How to check a business name is free
- The company register. In the UK that's Companies House, which won't accept a name that's the "same as" one already registered, and can refuse one that's "too like" another. In the US, each state keeps its own register, so check the state where you'll form your LLC or corporation.
- Trade marks. A company name and a trade mark are different things. Someone can own the trade mark for a name that's free on the company register, and they can stop you trading under it. Check the UK IPO, the USPTO or the register for your country.
- The domain. A matching .com, or .co.uk in the UK, makes you easier to find. If both are taken, a short extra word such as "bakery" or "studio" often frees one up.
- Social handles. Grab the same handle everywhere you'll post, even before you're ready to use it.
Need a name first?
We have 100 business name generators, one for each kind of business, and every name has a Check button that opens it here.
Professional Services
- Accounting Business Name
- Consulting Business Name
- Event Planning Business Name
- Financial Advisor Name
- Graphic Design Business Name
- Insurance Agency Name
- Laundromat Name
- Law Firm Name
- Marketing Agency Name
- Photography Business Name
- Property Management Name
- Real Estate Name
- Security Company Name
- Tech Company Name
- Travel Agency Name
- Trucking Company Name
- Vending Machine Business Name
- Video Production Name
- Web Design Name
- Wedding Planner Name
Shops & Makers
- Art Business Name
- Boutique Name
- Candle Business Name
- Clothing Brand Name
- Crochet Business Name
- Etsy Shop Name
- Flower Shop Name
- Gift Shop Name
- Jewelry Business Name
- Kids Clothing Brand Name
- Makeup Brand Name
- Perfume Brand Name
- Plant Shop Name
- Pottery Business Name
- Sewing Business Name
- Soap Business Name
- Sticker Business Name
- Streetwear Brand Name
- T-Shirt Business Name
- Vintage Shop Name
Trades & Home Services
- Auto Repair Shop Name
- Car Detailing Business Name
- Cleaning Business Name
- Construction Company Name
- Electrical Business Name
- Handyman Business Name
- HVAC Business Name
- Interior Design Business Name
- Landscaping Business Name
- Lawn Care Business Name
- Moving Company Name
- Painting Business Name
- Pest Control Business Name
- Plumbing Business Name
- Pressure Washing Business Name
- Roofing Company Name
Food & Drink Businesses
Beauty Businesses
Organisation Names
Place Names
Questions
Is this business name checker free?
Yes. It runs in your browser, there's no sign-up, and we don't keep the names you check.
How do I check if a business name is taken in the UK?
Search it on the Companies House register, which this page does for you, then check the domain, the social handles and the UK IPO trade mark register. Companies House ignores capitals, punctuation, "The" at the start and endings such as Ltd, so "The Crumb Co. Ltd" counts as the same name as "Crumb Co".
How do I check if a business name is taken in the US?
Each state keeps its own register, so search the Secretary of State's business search in the state where you'll form your LLC or corporation. Then search the USPTO trade mark database: a federal trade mark protects a name across the whole country, whatever the state registers say.
If the company name is free, can I use it?
Not always. A name can be free on the company register but trade-marked by someone else, or too like an existing company's name. Check the trade mark registers too, and if you're spending real money on the brand, ask a solicitor or attorney.
What does "Looks free" mean for a domain?
The domain's registry has no record of it, so it's very likely available to buy. Premium and reserved names can still show as free here, so the registrar's own search has the final word.
Why can't you check Instagram and TikTok handles automatically?
The social networks don't let other websites look up handles. The links open each profile address: if the page says it doesn't exist, the handle is probably free.