{"id":5145,"date":"2016-04-04T11:47:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/choosing-your-business-name.html"},"modified":"2026-05-20T17:34:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T22:34:00","slug":"choosing-your-business-name","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/choosing-your-business-name.html","title":{"rendered":"Choosing Your Business Name"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Choosing Your Business Name<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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When choosing a name for a business, entrepreneurs should not only look to distinguish their brand in the marketplace but also to comply with state naming rules such as being unique and using a particular ending if forming a limited liability company or corporation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the perfect name<\/span> for your company is an essential step in forming any business. You want to find a catchy<\/span> company name<\/span> for your startup<\/span>. Entrepreneurs<\/span> need to ensure it\u2019s not so catchy<\/span> that potential customers<\/span> don\u2019t know what it does. Your company name<\/span> also can\u2019t be so specific that you are unable to expand or sell different products.<\/p>\n

A great business name<\/span> should consider legal issues like\u00a0trademarks<\/u><\/a>. You could ruin your brand identity<\/span> by having to rename it if it is federally registered to another small business<\/span>. Rebranding can confuse your target audience<\/span> and cost you time, energy, and money.<\/p>\n

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To help you\u00a0start the naming process<\/u><\/a>, this FindLaw article answers some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) small business<\/span> owners<\/span> have when brainstorming<\/span> new <\/span>business names<\/span>. Learn about fictitious business names<\/span>, the process of registering your business name<\/span>, and intellectual property considerations below.<\/p>\n

Main Considerations in Picking a Business Name<\/span><\/h2>\n

When brainstorming<\/span> business names<\/span>, you should find one that conveys what the company does while remaining original. A good <\/span>business name<\/span> generally\u00a0meets the following criteria<\/u><\/a>:<\/p>\n