Your company name is arguably a sacred part of your business. Whether you're drafting a business plan or creating a business website, you know that your business name will need to be at the center of each of these important components.
With this in mind, you’ll want to protect your business name against others potentially using and misusing it. To help you determine the best way to register a business name, this guide will walk you through the process and provide you with insight into each option.
Select a business name
Before you can register a business name, you’ll need to come up with a solid name, which is an essential part of starting a business. While finding the right name takes some creativity and research, the process may not begin the same way for everyone. You might already know that whichever name you come up with, it has to reflect the types of products or services you offer. For example, a nail technician will most likely highlight the word nail in their business name, especially since that’s the core of their work identity.
Then there are those whose businesses may be broader or expect to grow and diversify. In both cases, it’s recommended to follow these guidelines on how to name a business from scratch so that you can come up with one that checks all the right boxes. You can also explore store names to help you land on one.
Here are the main factors you’ll need to consider:
Use a business name generator A company name generator lets you get a head start on the naming process by automatically generating a handful of best company names for you. You can use the options as ideas and modify them to your likening.
To use this tool, just type three descriptive words about your business into the search bar. Try to focus on industry-specific descriptive terms when feeding words into the generator, such as:
Fitness: Try body, mind and health.
Restaurant: Think fresh, market and gourmet.
Craftsperson: Emphasize artisan, folk and handmade in your search.
Designer: Attribute to concepts like, modern, vintage or edgy.
Be original
Now that you have a long list of business name ideas, use your personal preferences and professional instincts to narrow down your options. First and foremost, your business name should be original so that it can stand out against your competitors. Ideally, people will come to recognize your unique name and instantly connect it to your brand, which can help you down the road if you choose to register your business name and trademark it.
Keep it simple
Whichever original name you choose, your customers will need to know how to write it down or type it into a search engine. With that in mind, use a name that is easy to remember and spell. That way there won’t be any confusion or misspellings on their part, as well as by future partners and suppliers for your branded merchandise and dealings.
Once you’ve decided on a choice, you may want to operate as DBA and test out the name until you make it official. When you're ready, it’s time to move on to the next step: registering your business name.
How to register a business name
Now that you have a strong name for your business, it’s time to make it official. Registering your business name is key to protecting your company or brand so no one else can use it. While this guide focuses on the process in the US, if you’re in another country, check with your local government agency for more details.
Depending on your business structure and the state where you operate in the U.S., there are several ways to register your company name. Each method has its own purpose, so it’s important to understand the requirements and benefits before moving forward.
01. Selecting an entity name
One method of registering a business name is by filling out the required paperwork for becoming a business entity. The entity name you choose will be the legal name of your business. You will have to sign every official document and contract under this name as required by state rules.
Once you decide on what type of business you want to form, whether that’s an unincorporated business (like an LLC) or corporation, you must file registration papers with the appropriate Secretary of State’s office, a Business Bureau or a Business Agency, along with your chosen legal name. Furthermore, state laws prohibit companies from registering a name that’s already in use by another firm and from using certain phrases or words. This is why doing an entity business name search and researching the rules and regulations per state is crucial throughout the process.
With that being said, corporation suffixes such as Inc or Co don’t have to feel intimidating as you build a brand. In fact, many of us can trace back our earliest and possibly most enduring encounter with entity names in nostalgic places like the cartoon Looney Tunes and its fictional Acme Corporation. Interestingly, this has left a positive connotation in terms of brand image, showing that entity names can serve to strengthen brand authority.
02. Choosing a DBA name
Alternatively, you can choose a Doing Business As name, also known as a DBA. This allows you to do business as a name other than your own or entity name. It’s a good option if you’re a sole proprietor and want to register your business under a name other than your own. In the same line, corporations and LLCs may prefer to use a name that’s different than the one they filed with their legal paperwork (i.e. Fresh Foods Inc. can register their DBA as Fresh Foods).
While it doesn’t provide legal protection, most local and state governments require that you register a business name in some form or another. And with a DBA, you’d also be eligible for a federal tax ID number (EIN) and can open a business bank account under it. Registering a business name as a DBA can boost your company strategy and the ways in which you conduct business.
03. Buy your domain name
For some small business owners, registering a domain name for your business name is the final step of the naming process. Even if you’re in the early stages of creating a website for your new business, you should buy a domain name as soon as possible to prevent another business from acquiring it. Keep in mind, however, that registering a domain name does not replace legal name registration or trademarking, which are crucial steps to protect your business identity.
A best practice is to use your business name as your domain name so that customers can easily identify and find your business online. But first, you’ll need to conduct a domain name search to make sure that yours is available. Once you’ve got your domain name, you can register it with Wix for as long as you need it, and be ready for when you connect it to your site.
04. Trademark your business name
While business names are registered at a state level, when you trademark a business name you take one step further toward protecting your company mark on a national level. Let’s take a deeper dive into what that entails.
Under the Lanham Act, also known as the Trademark Act of 1946, activities such as trademark infringement, dilution of a famous mark and false advertising are prohibited by law. Any word, phrase, logo or symbol that is identified or distinguished by a trademark, such as Betty Crocker, Google or Ford, is entitled to federal judicial protection against infringement.
In order to be eligible for trademark protection, your company mark must be “in use in commerce and it must be distinctive,” according to the Act. If you meet the requirements, you may file an application to trademark your business name through the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where you will need to pay a processing fee starting from $250 per class of goods and services. Before you can officially trademark a business name, double check yours against the official database by the USPTO.
05. Register a business name with state and local agencies
Registering with state and local agencies helps ensure your business meets all legal requirements beyond just entity registration. Some industries like food services, healthcare or financial services may need special licenses and permits to operate.
States often require businesses to register for sales tax, employer identification numbers (EIN) and other tax-related accounts if they hire employees or sell taxable goods. Check with your state’s business office and local government to confirm what’s needed to stay compliant.
Skipping these registrations can lead to fines, penalties or even business closure, so staying on top of it is key. Many states also ask for annual or biennial filings to keep your business in good standing. Keeping your documents updated ensures smooth operations and avoids surprise legal issues. If you’re planning to operate in multiple states, you might need to register as a foreign entity in each state where you do business.
06. Secure social media handles
Securing social media handles means claiming your business or brand's unique username on social platforms. It’s just as important as registering a domain name because it keeps your branding consistent and stops others from using your name.
Before locking in your business name, check platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and TikTok to see if the handle is available. Your social media username should match your business name to make it easier for customers to find and recognize you online. If the exact name isn’t available, try adding words like “official,” “HQ” or something relevant to your industry.
Reserving your handles early helps avoid brand confusion and impersonation, keeping your reputation safe. Even if you’re not ready to use social media yet, having those accounts secured means they’ll be there when you are. Consistency across platforms also builds stronger brand trust and recognition. To make things easier, use a handle checker tool to quickly find available usernames across multiple platforms.
How to register a company name FAQ
Can I register my name as a business name?
You can register your personal name as a business name, especially if you're a sole proprietor. If you want exclusive rights to the name or plan to brand it separately, you might need to file for a DBA or trademark it.