Picking a name is a big milestone! While you’re free to be as creative as you like, Companies House has a few rules to make sure names are unique, fair, and not misleading.
The "Same as" rule
Your company name must be unique. You can’t register a name that is exactly the same as one already on the register.
Heads up: Companies House ignores "minor" differences like:
Punctuation (e.g. "Hands-On Ltd" vs "Hands On Ltd")
Special characters like "+" or "&"
Words like "UK" at the end
Pro-tip: Use our free search tool in the Countingup app to check your name instantly. If it’s taken, we’ll let you know so you can try a different version!
Sensitive words and expressions
Some words are protected because they suggest your business has a special status or is linked to the government. To use these, you usually need official permission (which can take a long time).
Common sensitive words to avoid:
National status: British, English, Scottish, International.
Official bodies: Authority, Council, Government, Police, Parliament.
Regulated professions: Bank, Insurance, Pharmacy, Architect, Solicitor.
Royal connection: Royal, King, Queen, Prince.
Offensive names
This one is simple: if a name could be considered offensive, discriminatory, or harmful, Companies House will reject it. They review every name to ensure it meets community standards.
Ending your name - 'LTD' vs 'Limited'
As a private limited company, your official name must end in a specific suffix to show your business has "limited liability."
You have two choices:
LTD
Limited
It’s your choice! Both mean the exact same thing legally. You just need to pick the one you think looks best on your shop front.
⚠️ Important: You must select your preferred ending using the drop-down menu next to the search tool on our Company Formations page.
Please choose carefully, we cannot change this once your application has been submitted. If you want to change it later, you would need to go through a formal name-change process with Companies House, which can involve extra fees.