How do I check if a business name is taken?
By Ash, Founder, HosteazePublished 2 min read
The short answer
In the UK, check five places. Use the Companies House name availability checker, search the UK trade marks register (and the EU one if you sell there), look up the domain, check social media handles, and search Google and Google Maps. A clear result on Companies House alone doesn't mean the name is safe to use.
Most people check Companies House, see the name is free and order business cards. That covers one of five risks. The name could still clash with a registered trade mark, a sole trader down the road, or a domain someone bought years ago.
Where should I check, and in what order?
- Type the name into the Companies House name availability checker. It lists any existing names Companies House treats as the "same as" yours, which it won't register.
- Search the main Companies House register as well, to spot names that are close without being identical. "Too like" names can be challenged after you register.
- Search the UK trade marks register using the GOV.UK "Search for a trade mark" service. Look for similar marks in the same type of goods or services, not only exact matches.
- If you sell into the EU, search EUIPO's eSearch plus too. A UK trade mark only covers the UK and the Isle of Man.
- Look up the .co.uk and .com. If the one you want is registered, find out who owns the domain before you write it off.
- Search the name on the main social platforms, Google and Google Maps. This is the only way to find unregistered sole traders.
What does each check actually protect me from?
| Check | Finds | Doesn't find |
|---|---|---|
| Companies House | Limited companies, LLPs | Sole traders, partnerships, trade marks |
| UK trade marks register | Registered brand names and logos | Unregistered businesses |
| Domain lookup | Who holds the web address | Whether the name is legally free |
| Google and Maps | Local and unregistered businesses | Dormant registered marks |
What counts as "the same" name?
Companies House ignores punctuation, "UK", "Ltd" and a trailing "s" when it compares company names. GOV.UK's own example: "Hands UK Ltd" and "Hand's Ltd" are both treated as the same as "Hands Ltd". Trade marks work differently. The question there is whether customers could be confused, so a name that sounds the same but is spelt differently can still clash with a mark in the same trade.
What if a similar name already exists?
If it's a different trade in a different area with no trade mark, you may be fine, but GOV.UK advises getting professional advice before applying for a mark when you know a similar one exists. Often the cheaper fix is a tweak. Go back to choosing a business name with what you've learned. Once you're clear, register the trade mark and the domain in the same week, before anyone else has the same idea.
Related guides: .co.uk vs .com, which is better?.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one register of all UK business names?
No. Companies House only lists incorporated businesses such as limited companies and LLPs. Sole traders and ordinary partnerships aren't registered anywhere by name, so you have to search for them with Google, Google Maps and trade directories.
If Companies House accepts my name, can anyone stop me using it?
Yes, they can. Companies House registration doesn't override someone else's trade mark. If your name is too similar to a registered mark in the same line of business, the owner can ask you to stop using it.
Can the IPO check a name for me?
Yes. As of October 2026, a Right Start trade mark application costs £125 for one class, and the Intellectual Property Office checks your application meets the rules before you pay the rest of the fee.
