Check If a Company Name Is Available
The Companies House name checker is free and returns an instant result. Go to find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk, type your proposed name into the search box, and you will know within seconds whether it is taken.
How the Company Name Checker Works
The checker searches the live Companies House register, which includes all currently registered companies and recently dissolved ones. A dissolved company’s name can still be unavailable if it is within a protection period.
Before comparing names, Companies House strips out certain elements: “Limited”, “Ltd”, “PLC”, punctuation marks, and spacing.
This means “Smith & Jones Ltd” and “Smith and Jones Limited” are treated as the same name. If your proposed name only differs from an existing one by these stripped elements, it will not be accepted.
What Your Search Result Means
An “available” result means no identical or near-identical name is currently registered. It does not mean you are clear to use the name. Trade mark conflicts and reputational similarity to a well-known brand are separate risks that the checker does not catch. Do not skip those checks.
A “not available” result means the name is taken or too close to an existing registration. You cannot register it as-is.
Company Name Rules in the UK
Companies House applies three main categories of rule when assessing a proposed name. Understanding them before you search saves time.
Names That Are Too Similar
Your name must not be the same as, or too similar to, an existing registered company. Companies House uses the “same as” test: it removes Ltd, Limited, PLC, punctuation, and spacing, then compares what remains. If the core name is effectively identical, the registration will be refused.
There are exceptions. If two companies are part of the same corporate group, or if the existing company consents in writing, a similar name may be permitted.
Restricted or Sensitive Words
Certain words require permission before you can use them in a company name. Words that suggest a connection to government or royalty (Royal, King, Queen, Government, Authority) need supporting evidence or approval.
Words that suggest a regulated status (Bank, Insurance, University, Charity) require sign-off from the relevant regulator.
If you are unsure whether a word in your proposed name is on the restricted list, check the Companies House guidance at gov.uk before submitting your application.
Names That Could Mislead Customers
A name that gives a false impression of what your company does, or suggests a status it does not have, will be refused. This includes names that imply a larger or more established business than you actually have, or that describe activities your company does not carry out.
Private limited companies must include “Limited” or “Ltd” at the end of the name. If you register in Wales, you can use the Welsh equivalents “Cyfyngedig” or “Cyf” instead.
What to Do If Your Company Name Is Available
An available result on Companies House is the first confirmation you need, but not the last. Work through these three steps before committing to the name.
Register the Company
Register online with Companies House at a cost of £12, payable by credit or debit card. The standard application is straightforward and most companies receive their certificate of incorporation within 24 hours.
If you open a business bank account with Tide, they cover the £12 registration fee as part of their account-opening offer.
Once registered, the name is yours. No one else can register the same or a substantially similar name.
Check the Domain Name
Companies House registration does not secure a domain name. Check that your preferred .co.uk and .com domains are available before you register.
Domain registrars show availability instantly and most names can be secured for under £15 a year.
Check Trade Mark Risk
A name can be available at Companies House and still infringe a registered trade mark. Companies House does not check trade marks. That is your responsibility.
Search the IPO register at trademarks.ipo.gov.uk before you commit to the name. Trade mark protection is class-specific, so a mark in one industry may not block you in another, but the search takes five minutes and a dispute costs significantly more.
If your name or logo is something you want to protect, you can apply to register a trade mark through the IPO for £170 per class online.
What to Do If Your Company Name Is Taken
If the name you want is already registered, you have three routes: adapt the name, start fresh with a different one, or challenge the registration if you believe it was made in bad faith.
Change the Name
Adapting your proposed name is the quickest fix. Adding a location, a descriptor, or adjusting the word order is often enough to pass the Companies House “same as” test. Run any adapted version through the checker before proceeding. Do not assume a small change is sufficient without verifying it.
Choose a Different Name
If the taken name belongs to a company in the same sector, adapting it may not be enough.
Even if a variant clears the Companies House test, using a name that is closely associated with a competitor can attract a legal challenge from them directly. In that case, starting fresh with something unrelated is the cleaner outcome.
Check Whether You Can Still Trade Under the Name
If you believe the name was registered in bad faith (for example, someone registered it specifically to block you or to sell it back at a premium), you can make a complaint to the Company Names Tribunal at the Intellectual Property Office.
The Tribunal has authority to order a name change if bad-faith registration is proven. This route is for genuine disputes, not simply because you preferred the name.
Can You Reserve a Company Name?
There is no formal name reservation service in the UK. Companies House does not allow you to hold a name without registering a company.
If you want to secure a name before you are ready to trade, the practical option is to register the company immediately and leave it in a dormant state.
A dormant company has no trading activity and simplified accounting obligations. The registration cost is the same: £12 online. You can start trading under the company at any point once you are ready.
Can Sole Traders Register a Company Name?
No. Companies House registration is only available to incorporated business structures: limited companies, limited liability partnerships, and similar entities. Sole traders are not required to register with Companies House, and they cannot register or reserve a company name through that process.
As a sole trader, you can trade under any name you choose, but it gives you no exclusivity over that name. Anyone can register a limited company with the same name at any time.
If the name matters to your brand, incorporate as a limited company and register it properly.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Company in the UK?
| Action | Cost | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Check company name availability | Free | Companies House website |
| Register a limited company | £12 | Online (Companies House) |
| Register a limited company | £40 | By post (slower) |
| Register via Tide (with bank account) | Free | Tide covers the £12 fee |
| Change a company name later | £8 | Online (Companies House) |
Company registration is not the only cost to consider. Depending on your business, you may also need to budget for trade mark registration (£170 per class via IPO), a domain name (typically £10 to £15 per year), and any professional advice on naming or incorporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Company Name Checker Free?
Yes. The Companies House name search tool is free to use and provides instant results. Registering the company itself costs £12 online, but checking availability costs nothing.
Does an Available Company Name Mean I Can Use It?
Not necessarily. An available result at Companies House means no identical or near-identical company name is registered. It does not clear you on trade marks. Search the IPO trade mark register separately before committing to a name, particularly if you plan to build a brand around it.
Can Two Companies Have Similar Names?
Companies House applies the “same as” test, not a broader similarity test. Two companies can have names that sound alike or are conceptually similar, as long as they do not pass that same-as threshold after stripping Ltd/Limited and punctuation.
In practice, names that are very close in the same industry can still attract a legal challenge even if Companies House accepted both registrations.
Can I Use a Company Name That Is Already a Trade Mark?
Companies House does not check trade marks and will register a company name that is also a registered trade mark. But using that name commercially could constitute trade mark infringement, which is a civil matter between you and the mark’s owner. Check the IPO register before you proceed.
Can I Change My Company Name Later?
Yes. You can change your registered company name at any time by submitting a special resolution and paying £8 online to Companies House. The change takes effect when Companies House issues a new certificate of incorporation on change of name, usually within 24 hours of online submission.
Methodology: Company registration fees and name rules verified against Companies House guidance and GOV.UK (gov.uk/limited-company-formation/choose-company-name) in May 2026. Trade mark register confirmed at trademarks.ipo.gov.uk in May 2026. Verification date: 20 May 2026.