names

Before you start checking, understand what type of name you need. The rules and checking process differ depending on your business structure.

Registered name vs trading name

Quick reference distinguishing registered name, company name, and trading name with display requirements per structure type.

Every business has a registered name (its legal identity) and may also use a trading name (the name customers see). The rules differ by business structure.

Sole trader registered name: Your legal name (e.g. 'Jane Smith'). Automatically registered when you tell HMRC you are self-employed. No Companies House involvement.
Sole trader trading name: You can trade as anything (e.g. 'Smith Design Co') but must show your real name on all business documents, invoices, and at your premises.
Partnership registered name: Partners' legal names. Must show all partners' names on documents (or make available on request if more than 20 partners).
Limited company registered name: Must be unique, registered with Companies House, and end in 'Limited' or 'Ltd' (or Welsh equivalents 'Cyfyngedig' or 'Cyf').
Limited company trading name: A Ltd company can trade under a different name. Both the registered name and trading name must appear on official documents.
LLP registered name: Must be unique and end in 'Limited Liability Partnership' or 'LLP'. Same naming rules as limited companies.
Key distinction: Trading names are NOT registered anywhere. You simply start using them. But you must not mislead the public about your legal status or identity.

Checking Companies House

If you are forming a limited company or LLP, your registered name must be unique on the Companies House register. Use the free name availability checker — it applies the same 'same-as' rules that Companies House uses when processing applications.

Important: Companies House only blocks identical names (after stripping punctuation and common words). It does not check for similar names. However, an existing company can object to a similar name within 12 months under s.69 of the Companies Act 2006, potentially forcing you to change.

Sole traders and partnerships do not register their name with Companies House, but should still search the register to avoid confusion with existing companies.

Checking trademarks

A company name registration does not give you trademark rights, and a trademark does not register your company name. They are separate systems.

Search the UK trademark register before committing to any business name. If someone has trademarked your proposed name (or something confusingly similar) for the same type of goods or services, using it could lead to legal action — regardless of what Companies House accepted.

If your name is clear, consider registering it as a trademark yourself for stronger legal protection.

Trademark registration process

Step-by-step process for registering a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office.

A trademark protects your brand identity - including business names, logos, slogans, sounds, and colours. Registration gives you exclusive rights to use your trademark for the goods and services you register it for, and the right to take legal action against anyone who uses it without permission.

Application fee (1 class) — from 1 April 2026: £205 (was £170 before 1 April 2026)
Each additional class — from 1 April 2026: +£60 per class (was +£50 before 1 April 2026)
Examination period: Approximately 2 months
Opposition period: 2 months after publication
Total registration time: 3 to 4 months if no objections
Protection duration: 10 years from filing date
Renewal fee (1 class) — from 1 April 2026: £245 every 10 years (was £200 before 1 April 2026)
Renewal fee additional classes — from 1 April 2026: +£60 per class (was +£50 before 1 April 2026)

Important considerations

Use it or lose it: You must use your trademark within 5 years of registration or it can be cancelled for non-use.
UK protection only: UK registration only protects your mark in the UK. For EU protection, apply for an EU trademark. For international protection, consider the Madrid Protocol system.
Professional advice: Consider using a trademark attorney for complex applications, especially if your mark is similar to existing marks or covers multiple classes.
Objections are common: Around 60% of applications receive at least one objection from the examiner. Most can be resolved by amending the application or providing arguments.

Register a trademark

Checking domains and social media

In practice, your online presence matters as much as your legal name. Before committing:

Domain names: Check .co.uk and .com availability. Register both if available — even if you only plan to use one initially. Domains cost £5-15 per year.
Social media handles: Search Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok for your proposed name. Consistent handles across platforms strengthen your brand.
Google search: Search your proposed name to check for existing businesses, negative associations, or unintended meanings in other languages.

If your exact name is not available as a domain, consider whether a slight variation works or whether you should choose a different name entirely.

1

Search the Companies House register

Use the free name availability checker. If forming a limited company, this is the definitive check for whether your registered name will be accepted.
2

Search the UK trademark register

Check at gov.uk/search-for-trademark that your name does not conflict with an existing trademark in your class of goods or services.
3

Register matching domain names

Secure .co.uk and .com domains before incorporating. Domains are cheap (£5-15/year) but impossible to get back if someone else registers them first.
4

Reserve social media handles

Create accounts on major platforms using your business name, even if you do not plan to use them immediately. This prevents others taking your name.
5

Consider trademark registration

If your name is clear across all checks, consider registering it as a UK trademark (£170 for one class) for stronger legal protection.

Check company name availability

Search the trademark register

Name checking resources

Tools for checking business name availability across different registers.

Companies House name availability checker (opens in a new tab)
Free tool to check if your proposed company name is available.
Companies House
UK trademark search (opens in a new tab)
Search existing UK trademarks before committing to a name.
GOV.UK
Choosing a company name (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK guidance on company naming rules and restrictions.
GOV.UK
Sensitive words and expressions (opens in a new tab)
Full list of words requiring prior approval in company names.
GOV.UK

Check your business name is available

Register a trademark

Protect your intellectual property

Secure web domains for your business

Business planning checklist

Tech Sector Licensing and Authorisations

Understanding registered names and trading names

Checking Companies House

Checking trademarks

Checking domains and social media

Search the Companies House register

Search the UK trademark register

Register matching domain names

Reserve social media handles

Consider trademark registration

Name checking resources

Related guides in Business Structure

Register a trademark

Protect your intellectual property

Secure web domains for your business

Business planning checklist

Tech Sector Licensing and Authorisations

Understanding registered names and trading names

Checking Companies House

Checking trademarks

Checking domains and social media

Search the Companies House register

Search the UK trademark register

Register matching domain names

Reserve social media handles

Consider trademark registration

Name checking resources