Choosing a company name is one of the most exciting parts of starting a business, but it’s also one of the most regulated. There are detailed rules covering what you can include, from particular words to punctuation and symbols.
Get it wrong and you could face company name conflicts and Companies House may reject your application – or in some cases, direct you to change your name after registration.
This guide explains the legal rules for company names, which characters and symbols are allowed, and what happens if your name is rejected. Whether you’re forming your first limited company or rebranding an existing one, here’s how to choose a compliant and memorable name.
Key takeaways
- Companies House accepts letters A–Z (including accented Latin letters), digits, and specific punctuation and symbols.
- Some symbols like +, %, and * are banned in the first three characters of a name.
- Visual variations like accents or added punctuation don’t distinguish a name from existing ones in legal terms.
Step-by-step: checking if your company name is available
Before you order any signage or design a logo, make sure the company name itself can legally be used.
Step 1 – Check the Companies House register
Use the Companies House company-name availability checker and the Quality Company Formations name-checking tool to see if your proposed name already appears on the register. The tool flags names that would be treated as ‘the same as’ an existing one. But it doesn’t decide whether a name is ‘too like’ another: that judgement is made by Companies House officers (usually after incorporation if someone complains).
- What is the role of Companies House?
- What happens after you set up a company?
- Can my company have the same name as another company?
Treat the company name checker as a first filter: it helps you avoid obvious clashes before moving on to more thorough checks, such as trademarks and domain names. For example, ‘Bright Home Ltd’ and ‘Bright-Home Limited’ would be treated as the same name, whereas ‘Bright Home Installations Ltd’ would normally be accepted.
Step 2 – Search the trademarks register
A company name and a trademark are not the same thing. Even if Companies House accepts your name, you could still infringe someone’s registered trademark. So, be sure to search the UK Intellectual Property Office trademarks register for exact and near matches in your business area. If a similar name is trademarked in your sector, using it could lead to legal issues later.
Step 3 – Check domain names and social handles
Look for available web domains and matching social media usernames. Consistency across channels helps customers find and trust you.
Step 4 – Sense-check it
Say the name aloud, write it down, and ask a few people what they think. Is it clear, easy to pronounce, and professional? If it sounds awkward or could be mistaken for another brand, rethink it before you register.
What are the legal rules for company names?
Company-naming rules are set out in the Companies Act 2006 and the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015.
In practice, Companies House will reject any name that:
- Is identical to or ‘the same as’ an existing name on the register.
- Contains offensive, misleading, or sensitive words without approval.
- Implies a connection with government or public authorities without consent.
- Exceeds 160 permitted characters. (Remember, spaces count.)
- Omits the correct ending, such as Limited / Ltd, Public Limited Company / PLC, or LLP, depending on the company type.
Permitted characters and symbols in UK company names
Companies House only accepts specific letters, numbers, and symbols. These are listed in Schedule 1 of The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015.
Letters
You may use:
- The standard 26 Latin letters (A–Z, a–z).
- Extended Latin letters with accents or diacritical marks, for example:
À Á Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç È É Ê Ë Ì Í Î Ï Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ø Ù Ú Û Ü Ý Þ ß à á â ã ä å æ ç è é ê ë ì í î ï ñ ò ó ô õ ö ø ù ú û ü ý þ ÿ. - Certain other European letters allowed by the schedule, such as ð, Đ, đ, Ħ, ħ, ĸ, Ł, ł, Œ, œ, Š, š, Ž, ž.
Accented or special letters are treated as ‘the same as’ their unaccented forms when Companies House compares names. For example, Éco Ltd is regarded as the same as Eco Ltd.
Numbers
Digits are permitted anywhere in the name. Numbers written as words (‘Three’) and as figures (‘3’) may be treated as the same for comparison purposes.
Punctuation marks
You can use the punctuation shown in Schedule 1 Table 2, including:
‘ ’ “ ” « » ( ) [ ] { } < > , . : ; – – ! ? / \
Symbols
- Permitted anywhere: &, @, £, $, €, ¥
- Permitted but not within the first three characters: *, =, +, #, %
Practical guidance
When punctuation or symbols are used sparingly, they can strengthen readability. But when they appear too often, they create visual noise – and that confusion can prompt Companies House to take a closer look.
Accented characters and numerals behave in much the same way. They’re perfectly acceptable to include, but if the underlying wording is identical, they don’t create meaningful separation from an existing name. Below, we’ve outlined how the naming rules for UK companies operate in practice.
|
Allowed |
Not allowed |
| Crème Café Ltd – accented letters accepted | C☕ Café Ltd – emoji not permitted |
| Create & Co Ltd – & permitted anywhere | +Alpha Ltd – + cannot appear within the first three characters |
| Design/Build Ltd – / accepted | Build × Design Ltd – multiplication sign not permitted |
| Bright@Home Ltd – @ permitted anywhere | AB% Consulting Ltd – % within the first three characters |
| Retail (UK) Ltd – brackets permitted | C.O.M.P.A.N.Y Ltd – excessive punctuation may be refused |
The ‘same as’ rule for company names
Companies House will refuse a name if it’s judged to be the same as one already on the register. A name is treated as the same when the only differences are minor, such as punctuation, spacing, symbols, or common words like UK, Services, Company, or International. The table below shows how that might play out in practice.
|
Rejected (‘same as’) |
Accepted (different enough) |
| Home Care Ltd / Home-Care Limited | Home Care Solutions Ltd |
| Sunlight UK Ltd / Sunlight Limited | Sunlight Installations Ltd |
| Green Energy Services Ltd | Green Energy Design Ltd |
Exceptions to the ‘same as’ rule
A name that would normally be the same as another can still be registered if you have written consent from that existing company. A valid consent letter must:
- Be signed by a company officer (director or secretary).
- Explicitly authorise registration of the new name.
- Include both company names and their registration numbers.
Keep the letter of consent safely: Companies House may ask to see it during or after incorporation.
Sensitive words and expressions
Some words in company names need official permission because they imply authority, national status, or professional recognition. Examples include ‘Royal’, ‘Charity’, ‘Bank’, and ‘British’. If your name includes one, you’ll need written approval from the relevant body before registration. For the full list of sensitive words, the approval process, and who to contact, see our detailed guide to sensitive words and expressions.
What to do if your company name is rejected
Even with careful checking, your chosen wording can still lead to company name conflicts and be refused by Companies House. Rejection usually happens for one of four reasons:
- It’s identical to or ‘the same as’ another registered name.
- It includes a sensitive word without consent.
- It’s considered offensive or misleading.
- It breaks formatting rules, such as using unapproved symbols.
If your application is rejected, Companies House will provide an explanation for the rejection. You can then correct the issue and resubmit – there’s no need to start again.
If your company name is challenged after incorporation
If another company complains that your name is too similar to theirs, Companies House can direct you to change it (usually within 12 months of incorporation). You’ll have 28 days to propose a new name that resolves the issue, or Companies House can assign one for you.
Tips for creative and appropriate business naming
A compliant name also needs to work well in practice. Keep these principles in mind:
- Keep it short and clear: one to three words is ideal.
- Avoid unnecessary punctuation.
- Check pronunciation and spelling with a few people outside your business.
- Stay professional and future-proof by choosing something that will grow with your brand.
Registering a company name
Companies House doesn’t currently offer a formal name-reservation service, and the only way to secure a name is to register a company using it. If you’re not ready to trade yet, you can form a dormant company to hold the name until you’re ready to launch. This prevents anyone else from registering it in the meantime. Once you’ve confirmed that your name meets all requirements, you can register through either Companies House or an approved formation agent, like Quality Company Formations, who can manage the process for you.
Enter the name exactly as you want it to appear: spelling, punctuation, and capitalisation included. If everything complies, Companies House will issue a certificate of incorporation, confirming your company’s official name and registration number.
Getting the fundamentals right
Choosing a name is one of the earliest steps in building your business – and one of the most important to get right. It’s also one of the easiest places to run into delays if you haven’t checked the rules.
Taking a little time to understand how names are reviewed means you can move forward with confidence. You’ll avoid unnecessary back-and-forth, protect your future brand, and reduce the risk of needing to make changes later. If you’re ready to register, we can help you secure your name quickly and correctly – with expert support at every stage.
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