Check your preferred company name against the Companies House register before you apply to incorporate.
Search for any UK company by name or number. Confirm it is active, review its filing history, or research its ownership.
Search any director's full appointment history across active, dissolved, and struck-off companies.
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NAME EVALUATION
The similar names list surfaces names most likely to cause rejection at registration, even when your exact name is available.
Two tests apply to every application. The "same as" test strips punctuation, common words, and company suffixes, then compares the core words. The "too like" test goes further. It evaluates phonetic similarity and potential for customer confusion.
Similarity triggers include: abbreviations that sound identical, different spellings of the same word, number substitutions (4 for "for"), reordered core words, and letter substitutions that produce the same sound.
A rejected application delays your registration and costs you the filing fee. When in doubt, choose a more distinctive name.
Available Name Result
"DemoName Ventures Ltd" is not registered
No company on the UK register currently holds this name
Similar Registered Names to Review
Demo Company Ltd
No 12345678
Demo Company Limited
No 12345678
Demonade Ltd
No 12345678
Restricted Words
Without the approval letter, Companies House automatically rejects your application.
| Category | Examples | Who Approves |
|---|---|---|
| Royal and government | King, Queen, Royal, British, National | Cabinet Office |
| Financial regulated | Bank, Insurance, Assurance | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Professional terms | Architect, Pharmacy, Solicitor | Relevant professional body |
| Status indicators | Institute, Academy, Foundation, Trust | Varies by word |
An approval process takes 2 to 4 weeks. Plan your registration timelines accordingly and include the written approval with your Companies House application.
Modify the name by adding an industry qualifier, location, or initials. Modifications work best when they add genuine meaning. Companies House still applies the similarity test to modified names.
A name previously used by a dissolved company is available to register. Check whether the similarity rules apply to your version of the name, then verify through the UK Intellectual Property Office that no trademark was registered against it.
Where the existing company gives written consent, or where both companies form part of the same corporate group, Companies House waives the "same as" rule.
Three Options When the Name is Taken
Beyond the Register
The YCF company check tool searches only the Companies House register. A name free on the register may still be protected by a trademark. A business that registered a trading name as a trademark before dissolving retains that trademark after dissolution.
UK trademark register
Search at gov.uk/search-for-trademark. Check exact name and phonetic variations. Review both registered and pending applications.
Domain availability
Check .co.uk and .com before committing. Mismatched names between company registration, website, and social media create ongoing brand confusion.
Social handles
Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X. Consistent handles across all platforms strengthen brand recognition from day one.
No. Companies House does not operate a name reservation system. The only way to secure a name is to incorporate. If preserving the name is your sole priority, a basic formation package covering only the Companies House requirements costs £2.48 plus the £100 statutory fee.
Trademark owners have the right to pursue legal action requiring you to change your registered name and seek damages for any period of infringement. Companies House registration does not override trademark rights. You may also face an injunction preventing trade under the name while the dispute is resolved. Search gov.uk/search-for-trademark before committing to any name.
Companies House processes applications in the order it receives them. Simultaneous submissions are rare, but where they occur, the earlier timestamp takes priority. The rejected applicant loses the filing fee and must resubmit under a different name. Submit through WebFiling to record your timestamp automatically and avoid postal delays.