In this article
The name is the first thing you give the state when you register an LLC, and the filing can be refused if it is not allowed or already taken. A few checks before you file save time. This guide explains what an LLC name must include, how to check that it is free, and what to look at beyond the state's list. To register once you have a name, see our LLC formation service.
What an LLC name must have
- An LLC ending. The name must include "Limited Liability Company", "L.L.C." or "LLC".
- A name that is different. It must be distinguishable from the names already registered in that state. Changing only a comma or "the" usually does not count.
- No misleading words. The name cannot suggest the company is a bank, insurer or government body unless it is one.
- Approval for restricted words. Words such as "Bank", "Insurance", "University" or "Attorney" often need extra approval or a licence.
Step by step: check that a name is free
- Search the state's business name database. Every state's Secretary of State (or its equivalent) has a public search. Try the name with and without the ending, and look for similar spellings.
- Check the trademark register. A name that is free with the state can still belong to someone as a trademark. Search the US Patent and Trademark Office's trademark search for the same or a close name in your field.
- Check the domain and the social handles. A name you cannot use online is hard to build a brand on.
- Prepare two or three backups. If your first choice is taken, you do not lose time.
Reserving the name
Many states let you reserve a name for a fixed period for a fee, so no one else files it while you prepare. If you are ready to file within days, you do not need a reservation.
The legal name and the name you trade under
The name on the formation filing is the legal name. A business can also trade under another name, filed as a DBA ("doing business as"). If you want a short brand that differs from the legal name, ask about a DBA rather than renaming the LLC.
Tips for a good name
- Keep it short, easy to spell and easy to say on a call.
- Avoid a name that is only a place or a general word, which are hard to protect.
- Do not copy a well-known brand, even with a small change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the LLC name have to match my domain?
No, but it is simpler if it does. Check the domain before you file.
Does registering the name give me the trademark?
No. State registration only stops another company using the same name in that state. A trademark is a separate registration.
Can I use the same name in two states?
It depends on the second state's list. A company formed in one state that works in another usually registers there too, and the name must be free there as well.
This is general information, not legal advice. Name rules differ by state, so check the state's own website before you file.
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Written by the Jupiter Filing team
Jupiter Filing helps founders from any country form and run a US company online: formation, EIN, registered agent and yearly compliance. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
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