Check Company Name Availability UK
Search ltd company names instantly against the live Companies House register. Check for company name availability, sensitive word restrictions, and trademark conflicts — all free, in seconds.
Company Names Search — Official UK Register
Enter your desired ltd company name to check availability instantly against the active Companies House registry and trademark database.
✓ Live Companies House API • ✓ Sensitive Word Filter • ✓ 100% Free
What Is a Company Names Search?
A company names search is the process of querying the official Companies House index to confirm whether your chosen name is already registered, dissolved, or protected. Before you can complete any new ltd company registration, you must check for company name availability to avoid rejection.
The UK holds over 5 million registered entities in its register. Our tool runs a live query against that database, applying the same "too-like" matching rules Companies House uses internally — so you get an accurate result before investing in branding, domains, or trademarks.
After you confirm your ltd company name is available, you can proceed directly to ltd company UK registration via our same-day formation service.
How to Choose a Legally Compliant UK Ltd Company Name
To check company name availability UK, you must understand the rules Companies House applies. Selecting a name is more than branding — the UK has strict legal guidelines that govern every ltd company names register submission.
Firstly, your chosen name cannot be identical or "too like" an existing registered company. For example, if "Acme Services Ltd" already exists, Companies House will automatically reject "Acme Services UK Ltd" or "Acme Services Group Ltd" because they are legally considered identical under the "same as" rule.
Secondly, your chosen name cannot contain sensitive words or expressions unless you have special permission. Words like "British", "Royal", "Chartered", "Association", "Fund", and "Council" require specific documentation or regulatory approval.
Thirdly, even when Companies House approves your ltd company name, it may still infringe on an active trademark registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO). Always check trademarks alongside your company names search.
Ready to Register?
Once your name is confirmed available, start your new ltd company registration with our same-day formation service.
Register Your Ltd Company →UK Ltd Company Naming Rules Checklist
- Must end in "Limited" or "Ltd" Welsh companies can also end in "Cyfyngedig" or "Cyf".
- Must be unique — not "too like" any existing name Excludes common words, punctuation, plurals, and specific suffixes during comparison.
- Cannot be offensive or illegal Names with abusive terms or criminal associations are blocked immediately.
- Must avoid implied government link Unless supported by a letter of non-objection from the relevant government department.
- No sensitive words without approval Words like Bank, Royal, Chartered, Insurance require authority letters.
- Check for trademark conflicts (UK IPO) Company name approval ≠ trademark clearance. Run both searches before committing.
Why You Must Check for Company Name Availability Before Registering
Avoid Rejection
Companies House will reject any formation with a name that is identical or "too like" an existing entry. A failed submission delays your launch and can cost you the government fee.
Protect Your Brand
Discovering a name conflict after investing in a logo, website, and marketing is expensive. A 30-second company names search prevents months of rework.
Secure Your Name Fast
You cannot reserve a name without incorporating. The only way to secure a ltd company name is to register it. Our same-day service locks your name in hours, not days.
How to Check Company Name Availability in the UK
Follow these five steps to verify your desired company name is available. The entire process takes under two minutes and is completely free.
Enter Your Desired Company Name
Type your proposed ltd company name into the free company names search tool above. Always include "Limited" or "Ltd" at the end.
Review Companies House Results
The tool queries the live Companies House register containing over 5 million entries. Review active and dissolved matches to check for "too-like" conflicts.
Check for Sensitive Words
Verify your name does not contain restricted words like Bank, Royal, Chartered, or Insurance that require special approval from regulatory bodies.
Verify Against UK Trademarks
Cross-check your company name against the UK Intellectual Property Office trademark database to avoid brand conflicts and potential legal disputes.
Register Your Company
Once your name clears all checks, proceed to register your limited company via our same-day formation service. Most applications are approved within 3 to 6 working hours.
Company Name Availability — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check company name availability in the UK?
Use our free company names search tool above. Enter your desired name and it instantly queries the live Companies House register — the same database used by official agents. Results show existing active and dissolved companies so you can assess whether your chosen name clears the "too-like" rule. Once clear, proceed to ltd company UK registration.
What does "check for company name availability" actually involve?
Checking for company name availability means running your proposed name through three tests: (1) the Companies House "same as" comparison against 5 million+ registered names, (2) the sensitive words list published under the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015, and (3) optionally, the UK IPO trademark database to rule out brand conflicts.
What are ltd company names and what are the rules?
Ltd company names are the official trading names for private limited companies registered at Companies House. Every valid UK ltd company name must end in "Limited" or "Ltd" (or Welsh equivalents), must not be "too like" an existing name, must not include restricted or sensitive words without approval, and must not imply a government connection or be offensive. Our company names search checks all of these automatically.
What does "Too Like" mean under UK company name rules?
A name is considered "too like" an existing name if it differs only by common words, punctuation, spacing, or generic suffixes. For example, "Plumbing London Ltd" is legally identical to "Plumbing London Group Ltd" or "Plumbing London UK Ltd". Companies House will automatically reject the duplicate. Our search highlights potential "too-like" matches so you can choose a truly distinctive name before your new ltd company registration.
Can I reserve a company name without incorporating?
No. Companies House does not permit name reservations. The only way to secure and protect a ltd company name is to actively incorporate it — either as a trading company or as a dormant shell for future use. Our same-day ltd company UK registration service can lock in your name within hours of you completing the online application.
What are sensitive words under UK ltd company names register rules?
Sensitive words are terms that imply national prestige, financial authority, or specific professional credentials. Examples include: Bank, Insurance, Trust, Charity, Royal, King, Queen, Windsor, and Chartered. To use these in your ltd company name, you must provide supporting authority letters when submitting your formation. Contact our team — we help navigate sensitive word approvals as part of our Enterprise formation packages.
How long does check company name availability UK take?
Using our real-time company names search, the check takes under 5 seconds. Our tool queries the Companies House API directly, returning results on all active, dissolved, and protected names. Once you confirm your ltd company name is available, our formation process takes as little as 3–6 working hours for same-day registrations submitted before 3 PM UK time.
Is the company name check tool free?
Yes. Our company names search tool is 100% free with no registration required. You can run unlimited searches against the live Companies House register, sensitive word list, and trademark database. When you are ready to register, explore our formation packages starting from £119.99.
What happens if my chosen company name is rejected?
If Companies House rejects your name, you must choose an alternative and resubmit. Our agents help you modify the name — for example, swapping "Group" for "Solutions" — and resubmit at no extra cost as part of our formation packages. Use our free checker to test multiple variations before committing.
Sarah from London
Just registered a company • 2m ago