NAME?

Naming your company

You cannot choose a name that is the same as an existing company and you should avoid a name:

• that people may find offensive
• that is 'too like' an existing company name unless it is part of the same group

You will need to obtain special approval for a name that:

• Suggests a connection to a government department, a devolved administration, a local authority or specified public body.
• Includes any sensitive words and expressions that require approval from Companies House. For example, you are not allowed to choose a name which includes words that are potentially misleading, such as 'international' if you are a UK-only business.

See our guide on how to choose the right name for your business.

Choose the right name for your business

Introduction

Choosing a name for your business is a creative and enjoyable process. It is also one that you need to get right. Customers may infer a lot from your business name and first impressions count.
While it may be tempting to try to stamp your individual personality on your business name, there are many other issues to consider. Being objective and choosing a name that reflects your business strategy can be more valuable, especially as your business develops.
This guide shows you how to create the right impression, display your business name, consider whether your business name will be your brand and get your name on the web. It also outlines the specific rules that you must follow when choosing a company name for a limited company, limited liability partnership, sole trader or partnership.

Choose the right name for your business

Choosing a business name to create the right impression

When generating ideas about a business name, you may initially focus on personal preference. However, an objective approach will enable you to consider the customer first.
Your business name will be the cornerstone of your brand. It should work well wherever you use it - on the phone, in your logo, signage, stationery, advertisements, website, email and any other media you plan to use to reach the market. See our guide on branding: the basics.

Points to help you decide on a name for your business

When choosing a name for your business, you need to ask:

• Do you want the name to reflect what your business does - moving, cleaning, building? Or would something more abstract be suitable?
• Would it be a good idea to include your own name?
• Do you want a traditional-sounding name, conveying durability and old-fashioned values, or a modern name, suggesting a fresh, innovative approach?
• Think about the future - avoid words or phrases that are likely to date quickly.
• If you're likely to be trading overseas, check that the name doesn't mean anything inappropriate in the relevant languages.
• Think about callers and customers - avoid very long names, strange wordings and unusual spelling. If you're planning to advertise in directories such as the Yellow Pages, think about using a name that appears near the beginning of the listings for your type of business.
• If you're focusing on the local market for your product or service, think about using the name of the city or town in the business name.
• Keep your trading name creative, but your corporate name bland. This will give you the flexibility to develop other brands and trading names in the future.

Note that there are rules that could affect your choice of business name. For more information on business names, see our guide on rules for naming your limited company or limited liability partnership (LLP).

Rules for naming your limited company or limited liability partnership (LLP)

Choosing a name for a company or LLP

There are several rules to consider when choosing a name for your company or LLP.
You will need to check that it is not the 'same as' that of an existing company or LLP. A 'same as' name may not be identical to an existing company name, but if it is very similar it could cause confusion. For example, if a company called 'Smith Transport Services Limited' already exists, you could not register 'Smith Transport Services UK Limited', unless the two companies are part of the same group and other conditions are satisfied.
To check whether a company or LLP name is already registered, use our interactive tool to search for an available company name and trade mark.

Required words

Limited companies and LLPs are required to include certain words in their names:

• private limited company names must end with 'Limited or 'Ltd'
• private unlimited company names may end with 'unlimited' but are not required to do so
• public limited company names must end with 'public limited company' or 'plc', in capital or lower-case with or without full stops
• LLP names must end with 'limited liability partnership' or 'LLP'

The names of limited companies registered in Wales may end with the Welsh equivalent of 'Limited', 'public limited company' or their abbreviations.

When will Companies House refuse to register a company name?

Companies House will not register a name if:

• its use would constitute an offence or is offensive
• it implies a connection with central or local government, or with some public authorities
• it includes a 'sensitive' word or expression - see the page in this guide on prescribed and sensitive words
• it includes characters, signs, symbols and punctuation which are not permitted
• it is identical to, or the same as, another name appearing on the index of company names
• it uses any of the name endings 'limited', 'ltd', 'unlimited', 'public limited company' or 'plc' in a way that misleads or causes confusion

A few names I have come up with:

Our chosen name:

CAVASSO- based on all our intitals, it sounds sophisticated and artistic... not cheap either.

Check with companies house that this name has not already been registered!

 £89 to register Ltd name!