Rules for naming your business

Once the name of your company or limited liability partnership (LLP) has been registered, there is usually no need to change it. However, there are some exceptions. You may need to change your company or LLP name if:

• there is an objection, upheld by the Secretary of State, that the name is 'too like' another business' name
• within five years of registration it is found that misleading information was given at the time of registration
• within five years of registration any conditions attached to the registration - such as the provision of support documentation for a sensitive name - have not been fulfilled
• someone objects that the company or LLP name is the same as one in which they have goodwill and that the reason for registration was 'opportunistic'
• the name is misleading and as a result may cause harm to the public

What is 'too like' in a business name?

If a company name is found to be very similar to that of an existing company name - for example if the names differ in a minor way - they are likely to be 'too like'. Most names that are 'too like' could cause some confusion, such as the names A & B Consultants Limited and A & B Consulting Limited.

If names differ by one or more words, they will usually be acceptable, unless the names have very distinctive elements in common, and differ only by words such as 'services' or 'trading'.

Objecting to a name

If you wish to object to a name, write to the registrar where the company to which you object is registered:

For Northern Ireland:
The Registrar of Companies
Companies House
Second Floor
The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BG

Directions to change a company name must be issued within 12 months of registration or change of name. If the registrar upholds the objection, the company or LLP must change its name within 12 weeks.

Opportunistic registrations

If a company has registered a name with the main objective of getting money or other consideration from an individual or another company, they can be ordered to change the name.