How to check if a company name is available in the UK

Choosing your company’s name feels like a big first step in making it a reality. And indeed it is. But it’s not just about identity – that name is a legal marker, a branding tool, and the first thing customers, partners and potential investors will see.

Before you start buying domain names and designing logos, there’s one thing you absolutely must do: check if the name you want is available.

This guide walks you through how to check whether a company name is available in the UK. It outlines the legal rules you need to be aware of and what to do if your preferred name is already taken. We’ll also share tips on choosing a strong, brandable name – and how Zempler Bank can help you register your business quickly and easily.

Why checking your company name matters

Choosing a name might seem like a purely creative decision but in reality, it’s a legal one too. Registering a company name that’s already in use – or too similar to one that already exists – can cause big problems. From having your name registration rejected to potential legal disputes further down the line, it’s not worth taking a risk on.

By checking name availability up front, you can:

• Avoid infringing on other businesses’ rights
• Remove the need for a costly rebrand later
• Get matching domain names and social handles
• Build a brand with confidence.

This isn’t a step to skip. It’s your chance to protect your brand before it even launches.

How do you check if a company name is available?

1. Use Zempler’s free company name checker

Make sure your dream business name is available before you commit. With the free Zempler company name checker, you can instantly see whether the name you want is available to register with Companies House. Quick and simple, it saves you the hassle of getting partway through registering your company only to hit a roadblock.

How to check:

1. Go to the Zempler name checker
2. Enter the company name you want
3. You’ll get an instant result showing whether the name is available or too similar to one already registered.

Key legal info: By law, all private limited company names must end in ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ (or their Welsh equivalents ‘Cyfyngedig’ or ‘Cyf’). Certain words – like ‘Accredited’, ‘Authority’ or anything potentially misleading or offensive – are classed as sensitive and may require approval from a relevant body.

Or use the Companies House name checker

Companies House is the official UK registrar for limited companies. You can also use its site to see if the company name you want is available.

Even if your chosen name isn’t an exact match, it could still be rejected if it’s deemed “too like” another company’s name. For example, Green Tech Solutions Ltd might be too close to GreenTek Solutions Ltd.

2. Check for registered trademarks

A name might pass the Companies House availability test, but that doesn’t guarantee it’s safe to use commercially. If someone has trademarked a similar name in your industry, you could end up infringing on their rights. It’s smart to check if a similar trademark to your brand already exists in the UK and find out who owns it.

How to check:

1. Go to the UK IPO trademark search tool
2. Search for your proposed name, variations of it, and any related terms you can think of. You can also search by trademark number or owner, by image, or a combination of words and image
3. Check if trademarks exist in your category of business.

If a similar trademark exists, think twice about sticking with yours. Even if you’re legally allowed to register the name, you may still face hassle or legal action if using it creates confusion or impacts the other company’s business.

3. Verify the domain name is available

After completing your legal checks you can switch focus to your online presence. Does your chosen name have an available matching domain?

Tools like 123 Reg and GoDaddy can help you check availability. Prioritise key extensions like .co.uk, .com, and .uk. If the domain you want is already taken, get creative with alternatives that still work with your brand. A clean, punchy and memorable domain name is the foundation of a strong online identity.

4. Search social media handles

In branding, consistency is king. If the Instagram handle you want is taken, but the X handle you want isn’t, it might confuse customers or weaken your brand presence to have different handles for each. Try to find a compromise with a handle that works across different channels.

Not every social media channel will be relevant to every brand. While it’s important to concentrate on those most likely to generate interest and income for your business, it’s also worth reserving your handle across as many channels as possible.

Check platforms including:

• Instagram
• X (formerly Twitter) or Bluesky
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• TikTok
• YouTube

5. Do a general web search

Here’s a step many forget: search Google. A general search for your proposed name might turn up:

• Unregistered businesses also using the name
• Local competitors with similar branding
• Online shops, blogs, or influencers that could create confusion.

It’s an easy way to spot potential brand conflicts early, even if those businesses aren’t officially registered or trademarked. It can also give you some inspiration as to what works well and what doesn’t.

What if your company name is rejected?

If your business name is flagged for being too similar to another or due to a trademark issue, don’t worry – you have options:

• Tweak the name slightly (for example, change the order of words, add a distinctive term or creative spelling)
• Choose a different name entirely
• Consider appealing the decision – though be aware that this is rare.

Once you have an alternative or two, use the Zempler name checker to test them until you find one that clears the legal and branding hurdles.

The legal difference: registered name vs trading name

Not every business trades under its registered name. For example, you might be registered as White Valley Solutions Ltd but trade simply as WVS.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Your registered name is the legal identity of your company and appears on public records
• Your trading name is what you use day-to-day – this doesn’t need to be registered.

It’s important to know that trading names must still avoid misleading customers or infringing on existing trademarks. So you can’t call yourself Amazon Consultancy, for example, just because you’re not using it as your registered name.

What else do you need to register a company?

Finding a name that’s available is just the start. When you’re ready to register, you’ll also need:

• A UK registered office address
• At least one director and shareholder
• Share structure information
• Memorandum and Articles of Association

Ready to register? Zempler Bank can help

You can register a company directly with Companies House or through an authorised formation agent. Zempler Bank offers a fast, convenient company formation service – perfect for small business owners who want everything in one place.

Zempler Bank offers a £100 reward when you set up a business bank account and register your company at the same time.

With Zempler’s formation service, you can:

• Apply to register your company online in minutes
• Apply to open a Zempler business bank account at the same time – no complex paperwork or delays
• Manage your money from day one with built-in tools for expenses, cash flow and more
• Enjoy transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

It’s a simple way to start your business with confidence and control.

Learn more about our Formations service.

Final thoughts

Checking your company name is more than a formality – it’s one of the first steps in building a brand and a business. By taking a few minutes to run the right checks, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and set yourself up for success.

And when you’re ready to make it official, Zempler Bank can help you register and hit the ground running – no friction, no faff, just business banking made simpler.