Check a company name

• Not the ‘same as’ another companyNames that only differ by punctuation, special characters or common words count as the same: ‘Hands UK Ltd’ and ‘Hand’s Ltd’ are the same as ‘Hands Ltd’.¹
• Not ‘too like’ another nameIf someone complains and Companies House agrees your name is too like one registered before yours, you may have to change it.¹
• Ends in ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’A private limited company’s name must usually end in ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ (‘Cyfyngedig’ or ‘Cyf’ in Wales).¹
• Sole traders: no ‘Ltd’A sole trader’s name must not include ‘Limited’, ‘Ltd’, ‘LLP’ or ‘plc’, nor be too similar to a trade mark.²

A free company name is not a free brand: this tool does not check trade marks.³

Sources

1. Set up a private limited company · GOV.UK · read on 8 November 2026
2. Become a sole trader · GOV.UK · read on 8 November 2026
3. Search for a trade mark · Intellectual Property Office · read on 8 November 2026