48,566 reviews
10,785 reviews
“Words have meaning, and names have power.” –Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., American jurist and associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Company names are extremely important, especially when you are an entrepreneur developing a new small business. It’s important to understand as a business owner that a company name is a powerful branding asset that plays a critical role in the growth, identity, and recognition of your brand.
As a result, a company name should be memorable, unique, easy to pronounce, and meet legal business name requirements. Business entity names also need to resonate with your target audience and help you connect with customers.
But what’s the best way to brainstorm and select a name for your new limited liability company (LLC)? Read on to get helpful tips for naming your LLC.
Follow LLC Naming Requirements
When naming an LLC, there are specific requirements you should follow. These guidelines vary by state, but you may see some of the following rules in your state’s LLC naming requirements.
Include “LLC” in the Company Name
Most states require LLC names to end with the words “limited liability company” to indicate that your business structure is, in fact, a real LLC. While “LLC” is the most popular abbreviation, you can also use other similar abbreviations, such as “limited,” “limited liability,” or “Ltd.” for this entity type.
Here are some sample company names with one of these terms included:
- X Limited Liability Company
- Beacon Advisors LLC
- Gray Holdings Ltd.
- The Splendid Cook, LLC
- Boost Energy Limited
Don’t Use Restricted Terms
Because states want to ensure that your business’ legal name does not imply that your business is a corporation, bank, or insurance company, you can’t use specific words that reflect this.
For example, make sure your LLC name does not contain the following terms:
- “Bank”
- “Trust”
- “Trustee”
- “Insurer”
- “Insurance company”
In addition, since your LLC is not a corporation, make sure you do not include “Incorporated,” “Inc.,” or “Corporation” in your business name. Your LLC’s name shouldn’t include words related to government agencies or certain occupations either. For example, using “Bureau,” “Commission,” “Doctor,” “Engineer,” or similar terms is usually prohibited.
To view a comprehensive list of all restricted words, visit your state’s business website.
Avoid Offensive Names or Those Suggesting Illegal Activity
Your LLC name should also be free of offensive language or words associated with illegal activities. Many states discourage business owners from using names with profanities, racial slurs, or similar terms suggestive of illegal activities or groups.
Choose a Non-Trademarked Name
This rule isn’t always included in state business name registration guidelines, but it’ll help your LLC achieve long-term success and run smoothly. With a trademarked business name, you may face legal disputes and be forced to use your resources on rebranding if you lose your case.
To avoid these challenges, check if your desired business name is trademarked at the state and national levels. We’ll discuss how to check LLC name availability later on.
Can I Reserve My LLC’s Name?
Depending on your state, you can reserve your LLC’s name for a number of days. It’s ideal if you’re:
- Waiting for other documents needed to register your company
- Completing your formation details
- Registering your LLC at a later date
- Changing your legal name after forming an LLC
Name reservation rules and periods also vary by state. Therefore, it’s important to consult the specific guidelines and process set by your state’s business filing office before reserving your LLC’s name.
Make It Clear, Simple, & Catchy
Find an LLC name that is not only easy to remember, but easy to spell. Always keep it simple with your name ideas. Try not to pick a name with more than two syllables or any hyphens.
In addition, keep in mind that catchy names are memorable for customers. Consider using rhyming or alliteration to help make your new business name memorable as well.
Consequently, make sure that the name of your LLC is not boring or difficult to remember since these types of names are easily forgotten.
Ready to start your business?
Form your free LLC in minutes with Inc Authority.
Always Match Your Business with a Name
Names that connect with your business consistently remind customers what you do and what you offer. For example, a carpet cleaning company named “SpotOn” is a lot more memorable than “B & V Partners.”
Choose a Meaningful Name
LLC names that convey meaning and significance are helpful for SEO purposes and translate into less money spent on branding.
For example, the toiletry brand Dove produces hair and skin care products that focus on making people look and feel beautiful. And because the word “dove” evokes images of purity and softness, this particular name is meaningful and quite effective.
Keep It General
Don’t pick an LLC name that will limit your business growth down the road. It is extremely important to allow for this in the long term, as you may end up expanding your product offerings or adding multiple locations later.
For example, avoid naming your bakery business “Double Chocolate Cake of Phoenix” in case you decide to expand to other cities or sell products other than double chocolate cakes in the future.
Consider Other Languages
When choosing an LLC name, check the implications of the name in other languages. You never want a name that has negative connotations in another language.
Check for Name Availability
Legally, you are not allowed to select a name that’s already in use by another LLC or is too similar to an existing LLC’s legal business name. As a result, it’s vital to confirm that another company is not using your name by conducting a thorough LLC name search on the web.
How to Check If LLC Names Are Taken
There are several ways to check LLC name availability. Here’s how you can do this important step.
Use a Business Name Database
If you want to start at the state level, visit your Secretary of State’s website to search for your proposed name in a business name registration database. However, be aware that this does not necessarily guarantee that your name is unique because this website only shows what is actually registered with that particular state.
It’s helpful to note that some states have an Office of the Secretary, which is able to search the name before you officially file. Depending on your state, this service might be free, or the state office may charge a fee.
Other databases you can use include:
- The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s trademark database
- The USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)
- ICANN’s WHOIS domain name lookup database
Look at Alternative LLC Names
Many businesses run under fictitious names or DBAs (“doing business names”). If you’re looking up your desired LLC name, consider checking DBAs and legal business names.
Each state has its own set of DBA registration and use-related rules. Check your state’s government website for specific information about DBAs to avoid potential legal issues. For instance, the owner(s) of an unofficially registered DBA may assert their rights to use it if they’ve operated under the name for months or years.
Search Your Chosen Name Online
You can also check whether an LLC name is taken in or outside of your home state through online searches.
To start, try to Google your proposed name to see whether it is currently in use. In addition, consider visiting SuperPages to search for trade names and corporate names online or browse the websites below.
- Yelp: This site is a good starting point for LLC name checks in your state. It shows you the companies currently operating in your location and their legal names.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn makes creating business profiles easy, deeming it helpful for DBA searches.
- Crunchbase: Crunchbase focuses on startups and their funding rounds. Thus, you can discover startups and their potentially unregistered names here.
Claim the Domain Name
Because most customers associate .com names with an established business, it is imperative to quickly claim the corresponding domain name. Alternatives, such as .net or .biz, are not considered favorable.
To see if your business name is available, search your proposed name on registration sites, such as GoDaddy or Network Solutions. Keep in mind that if your domain name is already taken, some owners are open to selling the name for a price. At the same time, it is a good idea to secure your business name on social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.
Choose the Best Name for Your LLC
The bottom line is that a name introduces your LLC to the world. Because it is a customer’s first impression, the perfect name for your LLC should be one that sets a positive tone, identifies your brand, and is unforgettable.
So once you’ve found the perfect business name, register your LLC with Inc Authority. Our business startup advisors are ready to assist you. Or, file your business online in three simple steps. Form your FREE LLC today!
For more tips on running an LLC, click on any of the linked resources below.