Company name checker: is the name available at Companies House?
Check if your proposed company name is available at Companies House. See similar registered names and potential conflicts.
How the Company Name Availability Checker Works
When you register a new company, Companies House checks your proposed name against all existing registered companies using a set of "same as" rules. A name will be rejected if:
- An identical name is already on the register (including dissolved companies within 20 years)
- The name is "the same as" an existing name after stripping standard endings (Limited, Ltd, PLC, LLP), punctuation, and common words
- The name contains sensitive or restricted words that require approval from a relevant body
This tool searches the live Companies House register and applies the same transformation rules, giving you an accurate indication of whether your name is likely to be accepted before you pay to register.
What the "Same As" Rules Mean for Your Company Name
Companies House ignores punctuation, spaces, and standard company endings when comparing names. This means "A.B.C. Solutions Ltd" and "ABC Solutions Limited" are treated as identical. Common words like "and", "the", and "of" are also stripped in some contexts. Your name's distinctive element - the part that sets it apart - is what must be genuinely unique. Check both the exact form of your name and common variations.
Tips for Choosing a Strong UK Company Name
- Be distinctive - avoid generic descriptions like "UK Trading Ltd" that are likely to clash with existing names
- Check trademarks separately - a Companies House registration does not give trademark rights; search the UK IPO trademark register before committing
- Check the domain - verify a matching .co.uk or .com is available before you incorporate
- Test all variations - check your name with and without "The", with different punctuation, and with Ltd vs Limited
- Avoid sensitive words - words like "British", "Royal", "Authority", or "Chartered" require approval and can delay registration
Sensitive and Restricted Words
Some words require written approval from a relevant body before Companies House will register them. If your name includes one of these, you will need to provide supporting evidence or consent:
- Financial services: Bank, Building Society, Insurance, Assurance, Reinsurance
- Professional designations: Chartered, Registered Architect, Dental, Medical, Nursing
- Government and royal: Royal, Queen, King, Prince, Crown, Parliament, Authority, British
- Geographical terms: English, Scottish, Welsh, European, International, National
Company Name vs Trading Name vs Business Name
Your registered company name is the legal name on the Companies House register and must appear on all official documents. Your trading name (or business name) is what you use day-to-day and can differ from your registered name - for example, "Acme Digital Ltd" might trade simply as "Acme". Trading names are not registered at Companies House, but they must not infringe trademarks or mislead customers.
Related Company Formation Tools
- Business Name Generator - Generate distinctive UK company name ideas
- SIC Code Lookup - Find the right classification code for your new company
- Free Company Search - Browse existing companies on the register
- VAT Number Checker - Verify supplier VAT registrations
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a company name is available?
Enter your proposed name into this tool and it searches the live Companies House register for identical and similar existing names. It applies the same 'same as' rules Companies House uses, so you get a realistic indication of whether your name is likely to be accepted before you pay to register.
What makes a company name unavailable?
A name is rejected if it is the same as or too similar to an existing registered name. Companies House ignores punctuation, spaces, and standard endings such as Limited, Ltd, PLC, and LLP, so 'A.B.C. Solutions Ltd' and 'ABC Solutions Limited' are treated as the same. Names containing sensitive or restricted words may also need supporting evidence.
What are sensitive or restricted words in a company name?
Some words require approval from a relevant body before Companies House will accept them. Common examples include words implying a government connection (British, National, Authority, Crown), regulated activities (Bank, Insurance, Chartered, Solicitors), royal associations (Royal, Prince, Princess), and professional designations. A full list is available in the Companies House guidance on company names.
Does registering a company name protect my brand?
Not on its own. A Companies House registration only prevents another company from registering the identical name - it does not give trademark rights. If someone already holds a registered trademark for that name or a similar one, they can challenge your use of it even after you have incorporated. Searching the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) trademark register is an essential step alongside this check.
What is the 'same as' test that Companies House applies?
The 'same as' test strips out punctuation, common words (and, the, of), company type suffixes (Ltd, PLC, LLP), and certain characters to produce a simplified comparison string. Two names are 'same as' if their simplified strings match. This means 'The ABC Group Limited' and 'ABC Group Ltd' are treated as the same name.
Can I use my own personal name as a company name?
Yes, subject to the usual checks. Using your own name - for example 'Jane Smith Limited' - is allowed unless it is the same as an existing company or contains restricted words. Many sole practitioners and consultants incorporate using their personal name, particularly in professional services.
Does a company name include Ltd or Limited at the end?
Most private limited companies must end their name with 'Limited' or 'Ltd' (or their Welsh equivalents 'Cyfyngedig' or 'Cyf'). Public limited companies use PLC, and limited liability partnerships use LLP. These endings are mandatory in most cases - the distinctive part of the name is what must be unique.
Can I reserve a company name before I am ready to register?
Companies House does not offer a formal name reservation service. However, you can incorporate a company quickly online for a small fee and keep it dormant until you are ready to trade. Some company formation agents also offer a name protection service using this method.
What happens if someone registers the name I wanted?
If your proposed name is taken before you register, you will need to choose an alternative. If you believe an existing company name infringes your trademark rights, you can make a complaint to Companies House or take legal action. There is also a process to challenge a name registered in bad faith within 5 years of incorporation.
Can I change my company name after registration?
Yes. A company can change its name at any time by passing a special resolution of the shareholders and filing the change with Companies House. There is a small fee. The company keeps the same registration number and incorporation date - only the name changes.
Is this name checker the same as the Companies House search?
This tool searches the same underlying register but applies the same 'same as' transformation rules that Companies House uses when assessing new applications - so it gives you a more accurate picture of likely acceptance than a plain text search would.
Can two companies have the same name if they are in different industries?
No. Company names on the UK register must be unique across all industries and sectors. There is no provision for two limited companies to share a name, even if they operate in completely different markets.