1. An overview 

People may get a lot of information from the name of your business. 
It might be easy to try to make your business name sound like you, but there are a lot of other things to think about first. It may be better to be objective and pick a name that fits with your business plan, especially as your company grows. 
This guide will help you make a good first impression, show off your business name, decide if your business name will become your brand, and get your name on the web. It also spells out the exact steps you need to take to pick a name for your limited company, limited liability partnership, single trader, or partnership. 
 

2. Picking the right name for your business to make a good first impact 

The most important part of your brand will be your business name. It should look good on the phone, in your image, on signs, on business cards, in ads, on your website, in emails, and in any other way you plan to reach people. 
Here are some things to think about when picking a name for your business: 
• Do you want the name to show what kind of work your company does, like moving, cleaning, or building? If not, would something more general work? 
• Do you think it would be smart to add your name? 
• Would you like a name that sounds traditional, like it will last and be based on old-fashioned values, or one that sounds current like it will be based on new ideas? 
•Remember that words and sentences that will become out-of-date quickly are not good for the present. 
•If you're going to be doing business abroad, make sure the name doesn't mean anything bad in those languages. • Your business name should be original, but your company name should be simple. In the future, you'll be able to use this freedom to create other brands and trading names. 
The name you choose for your business might not work with certain rules. 
 

3. Names for limited company and LLP 

Companies House needs to have your name and other information on file if you want to start a limited company or limited liability partnership (LLP). 
You need to make sure that the name you want to use doesn't break any rules about name ends or "same as" rules, or that it doesn't use a forbidden or sensitive word without permission. 
Names for companies and LLPs: the rules 
Choose a name that ends with "limited" (or Ltd) or "public limited company" (or plc) to make sure it's right. 
• If you have a limited liability partnership, it finishes with LLP or "limited liability partnership." 
• isn't impolite
• isn't the same as a business name that's already on the list 
• does not use any controversial words or phrases (unless you have permission to do so) 
Brand names 
Make sure that the name you want to use is not the same as or very close to a trademark that has already been filed. 
Not happy with the names of a company or LLP 
When a company or LLP name is too similar to an existing one, you can file a complaint with Companies House. You can also do this if: 
• the name is found to be misleading within five years of registration; 
• any conditions attached to the registration have not been met within five years of registration, such as providing support documentation for a sensitive name; or 
• the name is misleading and may cause harm. 
On top of that, you can report to the Company Names Tribunal at the Intellectual Property Office about the name of a company or LLP if you think it was picked for selfish reasons. 
 

4. Names of persons who work alone, in partnerships, and in limited liability partnerships 

People who work alone or in general groups can use their own names or pick a different name for their business. 
If you choose a business name, it can't: 
• be offensive 
• include the terms public limited company (PLC), limited (Ltd), or limited liability partnership (LLP);
• have restricted or sensitive words and phrases, unless you have permission to use them; nor can it be insulting. 
Either "Limited Partnership" or "LLP" must be added to the end of your business name if you register as a limited partnership. 
Is your suggested business name already being used by someone else? 
Make sure that the name you want to use isn't already taken. 
Any single business owner on the other side of the country might be able to use it without any issues. You should pick a different name, though, if a neighborhood, state, or national business are already using it. 
These checks should be made: 
• Look in phone books, 
• Think about your calls and buyers; don't use long names, weird words, or weird spelling. When you put up ads in directories like the Yellow Pages, you might want to use a name that shows up near the top of the results for your type of business. 
• If you want to sell your product or service in your area, you might want to use the name of the city or town in your business name. 
Business directories, and online to make sure that a business hasn't already taken the name you want; 

• Make sure that the name isn't too close to a word or phrase that has been registered as a trademark. 
If you need more clarification about the name of your business, talk to someone at our Branch office. 

5. Putting hurtful words and phrases in business names 

You can't use certain words or phrases in the name of your business unless you have permission from the right people. People might get the wrong idea about your business from these words. People call them "sensitive words." 
All kinds of businesses have to follow the rules about private words, which can be broken down into five main groups: 
• Words like "National," "International," and "Indian" that make it sound like your business is important or well-known on a national level 
• Words that imply a high rank, like Society, Association, Authority, Chartered, Council, Institute, 
• words that imply a certain purpose, like Charity, Insurance, Register, and Trust 
• words that make you think of a specific activity, like "Health Centre" 
• words that make you think of the government or royalty Parliament, such as the Government, 

6. Putting up and telling people about the name of your business, company, or limited liability partnership 
Customers and sellers need to know who they are dealing with, so every business has to put up its name and other information. You shouldn't print your stationery until you're sure that the name you want to use is okay. 
Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and limited companies have to wait until they are fully registered and have been given a Certificate of Incorporation. 
If a single trader or company wants to use a private word in their business name, they need to get permission first. 
You need to put up a sign that says the name of your business or LLP: 
• in easy-to-read letters 
• in a place where people can see it clearly and easily at all times, not just during business hours 
• all the time 
Also, you need to include your company's or LLP's registered name on all written and electronic business documents, such as: 
• emails 
• letters, notices, and other official publications 
• bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, and order forms 
• checks signed by or on behalf of the company 
• orders for money, goods, or services signed by or on behalf of the company 
• bills of parcels, invoices, and other demands for payment, receipts, and letters of cred 
On your website, the name of your business should be easy to read, but it doesn't have to be on every page. 
You don't have to list the names of directors on business letters if you don't want to. But if you do decide to list the names of the leaders, you must list all of their names. 
You don't have to show the names of your members if your LLP has more than 20 members. You must, however, keep a list of members at your main place of business and make it clear that people can look at the list. 
Putting a name online 
If your business has a website, you need to show: 
• General information about your business, like the name, address, email address, and (if applicable) VAT registration number of your business 
• Information on any professional groups you are a part of or any schemes that your service has to follow 

7. Putting your company name on the web 

For now, you might not be planning to make a website for your business, but you will probably be using email and want to be online at some point. 
Picking out a website name 
the address of a website, like my-new-business.co.in, is called a domain name. A domain name ending in.co.in is good for most Indian companies. This name will usually be in your email address, like contact@my-new-business.in. 
The.com name extension can be applied for by businesses and people who meet certain requirements. For example, www.promunim.com
A domain name for your business must be registered through an agent, who will charge a small fee every year. This needs to be done right away, even if you're not going to use your domain name right away. 
Register of Companies rules say that you can't have a domain name that is the same as the name of a business. 
Getting your domain name registered 
• Come up with a good domain name
for your website. You can use letters or numbers. A hyphen can be used between words, but not a space, a full stop, or any other marker. It's smart to have a few extra names ready in case the one you want is already taken. 
• Check to see if the name is already taken on the official registry for Indian domain names; 
• Put the name on file. You can do this online with any registered provider. You can pick from hundreds of registering providers. Nominate is a good place to start.