Before you incorporate your company you will need to choose a name. The name you choose must not be identical or the ‘same as’ another name appearing on the index of company names, even if you are already using the name as a sole trader or partnership.

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The characters and punctuation that can be used in a company’s name are specified in regulations.  While accents may not be included in a company’s registered name, this does not prevent their being included in the company’s stationery.

 

Common cases when Companies House will not register a company in a name if:

» its use would constitute an offence or it is offensive;

» the name suggests a connection with Her Majesty’s Government or a devolved       administration or a local authority or certain specified public authorities

» it includes a sensitive word or expression unless certain tests are satisfied and        you provide a statement of support by the appropriate government department or    other official body;

» it includes characters, signs, symbols and punctuation which are not permitted`

» it is identical to another name appearing on the index of company names or            differs from another name in a trivial  way

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What does ‘same as’ mean?

A name is the ‘same as’ another name appearing on the index of company names if it is either identical to an existing name or would be deemed to be essentially the same because the name differs only by minor elements which the law requires us to disregard when comparing the two names. For example, Companies House would disregard plurals or certain types of punctuation marks when comparing names.

 

Company house will treat certain words and expressions as if they were the same, for example:
“and” and “&”,
“plus” and “+”,
“1” and “one”,
“6” and “six”,
“€” and “euro”,
“rdquo; and “dollar”,
“%” and “percent”,
“@” and “at”…

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Another examples of ‘same as’ names: 

Hands Limited’ is already registered,

Companies House would reject the following applications:

Hand-S Limited or Ltd;
H and S Public Limited Company (or PLC);
H & S Services Limited (or Ltd);
@H & S Limited (or Ltd);
Hands: Limited (or Ltd);
# H & S Limited (or Ltd).

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Similarly, if ‘Catering Limited’ is already a registered company, the following applications would be reject unless the application is for a company in the same group as “Catering Limited” and Catering Limited has given its consent:

Catering UK Limited (or Ltd);
Catering.co.uk Limited (or Ltd);
Catering International Limited (or Ltd)
Catering Company (Services) Limited (or Ltd)

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Names which need approval

You will need the Secretary of State’s prior approval if your chosen name:

» suggests a connection with Her Majesty’s Government, a devolved                          administration or a local authority or a specified public authority

» a sensitive word or expression

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