Visitor Register Now

Login
Logout
My profile

Your partnership:
Choosing a name

When you set up a business you will obviously want to create the right impression, and having the right business name can help you to do this. There are, however, various rules you should follow, which we outline below.

People operating as sole practitioners or in partnerships can trade under their own name or choose a different business name.

All businesses should check that the proposed business name will not be confused with that of an existing business, to avoid any allegation that they are 'passing off' as the other business. MacDonalds, for example, have brought this type of action. If you intend to trade goods or services, your name should also not conflict with a registered trademark.

The name should not be offensive. If the name includes sensitive words and expressions, you must have official permission to use them. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry needs to approve words which:

imply a national or international pre-eminence (eg British, National, European, International)
imply a special status (eg Association, Authority, Institute, Society)
imply specific functions (eg Group, Holding, Registered, Trust)

Some words need permission from both the Secretary of State, and a relevant body. For example, use of 'Charity' needs to be approved by the Charity Commission, and the use of 'Royal', 'King' or 'Prince' by the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Some words are specifically restricted by legislation, such as Architect, Chemist or Pharmacy.

For companies, a company name must be accepted by the Registrar of Companies before it can be used, and the Registrar will refuse to register a name that is the same as, or very similar to, another name on the Register.

If, and only if, you are a company or limited liability partnership your name must end with limited or Ltd, public limited company or plc, limited liability partnership or LLP, or unlimited, as appropriate.