By
August 25, 2026
How Can I Check if a UK Company Name Is Available?
Before registering a UK limited company, you should check whether your proposed company name is available and complies with Companies House rules.
A name appearing to be available does not automatically mean it is safe to use. You should also check for similar company names, registered trade marks and suitable domain names.
The quickest way to check a UK company name is to use the free Companies House company name availability checker.
Enter your proposed name, including “Limited” or “Ltd”. The checker will show whether the exact name can potentially be registered.
You should also search the wider Companies House register for:
Your name cannot be the same as an existing registered company name.
Companies House may treat names as the same when the only differences are punctuation, certain special characters or commonly used company words.
A name may also be challenged if it is considered “too like” an existing name. This can happen when two names look or sound very similar, even if they are not identical.
Adding words such as “UK”, “Group”, “Services” or “Online” may not always make a name sufficiently distinctive.
Companies House approval does not confirm that you have the right to use the name as a brand.
Search the UK Intellectual Property Office trade mark database to see whether the name, or a similar name, has already been protected.
Using a registered trade mark without permission could result in:
Trade mark checks are especially important if you plan to advertise, sell online or operate throughout the UK.
Some words and expressions require approval before they can be included in a UK company name.
These may include words suggesting:
A name can appear available but still be rejected if it contains a restricted or sensitive word without the necessary permission.
Before registering the company, check whether a suitable website domain is available.
Ideally, the domain should:
Remember that registering a domain does not give you the legal right to use the corresponding company name or trade mark.
Search the main social media platforms to confirm whether suitable usernames are available.
Using a consistent name across your website and social media accounts makes your business easier to recognise and can reduce customer confusion.
Companies House does not provide a separate company-name reservation service.
If you want to secure an available name, you normally need to register the company. Availability may change at any time if another person registers the name first.
Before submitting your company formation application:
You can check whether a UK company name is available using the Companies House online checker. However, you should also search for similar registered companies, existing trade marks, restricted words and available domain names.
Completing these checks before registration can reduce the risk of rejection, legal disputes and costly rebranding.
