Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Joy Kyalo
A business name is the most important step in starting any business, whether self-employed or a registered company. A name gives your business an identity and helps your customers understand what your company is about.
Self-employed individuals can start a UK business under their legal names, directly or in conjunction. Sole traders do not need legal registration with Companies House. In contrast, limited companies need official registration, and there are restrictions when choosing a business name.
This article will guide you in choosing a business name, whether you are a sole trader or a limited company.
Key Takeaways
- Coming up with a unique business name can be challenging for new entrepreneurs.
- Before finalising, use a Company Name Availability Checker to ensure your chosen name isn’t already taken.
- This tool helps you instantly verify if your preferred company name is available in the UK.
- Checking availability early saves time and prevents legal or registration issues later.
Choosing a company name as a sole trader
A sole trader can choose to trade under their name or a trading name. Some restrictions should be understood, no matter the name you want to trade with.
Sole traders may not;
- Include the abbreviation of a company structure at the end of the company name, such as ‘Ltd’, ‘Limited’, or ‘LLP’
- Be offensive
- Be too similar to existing companies’ names.
You may wonder how ‘should not be similar to existing names’ applies to sole traders, since they do not register with Companies House. If a company finds out that a self-employed individual is using their company name to operate their business, they may file a complaint forcing them to change the name.
Additionally, sole traders must use their trading name on official documents such as invoices, receipts, letters, and business licenses (if applicable).
Understanding the name restrictions of limited companies
Uniqueness and similarities
The company name should be unique, meaning it should not be similar to or the same as the existing companies’ names registered with Companies House.
‘Same as’ names also include names where the only difference is punctuation, special characters, a word or character similar in appearance or meaning to another from the existing name, or a word or character used commonly in UK company names.
How is the name similar to or the same as existing names? Good question. Let us explore some examples to help you when choosing your company name.
Fast Courier Services Ltd” vs. “Fast Courier Ltd”
These names are too similar to each other, the only difference is the term ‘service’.
A1 Plumbing UK Ltd” vs. “A1 Plumbing Services Limited”
The only difference between these names is the terms UK, Ltd, and services. These terms do not make the names unique from one another.
Some company names may seem similar but are acceptable. They include;
- Alpha Tech Ltd – Alphatek Systems Ltd
- Apex IT Services Ltd – Apexion Technologies Ltd
If your proposed name is similar to an existing company name and you insist on using it, you must get approval.
Should include company structure abbreviation at the end of the name
If you have a private limited company, the name must include ‘Ltd’ or ‘Limited’ at the end. ‘PLC’ or ‘Public Limited’ for public limited companies..
For partnership companies, the names should end with ‘LLP’ or ‘Limited Liability Partnership’. ‘Cyfyngedig’ or ‘Cyf’ for Welsh companies. These names help customers identify the company structure.
When submitting your proposed name without these terms, Companies House will automatically add them. When registering with Companies House, you must add the specific format you want to appear in your company name.
Should not include sensitive words and expressions
The company name should not include sensitive words or expressions. ‘Sensitive’ expressions imply a connection with the government, royalty, and institutions. You will require permission from the authorised department to use names with these expressions. They include;
- Connection with royalty: His/ Her Majesty, King, Queen, Duchess, Duke, Prince, Princess, Windsor.
- Government: Government, Commission, Board, Parliament
- National: Scottish, British, English, Welsh
- Chartered: Authority, Institute, Chartered, Society
- Charitable: Trust, Foundation, Benevolent, Charity
- Legal: Solicitor, Legal, Court
- Regulated activities: Architect, Dentist
- Insurance: Assurance, Bank, Fund, Insurance, Financial
- Healthcare: Hospital, Health Centre
- Military: Air Force, Police, Navy, Army
- Geneva Cross
The proposed company name should not imply a connection with the above departments. Without permission, Companies House will automatically reject the name. You must obtain permission from bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority, the Cabinet Office, depending on your jurisdiction, the Scottish Government, or the Welsh Assembly Government.
Other considerations to look for include:
- Distinctiveness – it should identify with your business activities.
- Not limiting – it should not limit your business to the products and services you are offering now, giving you the flexibility of diversifying your business.
- Geographical reference – do not limit your business to a certain geographical area, allowing you to expand
- Memorable – it should be easy to remember, read, pronounce, and spell. This will easily connect you to your target market.
How to check name availability?
It is not easy to come up with a unique business name; however, you can use a company name availability checker tool to verify if your desired name is available. Many service providers offer the tool, but you can easily use the Companies House name availability checker.
Online platforms are also another place to check if the proposed business name is available. The online method includes;
Google search:
Google search offers a quick visibility check if the name is available. This method will not be 100% accurate since it will only relay online businesses’ information. It will be hard to find information about native companies without an online presence.
With a Google search, you can find company names through their Google My Business, websites, social media handles, blogs, brand reviews, or products and services.
Pro Tip: Verify Your Name Across Multiple Platforms
Don’t just rely on the Companies House checker – also search for your business name on Google, social media, and the UKIPO trademark database. Ensuring availability across all platforms helps you avoid legal issues and build a strong, consistent brand presence.
UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO):
UKIPO can help you check if your proposed business name and trademark exist. If the name or the trademark is already registered, you cannot use it since you may be sued for infringement.
Web checker:
This is a country-wide name checker tool that contains databases of registered companies. By searching with your proposed name, you can easily check its availability against millions of registered companies in the UK.
Social media:
With digital innovation, social media is another place to check the availability of your proposed business name. Many businesses use social media as their marketing strategy, so you can easily find out if your company name already exists.
Some businesses may not be on social media, but you may find influencers, content creators, or individuals who talk about their experience with the company.
How do I protect my company name?
The first thing is to register with Companies House. They have an online platform where you can do it quickly and protect it from other businesses. UK Company formation agents also register the company name with Companies House on your behalf.
Additionally, you can buy a domain name and create a website for your name to be visible on online platforms. This will guide those checking for the availability of a name just like yours, not to use it for their business.
Register your company trademark with UKIPO. This will help you protect your trademark from infringers and prohibit other business owners from using it.
Conclusion
To summarise, customers can easily identify the business activities and products from the company name. In the UK, company names have restrictions that business owners must understand so that their proposed name is not rejected.
To check if a business name is available, you can use the Companies House availability name checker and other online tools.
When registering a UK company with BusinAssist, we offer a search tool where you can check the availability of your proposed company name. We offer trademark registration services in the UK. We help you protect your trademark with the UKIPO and get a trademark certificate to show that the trademark belongs to your business.
For more information, contact us at info@businassist.com.
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- 50 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2026: Low Investment and High Potential
- How to Trademark a Business Name in the UK: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know
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Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.