How Companies House Checks a Company Name
Every application to register a company goes through a name examination before it is approved. Companies House compares the proposed name with the index of existing names and applies the naming rules set out in the Companies Act 2006 and the supporting regulations. Hundreds of proposed names are rejected every year because they could offend or would constitute an offence, so it pays to check a company name carefully before you apply.
The table below summarises what a proposed name must satisfy.
| Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Unique name | The name must not be the “same as” an existing name on the Companies House index. |
| Correct ending | “Limited” or “Ltd” for a private limited company; “Cyfyngedig” or “Cyf” if the registered office is in Wales. |
| No unapproved sensitive words | Words such as “Royal”, “Bank” or “Charity” need prior approval from the relevant body. |
| No implied official connection | The name must not suggest a link with the UK government, a devolved administration, a local authority, a foreign government or an international organisation. |
| Lawful and inoffensive | The name must not be offensive, constitute an offence or be intended to facilitate fraud. |
| No computer code | The name must not consist of or include computer code. |
These rules are set out in the Companies Act 2006, as expanded by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and in the related name regulations. The full requirements for a company name also cover permitted characters, name endings and disclosure rules.
“Same As” and “Too Like” Names
Two names are treated as the “same as” each other when they are so similar that the public would confuse the two companies. When comparing names, Companies House disregards punctuation, blank spaces, “the” and “www” at the start of a name, an “s” at the end, and common additions such as “UK”, “GB”, “.com” or “& Company”. Accented letters count as their plain equivalents, so “Řeal Coffee Café Ltd” is the same name as “Real Coffee Cafe Ltd”.
There is one exception. A “same as” name can be registered if the new company will form part of the same group as the existing one, and the application includes a letter from the existing company confirming its consent and the group relationship.
A name that passes the “same as” test can still be challenged as “too like” an existing one – for example, where it differs by only a few characters or looks and sounds the same. Companies House can direct a company to change a “too like” name within 12 months of registration, and the company is given at least 28 days to comply.
Sensitive Words and Expressions
Certain words and expressions need prior approval before they can appear in a company or business name. They include words suggesting special status or pre-eminence, such as “British”, “Institute” or “Tribunal”, words implying a connection with government or public authorities, such as “Royal” or “Police”, and words protected under other legislation, such as “Bank” or “Charity”.
To use one, you must first obtain the written view of the specified body – for example, the Charity Commission for “charity” – and include the letter or email of non-objection with the incorporation application. Using a sensitive word in a business name without approval is a criminal offence. The complete lists of restricted words, together with the approval criteria and contact bodies, are published in the Companies House naming guidance.
The “Limited” Ending and Who Can Omit It
The name of a private limited company must end with “Limited” or “Ltd”. The two forms are legally identical, and choosing between “Limited” or “Ltd” is purely a matter of presentation. A company whose registered office is in Wales may use “Cyfyngedig” or “Cyf” instead. Expressions describing a company form, such as “LLP” or “PLC”, may only appear at the end of a name.
The only exemption applies to a private company limited by guarantee whose articles of association:
- state that the objects of the company are the promotion or regulation of commerce, art, science, education, religion, charity or a profession;
- require its income to be applied in promoting those objects;
- prohibit the payment of dividends to members; and
- require the assets on winding up to pass to a body with similar or charitable objects.
The exemption can be claimed in the incorporation application or later, with form NE01, when the company changes its name.
Company Name vs Trading Name vs Trade Mark
A company has one registered name but may use one or more trading names. A trading name does not appear on the Companies House register and is not protected by it, so registering a company does not stop others trading under a similar name. A business using a trading name must still show its registered name on invoices, websites and other business documents – for example, “Acme Operations Ltd, trading as ABC Servicing”.
Exclusive rights over a brand come only from a registered trade mark. To register a trade mark, you apply to the UK Intellectual Property Office; protection lasts ten years and can be renewed indefinitely. Equally, a name that clears the company name check may still infringe someone else’s trade mark, so the two searches complement each other.
Securing Your Name: From Check to Incorporation
A company name cannot be reserved in the UK – there is no reservation procedure, form or fee. The only way to register a company name and stop others taking it is to incorporate a company under that name. From that moment, the “same as” rules protect it against near-identical registrations.
If you are not ready to trade, you can incorporate the company and keep it dormant. A dormant company holds its name for as long as it remains on the register, provided it meets the annual filing requirements – a confirmation statement and dormant accounts.
Once your company name check comes back clear, it makes sense to act quickly: names are registered on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability today does not guarantee availability tomorrow. Our team reviews every application before submission, including the name itself, and offers same-day company formation where speed matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Check If My Company Name Is Available?
Enter the proposed name into the company name checker at the top of this page and press “Check”. The tool searches the Companies House index in real time and also flags sensitive words that would need approval. The check is free, immediate and requires no account. Because availability is only confirmed at the moment of incorporation, it is worth re-checking the name just before you submit your application.
Can I Reserve a Company Name Without Forming a Company?
No – the UK has no name reservation system. The only way to secure a name is to incorporate a limited company under it. Many founders register the company and keep it dormant until they are ready to trade, which preserves the name for as long as the company stays on the register. Until you incorporate, anyone can register the name ahead of you.
Does the Name Checker Also Check Trading Names and Trade Marks?
No. The checker searches registered company names at Companies House only. Trading names are not recorded on any register, and trade marks are held on a separate register at the Intellectual Property Office. A name can therefore be available for incorporation yet still infringe an existing trade mark, so search the UK trade mark register before committing to a brand.
Why Might a Name Be Rejected If No Identical Company Exists?
Because Companies House tests whether a name is the “same as” an existing one, not whether it is identical. Punctuation, blank spaces and additions such as “UK”, “.com” or “& Company” are disregarded, and symbols are read as words. “Plum Technology Ltd” is therefore treated as the same name as “Plum Technology & Company Ltd” and would be rejected unless both companies belong to the same group.
What Words Cannot Be Used in a Company Name?
Names that are offensive, would constitute an offence, are intended to facilitate fraud or contain computer code are refused outright. In addition, sensitive words and expressions listed in regulations – for example “Accredited”, “Royal”, “Bank” or “Charity” – may only be used with the prior approval of the relevant body, and any wording implying a connection with a government, public authority or international organisation also requires permission.
What Happens If My Company Name Is Too Similar to an Existing One?
The owner of the existing name can object to Companies House. If the objection succeeds, your company can be directed to change its name – a “too like” direction can only be issued within 12 months of registration, and at least 28 days are allowed for the change. Where a name exploits another business’s goodwill, the Company Names Tribunal can order a change at any time; ignoring the order lets the adjudicator rename the company to its company number.
Can I Change My Company Name After Incorporation?
Yes, at any time. The shareholders pass a special resolution, the company files form NM01, and Companies House issues a certificate of incorporation on change of name. The company number, incorporation date and filing history remain unchanged. Our company name change service prepares the resolution and handles the filing for you.
Can Non-UK Residents Register a UK Company Name?
Yes. There is no residency or nationality requirement for the directors or shareholders of a UK company, although the company must have a registered office in the UK and every director must verify their identity with Companies House. Our company formation for non-residents combines incorporation with the supporting services overseas founders typically need, such as a London registered office and identity verification.