What Are the Requirements for Limited Company Names?

The Companies Act 2006, the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/17), and the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/3140) in the United Kingdom clearly outline the rules and regulations for choosing a company name in their incorporation and names guidance.

A Companies House company name check will tell you exactly what name you can use. It is critical to consider the following factors before conducting a Companies House company name check:

  ● Avoid the following:

    ◇ Registering a company name that is similar to any other company name on the register will cause public confusion and misunderstanding. This is not an issue, however, if the existing company agrees to register your name or if your new company is part of the same group as a current company.

    ◇ Using words in your company name that imply your company has ties to the UK Government, public authority, the Royal family, or any other type of official institution.

    ◇ Using words that have connotations of business preeminence or a specific type of status.

    ◇ Any reference to a geographical location in a company name implies a connection to an official organization or administrative authority, such as "The United Kingdom," "London," "Scotland," and so on. As a result, words/company names would need to be approved by the Secretary of State at Companies House.

    ◇ Choosing a company name that contains offensive words or makes a reference to criminal activity.

  ● Important factors to consider:

    ◇ By checking the Trademark register, you can avoid intellectual property infringement and potential legal disputes.

    ◇ If you want to use a word that implies a specific profession or function, you must demonstrate that you are legally qualified to provide that service. You will also need permission from the appropriate body for your profession/qualification in question.

    ◇ Private limited companies must include the words "Limited" or "Ltd" at the end of their name by law. Companies registered in Wales can use the abbreviation "Cyfyngedig" or "CFY." There is no legal distinction between the full "Limited" and the abbreviated "Ltd"; both can be registered and are interchangeable after incorporation.

Some additional exemptions may apply to certain limited by guarantee companies, which you should be aware of before embarking on your new venture. Visit gov.uk for more information on Limited by guarantee companies.

Names of Dissolved Limited Companies

You are not legally barred from using the name of a dissolved limited company. However, it may be worthwhile to simply research the company's previous trading activities to determine whether there are any negative/criminal associations associated with that specific name. This ensures that you are aware of and prepared for any customers who may have had negative experiences with the previous company, allowing you to avoid risking damage to your reputation before you even begin!

You can learn about a company by examining their most recent set of accounts, similar to running a Companies House company name check. Furthermore, a simple Google search will yield newsworthy information about the dissolved company. A credit check on the dissolved company may be worthwhile because it will reveal whether the company has any County Court Judgements (CCJs).

Checking the Name of a Company at Companies House

Now that you know what to look for and what options are available, the next step is straightforward. Simply run a Companies House company name check using the Government's name availability checker.

How can Goldwin Merchant Incorporations assist you?

Goldwin Merchant Incorporations can save you time by performing all necessary checks for you, ensuring that all details, processes, and research are completed from the beginning.

We can assist your company in selecting the best name for it, ensuring compliance with regulations and avoiding the use of words that may be detrimental to your company's credibility. To learn more about the overall process of establishing your company – including selecting the best name for you – contact us today and one of our friendly team members will be happy to assist! Contact us by phone at +20 101 8698340, email at [email protected] , or fill out a contact form, and one of our consultants will get back to you as soon as possible.

Goldwin Merchant Incorporations has made every effort to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and reliable. The information, however, is provided "as is," with no warranty of any kind. Goldwin Merchant Incorporations assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or dependability of the information on this website.