How to Name an LLC: The Complete Guide
One of the first steps in starting a new limited liability company is naming your company. There are several considerations when choosing an LLC name. When choosing a name for your company, there are certain state requirements, legal requirements, and general business and branding considerations that you should consider before choosing your company name. This article will help answer some common questions business owners face when picking a name for their LLC.
Requirements for Naming an LLC
Before deciding to form an LLC, one of the first questions your attorney will ask is what is the legal business name for the company. You will need to check with your Secretary of State or other licensing government agency to determine what you words you can and cannot use to name your LLC. It is important to remember that the requirements for naming your LLC will vary from state to state. It is always advisable to check with your attorney before forming an LLC.
Although the specific requirements may vary by state, there are some common requirements regardless of where you form an LLC. Most states will require that your LLC’s name include some of the following:
- Not be the same as or too similar to another business entity in the state
- Include the words: Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., LLC, LC, Ltd. Liability Co., or Ltd. Co.
- Not include certain restricted words like Bank, Insurance, Corporation, etc. unless you have written consent from a state agency
- Not imply that your company is something that it is not
Keep It Simple
When choosing LLC names, it is important to consider some general business considerations too. You want your business name to be easy to remember and easy to spell. A complicated name can make it hard for customers to find you online and difficult for people to refer to your business. It is often possible to file a dba ("Doing Business As") to help make your business name easier to recognize while not copying another company's business name.
LLC Name must be Distinguishable
One of the main requirements for an LLC name is that the business name is distinguishable. This means it can’t be too similar to another LLC or corporation in the state where you are forming your company.
Check Domain Availability
Most new businesses today are formed online and often are managed entirely online. When choosing an LLC name, it is important to make sure that the domain name for your LLC is available before settling on a name. You don’t want to find out after the fact that the website address you wanted is already taken. Conducting a name search is also critical to make sure that you have a coherent presence on social media.
Get Creative
While there are certain restrictions on what you can and cannot include when choosing your business name, there is still room for creativity. If you get stuck, try brainstorming with friends or family members to brainstorm a list of potential name ideas. Additionally, you can always choose a legal name for your business and then use a fictitious name or DBA that captures the brand for your small business.
Business name guidelines
Depending upon the jurisdiction of the LLC, you have to review the Secretary of State or local governing agency website to see if your desired name meets the required conditions of its operation. These regulations, however, are common across all states: Note that some states may differ in how long your LLC name must be and may require to include words such an LLC, LP, and LLP.
Restricted words
Generally, the word limits based on your company's location vary from state to state. Banks, government agencies, police, and insurance agencies can be cited. There's nothing in which you could use them. Then there is a request for statewide agency approval. In other words, a bank may require an endorsement by the Bank or Insurance department if they have a bank or insurance company.
How to Check is an LLC name is Taken.
When choosing your entity name, it is important to conduct a search to ensure that another company hasn't already taken your business name. To check to see if a business name has already been taken, you can:
- Search your state's business entity database
- Conduct a trademark search
- Check to see if the domain name is available
If you find that the name you want is already taken, you will need to choose a different LLC name.
Brainstorming LLC Names
If you have trouble coming up with a name for your LLC, try brainstorming with friends or family members. Once you have a list of potential names, you can run them through the requirements above and start narrowing down your choices. Naming an LLC does not have to be difficult if you take the time to do some research and plan ahead. Hopefully, this guide has given you some helpful tips on how to name your LLC.
Can you use a DBA for an LLC?
Another common question is whether you can use a DBA for your business. The answer is yes; you can use a DBA name for your LLC.
A DBA name is also known as a trading name or fictitious name. It is a name you use for your business that is different from your personal name or the legal name of your LLC. Just like when you choose an LLC name, you should still conduct a search to make sure that your names haven't been taken by someone else.
What are acceptable titles for an LLC?
One requirement for choosing a name for your LLC is that the words LLC, Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., or some other variation is listed as part of the name.
There are also other acceptable titles that can be used in place of LLC, such as Ltd., Co., and Corp.
While these are the most common variations, you should check with your state to see if they have any other requirements for the title of your LLC.
Naming an LLC is an important decision for any business owner.
LLC naming tips
Before choosing the name of your LLC, consider this advice when you pick a name that matches your company brand:
- Keep it simple
- Make it easy to pronounce and spell
- Avoid using words that are too general or generic
- Be sure to check if the name is already taken or trademarked
Final Thoughts on Naming Your LLC
Naming your LLC is an important decision for your new business. Be sure to consider all of the legal and business implications of your LLC name before making a final decision. With a little thought and planning, you can choose a great LLC name that will help you build a successful business. Thanks for reading! We hope this article was helpful in naming your new LLC. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at support@
We can help you
Creating a Limited Liability Company is fun, but LLC names can often become a headache for small businesses. There are often confusing legal documents that you will file when forming your business. To ensure that your business is filed correctly and that your new business chooses an LLC name that fits your company, it is advisable that you work with an attorney that focuses on business formations. An attorney is familiar with the nuances of choosing a company name and can help business owners choose the right name for their corporation and avoid potential liability or nasty cease & desist letters by taking a name used by another business.
