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How to name your LLC
Choosing Your LLC Name: Form an LLC (5/11)
Naming your LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the first step when starting an LLC. Once you have a good LLC name that is available to use, you can begin your LLC filing with the state’s office.
LLC names must meet certain legal guidelines before the state will approve them. Additionally, a good name is important for your business.
Your LLC name will last for many years and will be an important part your business’s reputation.
Here are a few quick tips for LLC names:
- Make the name easy to spell. You want to make sure people can find you when they’re looking for you.
- Make the name short. Shorter names are easier for people to remember. It also makes it easy for people to refer you to their friends.
- Make sure your name is positive. Leave people with a good feeling when they hear about your business.
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LLC Name Availability
In order to make sure your desired LLC name is available, you will need to do a search with the Secretary of State.
Our Secretary of State business search page has a link to the databases in each state. Or you can check out our name lessons.
For example, if your desired company name is “Big John’s Ski Lodge LLC“, you’ll want to search in the state database (in the state where you’re starting the LLC) for anything beginning with “Big John’s Ski”. In fact, it’s also a good idea to search “Big John” to see as many results as possible.
Checking to see if your LLC company name is available is also known as being “distinguishable“.
Your LLC name needs to be distinguishable so that it’s unique and not infringing on another business’s name rights.
This will also help your business be unique and stand out from a marketing perspective.
Tip: Don’t order any marketing materials until your LLC name is approved.
LLC Name Requirements
Your LLC name must end with the words “Limited Liability Company”, or the abbreviations: “L.L.C.” or “LLC”.
Using the abbreviation “LLC” is the most common.
For example, Joe wants to start a company with the name “Joe’s Landscaping Services”.
Since he is forming an LLC, he must add one of the “LLC” designators and use the name “Joe’s Landscaping Services, LLC”.
Using one of the LLC designators is a requirement when forming an LLC.
LLC Name Restrictions
Your LLC (Limited Liability Company) name cannot imply that it is a corporation or any other business entity.
Your LLC name cannot contain the words “Corporation” or “Incorporated”, or the abbreviations “Corp.” or “Inc.” anywhere in the name.
Let’s look at our example again.
Since Joe wants to form an LLC, he cannot call his company “Joe’s Landscaping Corporation LLC”, “Joe’s Landscaping Services Inc.”, or “Joe’s Landscaping Services Incorporated LLC”.
Restricted Words
What Restricted words exist will depend on the state where you’re starting your business structure. Some examples are bank, banking, government, police, and insurance. Certain words can’t be used at all. And other words require approval from certain state agencies.
For example, in order to use “bank” or “insurance” in your LLC will require approval from the Department of Banking or the Department of Insurance.
LLC Name Distinguishability
Your desired LLC name must also be “distinguishable” (it can’t have the same name as another business).
This means it cannot be too similar to the name of any other legal business name in the state. You can find the names of existing companies by searching the state database of business entities. This is the same thing we mentioned earlier where you’ll be checking your business name’s availability with your state department.
The state will not approve your LLC if there is an existing company with your desired name. The same applies if your LLC name is too similar to an existing company name.
Corporate Designators (Inc. / Corp. / LLC / L.L.C.)
Corporate Designators are the identifiers at the end of a business name.
For example, “Inc.” or “Corp.” (for Corporations) and “LLC” or “L.L.C.” (for a Limited Liability Company.).
Different designators do not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired name is Smith Investments, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Smith Investments, Inc.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Smith Financial Group, LLC.
Singular, Plural, and Possessive Words
Differences in singular, plural, and possessive forms of a word do not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Apple Farm, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Apple Farms, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Bob’s Apple Orchard, LLC.
“A”, “An”, or “The”
Using or not using articles such as “a”, “an” or “the” does not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Print Shop, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called The Print Shop, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Printing Solutions, LLC.
“And”, “or”, “&”
The use of conjunctions such as “and”, “or”, and the ampersand symbol (&) also does not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Night & Day, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Night and Day, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Moon & Sunshine, LLC.
Punctuation and Special Characters
The use of certain punctuation and special characters does not create distinguishability. This includes characters such as:
- Hyphens (-)
- Slashes (/ or \)
- Periods (.)
- Commas (,)
- Exclamation points (!)
- Question marks (?)
- Colons (:)
- Other special characters ($, #, %, @)
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Peter Paul & Mary Studios, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Peter-Paul-Mary Studios, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, PPM Productions, LLC.
Numbers and Names of Numbers
Using a numeral (like “1” or “2”) or the name of the number (like “one” or “two”) does not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Three Teachers Consulting, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called 3 Teachers Consulting, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, A Few Good Teachers Consulting, LLC.
Deceptively Similar
States will reject LLC names that are too similar to existing companies.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Speedy Delivery Services, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Speed Delivery Services, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, At Your Door Quick, LLC.
Words you can use in your LLC name
If you’re not sure what to name your LLC, below are some suggestions you as a business owner can use:
- Advisors
- Associates
- Capital
- Company
- Consultants
- Consulting
- Development
- Group
- Holdings
- Investments
- Management
- Management Group
- Media
- Partners
- Publishing
- Realty
- Studios
- Team
- Ventures
Searching the States’ Business Name Databases
Select a state below to read our step-by-step LLC name search guide:
Alabama LLC Name
Alaska LLC Name
Arizona LLC Name
Arkansas LLC Name
California LLC Name
Colorado LLC Name
Connecticut LLC Name
Delaware LLC Name
Florida LLC Name
Georgia LLC Name
Hawaii LLC Name
Idaho LLC Name
Illinois LLC Name
Indiana LLC Name
Iowa LLC Name
Kansas LLC Name
Kentucky LLC Name
Louisiana LLC Name
Maine LLC Name
Maryland LLC Name
Massachusetts LLC Name
Michigan LLC Name
Minnesota LLC Name
Mississippi LLC Name
Missouri LLC Name
Montana LLC Name
Nebraska LLC Name
Nevada LLC Name
New Hampshire LLC Name
New Jersey LLC Name
New Mexico LLC Name
New York LLC Name
North Carolina LLC Name
North Dakota LLC Name
Ohio LLC Name
Oklahoma LLC Name
Oregon LLC Name
Pennsylvania LLC Name
Rhode Island LLC Name
South Carolina LLC Name
South Dakota LLC Name
Tennessee LLC Name
Texas LLC Name
Utah LLC Name
Vermont LLC Name
Virginia LLC Name
Washington LLC Name
Washington DC LLC Name
West Virginia LLC Name
Wisconsin LLC Name
Wyoming LLC Name
When you search the business name database, you should search your desired LLC name in many ways to make sure you see any potential conflicts.
Every state has their own business name search database.
First, determine the best state to form your LLC.
Next, you can follow our LLC tutorials (see our how to form an LLC page), which includes a step-by-step guide on LLC name search instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions for LLC names
What are good business names?
Good LLC business names is important for your business and your brand. Having said that, your LLC name doesn’t have to be the same thing as your brand name.
You can also register a DBA (doing business as) for your LLC. This allows your LLC to do business under a name that is different than its true and legal name.
For example, you can form an LLC called “MJ’s Enterprise LLC” and then register a DBA for your LLC called “MJ’s Roofing”. In fact, your LLC can have multiple DBA names. We’ve covered this topic more in depth here: Do I need a DBA for my LLC?
Do I need “LLC” in my domain name?
No, you don’t have to put “LLC” in your domain name. You can if you want to, but it usually doesn’t look very good. Meaning you don’t need a matching domain name. However, you can include part of your company name in your domain names.
We’ve written more about this here: LLC in domain name.
Should I use a comma in my LLC name?
Using a comma your LLC name is optional. All 50 states will accept your LLC’s legal name with or without a comma.
For example, if you’d like to call your new business “JB Construction”, you can name your LLC “JB Construction LLC” or “JB Construction LLC”.
Are LLC names case sensitive?
Yes and no. When you file with the state, how your LLC name is capitalized is how it’ll appear on your official paperwork. However, after that, you can use your LLC in lower case, upper case, or in capitalized format.
Also, the IRS will default to making your LLC legal name all upper case.
Are LLC names by state?
Yes, LLC names are governed by state law. This means if you find a name that’s being used in California, you can use it in Georgia.
The only exception here is if the name has a federal trademark. Please see USPTO: Search trademark database to search for registered trademarks.
Are LLC names trademarked?
No, your LLC’s name is not automatically trademarked. However, you have name rights and protection in the state where the LLC is formed. Having said that, you don’t have national protection.
Meaning, you can’t stop someone in another state from using your LLC’s name. If you want that level of national protection, we recommend hiring an attorney to file a national trademark.
Can LLC names be changed?
Yes, you can change your LLC name with the state by filing an Amendment with the Secretary of State. Then, there are other steps to update your name after that process, like changing your LLC name with IRS and on your LLC bank account.
Because there are a lot of places to update, we recommend choosing a solid LLC name from the start. But if you change your mind later, that’s ok.
Matt Horwitz
Founder & Educator, LLC University®
Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
FAQs
LLC Name Search - How to Choose Your LLC Name? | LLCU®? ›
The short answer to the name question is: Your LLC name does not have to be your business name or match your website name for marketing purposes. But for the legal and financial aspects of doing business you should use the exact LLC name registered with your state.
How do I choose a good name for my LLC? ›- Your business needs a legal name for the formation documents.
- You can have one legal name but more than one assumed name.
- Your legal business name must be distinguishable.
- Your legal business name should include the correct required words.
The short answer to the name question is: Your LLC name does not have to be your business name or match your website name for marketing purposes. But for the legal and financial aspects of doing business you should use the exact LLC name registered with your state.
Should LLC name match business name? ›The LLC name represents your company's legal entity, while your business name is the one used to market your brand to customers. It means that your LLC and the business name don't have to match.
What are typical LLC names? ›- Shimmering Beauty.
- The Career Coach.
- Phoenix LLC.
- ExeCuteIve.
- Roll It Up.
- Joyous.
- Mentor LLC.
- Squeaky Clean.
You can give any name to your LLC as long as it complies with the guidelines of your state, but naming your LLC after yourself comes with its advantages for building a strong, personal brand for people to easily associate with your products. However, your LLC name can be separate from your business trademark.
Can two LLCs have the same name? ›It's possible for another LLC in a different state to have the same name as yours. In fact, there are many instances where multiple LLCs share the same name but are in different states, and this is totally legal! If you're set on a particular name that's already taken in your state, you may still be able to use it.
What should I avoid in an LLC name? ›Your LLC's name can't contain the words like “bank,” “trust,” “trustee,” “insurer,” “insurance company” or any other words suggesting you're in the insurance business (unless you are). You can't include things like “incorporated,” “inc.” or “corporation,” because your LLC is not a corporation.
Should I use my name as my business name? ›Using your own name maximizes the value of your personal credibility as a respected and reputable supplier in your market. Builds trust and credibility: Customers like to know there are real people behind a business who will be accountable for their products and services.
How to choose a business name? ›- Follow your state's naming guidelines.
- Don't pick a name that's too similar to a competitor's name.
- Choose a name that people can spell and pronounce.
- Make your name web-friendly.
- Be memorable but not too unique.
- Pick a name that's consistent with your brand.
- Don't limit yourself.
Should you put LLC in your logo? ›
No, you do not need to put LLC in your logo or in any of your marketing materials. There is no requirement, legal or regulatory, to put “LLC” in your logo. Besides, putting “LLC” in your logo does not provide any additional legal protection for your business and can hurt your marketing and promotion in six ways.
Can you have 2 businesses under one LLC? ›The answer is yes--it is possible and permissible to operate multiple businesses under one LLC. Many entrepreneurs who opt to do this use what is called a "Fictitious Name Statement" or a "DBA" (also known as a "Doing Business As") to operate an additional business under a different name.
Should I put LLC on my business card? ›The LLC designation should be included in all business correspondence, including your business cards, website, letterhead, and other marketing collateral. However, you don't necessarily need to have it as part of your logo.
What are some LLC examples? ›- Blackberry.
- Pepsi-Cola.
- Sony.
- Nike.
- Hertz Rent-a-Car.
- eBay.
- IBM.
LLC Name Requirements and Restrictions
This can be the full name of a limited liability company or a form of the abbreviation. Abbreviations that are allowed include "LLC," "L.L.C.," "L.C.," "LC," "Ltd," and "Co." for company. Check with your state to confirm the version you choose is allowed.
Your entity name is how the state identifies your business. Each state may have different rules about what your entity name can be and usage of company suffixes.
Why do companies put LLC in their name? ›There are two main reasons to include LLC in your business name: It tells everyone that the business is separate from you. This is important to maintaining your LLC as a “separate legal entity,” which is what protects your personal assets from your business liabilities. It builds credibility in your company.
Should I name myself CEO of my LLC? ›You aren't required to call yourself president or CEO. But the reality is that you do need a title for business and organizational purposes. Here are some guidelines to help you choose a title that's appropriate for you and your business.
Why do people put LLC after their business name? ›LLC stands for Limited Liability Company and can be used as a legal form of incorporation and tax designation. Businesses use this designation because it's a way to distinguish themselves from other companies with similar names or product offerings.
How do I make sure my name is not trademarked? ›Before you apply, you should search the USPTO's trademark database (Trademark Electronic Search System, or TESS) to see if any trademark has already been registered or applied for that is: Similar to your trademark. Used on related products or for related services, and.
Do I need a trademark for my business name? ›
If you are going to provide services or products only within that state, there is no reason to register for a trademark. If you are offering products and services in multiple states and want federal protection for the name of your business, though, you would need to register for a trademark.
Can you use the same LLC name as another business? ›It must be unique. Legally, the name of your LLC can't be the same as another business entity registered in your state or the same as a trademarked phrase. State databases check only whether the LLC name is available in your own state, but do not check whether the name is trademarked.
Should you name a business after yourself? ›Customers expect the business owner to be highly involved
If you plan to grow your business, naming it after yourself can be limiting. “The biggest con of naming a business after yourself is that people expect you to be involved,” says Grant Stanley, CEO of Bric in Omaha, Nebraska.
That's up to you. The states do not require or mandate the use of a comma between the title of your business and the corporation or LLC designation when naming your business. That said, many business owners prefer to use the comma to set apart their business name and to meet state requirements for the designation.
Can my business be named after me? ›Can I name your LLC after yourself? Yes, you can name your LLC after yourself, however, legal experts recommend to then always include the letters LLC after your name when you are referring to your business company.
What are 3 tips in choosing business name? ›Keep it simple
Don't choose a name that is too long or complicated. Remember that your business name needs to be appealing to your customers. It should sound pleasant, familiar and conjure up positive emotions. It also needs to be easy to pronounce and remember.
- Avoid hard-to-spell names. ...
- Don't pick a name that could be limiting as your business grows. ...
- Conduct a thorough Internet search. ...
- Get the .com domain name. ...
- Use a name that conveys some meaning. ...
- Conduct a trademark search.
- Acronym Brand Names.
- Invented Brand Names.
- Lexical Brand Names.
- Evocative Brand Names.
- Descriptive Brand Names.
- Founder Brand Names.
- Geographical Brand Names.
In the end, it is best to form the LLC or business entity before filing a trademark application. It is best to work with an attorney who is licensed in your state to set up your LLC. Alternatively, you can use a trusted online filing service or other DIY resource.
Why you should put everything in an LLC? ›With an LLC, only the assets owned in the name of the LLC are subject to the claims of business creditors, including lawsuits against the business. The personal assets of the LLC members cannot be claimed to satisfy business debts. For most people, this is the most important reason to form an LLC.
What not to do with a company logo? ›
Never alter the wordmark or any visual elements, and do not change the font of the wordmark or accompanying names of colleges or divisions. Never overprint something on top of the logo, and do not use the logo as a background pattern. The minimum recommended size for the standard logo is 1" in height.
Is it better to have multiple LLC or DBA? ›Having multiples DBAs will not protect the assets and income of each DBA from the other DBAs. If one of your DBAs gets sued, all other DBAs under the LLC name will be liable. For liability protection purposes, it is better to have multiple LLCs for each of your businesses.
What is it called when you own multiple businesses? ›A conglomerate is a corporation made up of several different, independent businesses. In a conglomerate, one company owns a controlling stake in smaller companies that each conduct business operations separately.
What is the umbrella LLC structure? ›An umbrella LLC is another word for a holding company. An umbrella LLC owns other LLCs that are below it, known as subsidiaries. It effectively shelters those LLCs from cross liability in the event that future litigation results in a judgment creditor trying to collect against assets of a company.
Is it better to pay myself from my LLC? ›As an LLC owner, this is also a good way to get paid because you will only have to pay self-employment taxes on the salary you have designated for yourself. This can save you about 15% on your taxes compared to if you were to just take distributions.
What type of LLC is best? ›When an LLC will be formed with multiple members, a general partnership is the preferred structure. This means that all owners take responsibility for transactions, debts, and taxes from the business. Each member can also determine when assets are sold, and he or she pays taxes on his or her business income share.
What is the most successful LLC? ›- Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, has been brewing since 1852 and brings in over $15 billion in annual revenue. ...
- Blockbuster. ...
- Westinghouse Electric Company. ...
- Amazon. ...
- Hertz. ...
- Sony. ...
- IBM. ...
- Google.
Cargill and Koch Industries secured the top two places last year, with Cargill at the top spot for 10 years in a row with $109.7 billion in revenue. Albertsons, Deloitte, and PricewaterhouseCoopers round out the top five. Uber made its first appearance on the list at No.
How do I create a unique LLC name? ›- Make it legal. The most important thing when you're choosing an LLC name is to make sure it's legal. ...
- Make it memorable. You want your LLC name to be something people can remember. ...
- Make it meaningful. ...
- Make it original. ...
- Make it distinctive. ...
- Make it domain-name ready. ...
- Make it social-media friendly.
Generally, you can use your city in your business name. Of course, for every rule, there is an exception (sometimes, more than one). You cannot imply that your business is somehow a government agency, part of law enforcement or a financial institution.
What if my business name is similar to another? ›
If you choose a name that is too similar to the name of a competing business, that business may accuse you of infringing on its trademark rights. When that happens, you may be forced to change the name of your business. You may even be ordered to pay monetary damages.
What is an example of an entity name? ›Your ENTITY NAME is the legal name of your business. For example: Acme Corp. or Wayne Enterprises, Inc. This is how you sign your contracts. It's the entity that owns your bank accounts and assets, and it's the legal “person” that has liability for your activities.
What is an example of a legal business name? ›A good example of this is Walmart. Walmart's legal business name is Wal-Mart Inc. but its trade name is just Walmart—that's the name it uses on its advertising and website, and what most people refer to it as.
What is an example of a name entity? ›Examples of named entities are first and last names, geographic locations, ages, addresses, phone numbers, companies and addresses.
Can you have multiple businesses under one LLC? ›The answer is yes--it is possible and permissible to operate multiple businesses under one LLC. Many entrepreneurs who opt to do this use what is called a "Fictitious Name Statement" or a "DBA" (also known as a "Doing Business As") to operate an additional business under a different name.
How do I name my new business? ›- Understand your business. You need a solid understanding of your business — its purpose, vision, mission and target audience. ...
- Use descriptive words. ...
- Be literal. ...
- Choose a name style. ...
- Avoid hard-to-spell names. ...
- Tell a story. ...
- Get feedback on the name. ...
- Don't be too narrow.
No, your logo (or brand) does not have to match your LLC name. Your logo (or business name) is the brand you use to market to your clients, whereas your LLC name is the legal entity name of your firm. They can match, but they do not need to match.
Can I change my business name and keep the same EIN? ›Generally, businesses need a new EIN when their ownership or structure has changed. Although changing the name of your business does not require you to obtain a new EIN, you may wish to visit the Business Name Change page to find out what actions are required if you change the name of your business.
What is a catchy business name? ›What is a catchy business name? A catchy name is something short, memorable for your target audience, and easy to pronounce. The guidelines are to keep your business name between 1-2 words. For instance, Band-Aid, Hoover, Google, and Popsicle are all business names that became everyday terms due to their catchy nature.
What business name should I use? ›A good business name should be short, and it should evoke your values and offerings. It should be unlike your competitors' names and not interfere with any registered trademarks or domain names. Brainstorming your brand values can help you decide on a great name, as can input from customers, friends and family.
Should you put LLC in your email address? ›
No, you are not legally required to put “LLC” in the domain name for your business. In fact, if you look at most websites on the internet, the vast majority do not include a corporate designator (“ending”) in their domain name. Many consider it a little “noisy”. Meaning, it's just extra, unnecessary characters.
Should I name my company after myself? ›There is someone that is going to personally oversee your needs.” If you plan to grow your business, naming it after yourself can be limiting. “The biggest con of naming a business after yourself is that people expect you to be involved,” says Grant Stanley, CEO of Bric in Omaha, Nebraska.
What words Cannot be used in an LLC name? ›Most states will not allow a business to:
Use a name that implies it is a governmental unit (such as a village, city, or borough) when it is not. Use a word that implies a company is a government entity (e.g., Federal, United States, etc.).
There are two main reasons to include LLC in your business name: It tells everyone that the business is separate from you. This is important to maintaining your LLC as a “separate legal entity,” which is what protects your personal assets from your business liabilities. It builds credibility in your company.