Quick answer: To register a business name in the UK, check it’s available on Companies House, make sure it meets naming rules, then register online for £100. Most businesses are approved within 24 hours.
To protect your name after registration, consider trademarking it for £205 and securing your domain and social media handles.
Starting a business is exciting. But before you print the business cards or launch the website, you need to make one of your first big decisions: your business name.
Around 800,000 businesses are incorporated in the UK every year. For each of them, registering a name is a critical step – one that’s easy to get wrong if you don’t know the rules. Get it right, though, and you’ll have a legally recognised identity, a foundation for your brand, and protection against others using your name.
Do you actually need to register a business name?
Not every business needs to register their name with Companies House. It depends on your structure.
If you’re a sole trader, you don’t need to register a business name. You can trade under your own name, or choose a trading name without any formal registration. You’ll still need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC, though, so you can pay your annual tax bill.
If you’re setting up as a limited company, registering your business name is a legal requirement. This process is called incorporation – the formal registration of your business as a legal entity.
You’ll also need a registered business name to open a business bank account in your company’s name.
Not sure which structure is right for you? Our guide on sole trader vs limited company breaks it down clearly.
How to come up with a business name
A good business name is memorable, relevant to what you do, and easy to spell. Beyond that, there are a few practical rules to keep in mind.
If you’re registering as a limited company, your registered name must include “Limited” or “Ltd” at the end. But your trading name – the one you use day-to-day on your website and marketing – shouldn’t include this.
Your registered name and trading name can be different, which gives you some flexibility. Just make sure both are clear, professional, and consistent with your brand.
Small business name ideas
Need inspiration? Simply Business surveyed 1,000 people to find out what makes a great business name – and it turns out the British public love a bit of wordplay.
Our 2025 Britain’s Best Small Business Name competition crowned Dae It Yersel as the winner, with brilliant finalists including Back to the Fuchsia (a London gardener), Balti Towers (a Kashmiri restaurant in Birmingham), Damsel in This Dress (a seamstress in Harlech), and Lawn and Order (gardeners in Watford).
How to register a business name
Step 1: Check your name is available
Before you fall in love with a name, make sure it’s not already taken. Companies House has a free company name availability checker on its website. If another business already uses your name – or something very similar – you may be asked to change it later, which is a costly and frustrating problem to fix.
Beyond the Companies House database, do a few extra checks:
- Google it – a simple search can reveal businesses trading under the same name, even if they’re not incorporated
- search the UK trademark register – if a business has already trademarked your chosen name, you’ll find it in the government’s online database. Our trademark search guide has more detail on how to do this
Step 2: Make sure your name follows the rules
Companies House rejects names that don’t meet its guidelines. Government data revealed that 1,390 business names have been rejected since 2022 – so make sure you’re not one of them.
A few things to watch out for:
- offensive names are refused – 188 business names were refused for profanity in 2023
- sensitive words need approval – terms like “chartered”, “foundation”, and “society” require special permission
- some words are legally protected – using terms like “architect”, “building society”, or “physician” without authorisation could be a criminal offence
Check the full list of restricted and protected words on the Companies House website before you commit to a name.
Step 3: Register with Companies House
Once you’re happy with your name, you can register your limited company online through Companies House. The registration fee is £100 for a digital submission, and you’ll also register for corporation tax at the same time.
During registration, you’ll need to:
- choose a registered office address (this is the official address for legal correspondence)
- select a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code, which tells Companies House what industry you operate in
The whole process is straightforward, and most applications are approved in less than 24 hours.
Step 4: Get your certificate of incorporation
Once your company is registered, Companies House issues a certificate of incorporation. This document is publicly available and confirms your business legally exists. It’s the final step in the registration process – and a pretty satisfying one at that.
What are your responsibilities once you’ve registered?
Registering a business name comes with ongoing obligations, not just a one-time admin task.
You must display your company name on a sign at your registered business address, unless you work from home. The sign needs to be clearly visible at all times, including outside business hours.
You’re also required to include your company name on all business documents and marketing materials – everything from invoices and contracts to your website and email signatures.
The government website has a full list of what’s required.
How to protect your business name
Here’s something many new business owners don’t realise: registering your name with Companies House doesn’t stop another business from using it.
Companies House registration only prevents another company from incorporating under the exact same name. It doesn’t prevent someone from trading under a similar name, or stop them from trademarking it and then asking you to stop using it.
To properly protect your name, consider these steps:
- Register a trademark. Trademarking your business name gives you the legal right to stop others from using it. The cost starts at £205 through the UK Intellectual Property Office. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it if your name is central to your brand.
- Buy your domain name. Snap up your .co.uk and .com domains as soon as you can, even if you’re not ready to build a website yet. Domain names are cheap – losing yours to a competitor isn’t.
- Set up social media profiles. Create accounts with your business name across the main platforms. This stops others from claiming your name and makes it easier for customers to find you.
- Create a Google Business Profile. If customers visit you in person – whether you run a shop, studio, or any kind of physical space – a Google Business Profile helps you show up on Google Maps and in local search results.
Getting legal advice
Business law can get complicated. If you’re ever unsure about naming rules, trademark conflicts, or legal obligations, it’s worth speaking to a professional.
If you have legal expenses insurance as part of your Simply Business policy, you can access legal support through Arag Businesslaw, including a legal advice helpline for both urgent issues and general queries.
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Registering a business name FAQs
How do I register a business name in the UK?
Register your business name online through Companies House for a £100 fee. Before applying, check that your name is available using the Companies House name checker, and make sure it doesn’t include offensive, sensitive, or legally protected words. Most applications are approved within 24 hours.
Do I need to register a business name as a sole trader?
No, sole traders don’t need to register a business name. You can trade under your own name or choose a trading name without formal registration. However, you must register for Self Assessment with HMRC to pay your tax bill.
What’s the difference between a registered name and a trading name?
Your registered name is the legal name recorded at Companies House – it must include “Limited” or “Ltd” if you’re a limited company. Your trading name is what you use in day-to-day business. The two can be different, and your trading name shouldn’t include “Limited” or “Ltd”.
How much does it cost to register a business name?
It costs £100 to register a limited company online with Companies House. If you also want to trademark your business name for added protection, that starts at £205 through the UK Intellectual Property Office.
Does registering with Companies House protect my business name?
Only partially. Companies House registration stops another company from incorporating under the exact same name. To stop others from trading under a similar name, you need to register a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office.
How long does it take to register a business name?
Most online applications through Companies House are processed in less than 24 hours.
Can my business name be rejected by Companies House?
Yes, your business name can be rejected by Companies House. Common reasons include offensive language and the use of sensitive or legally protected terms without approval.
What do I need to do after registering my business name?
After registration, display your company name at your registered address and on all business documents and marketing. You should also secure your domain name, set up social media profiles, and set your business up on Google.
More guides for small business owners
- How to create a brand identity for your business
- How to find a gap in the market
- An expert guide to marketing for small businesses
- Is public liability insurance tax-deductible?
Looking for self-employed insurance?
With Simply Business you can build a single self employed insurance policy combining the covers that are relevant to you. Whether it’s public liability insurance, professional indemnity or whatever else you need, we’ll run you a quick quote online, and let you decide if we’re a good fit.