Search and Protect
To check if a business name is taken, enter the desired name into the search bar of the website database. If available, take steps to protect that name before others claim it. Register your business name or reserve it if not ready to register just yet.
There are legal and practical reasons to choose a unique business name. State law requires checking if a name’s taken.
Search state business name databases to see if a name is taken. Include all variations of the proposed name. Check with governing bodies too.
Using an unavailable name risks legal issues like lawsuits and reputation damage.
Government services provide free name availability checks of company registers and trademarks. Pay services may search beyond this.
Research and Verification
How do you check if a name is already used by a business? Enter the desired business name into the website’s search bar. Databases show if a name’s registered or trademarks are pending. Having a unique name establishes brand identity, differentiates you, and enables customers to find your business.
Start with a simple online search using search engines to find similar names in your industry. Check if the domain name is taken across multiple search engines. Search social media sites using variations of the name
If your desired name is taken, use a domain name generator to create something catchy, memorable, and available. Checking ensures no naming issues when forming your business entity and saves time and money.
Legal Implications of Shared Names
Whether two businesses can have the same name will depend a great deal on how you’re defining what constitutes a different name. Any trademarks, geographic indicators, and designs that are unique to one business will likely prevent other businesses from using the one.
The claim to a business name has a lot to do with consumer confusion, and whether having two similar or same names will be a sore point for consumers. If you and another business have the same or similar name, but you are not operating in the same industry or field, there may be no issue. However, if two companies are operating in the same field or industry, such as two clothing brands with the same name, this could be an issue.