Before You Register · Chapter 4
Choosing a business name that gets approved
In short
A company or LLP name gets approved when it is unique, not similar to an existing company, LLP or registered trademark, avoids restricted words, and includes a word that describes your business.
A company or LLP name gets approved when it is unique, is not similar to an existing company, LLP or registered trademark, avoids restricted words, and includes an activity word that matches your business. Check all of this before you apply.
The name is where most first applications get stuck. The Registrar of Companies checks every proposed name for a company or LLP, and rejections are common. A little homework saves weeks.
How should a company or LLP name be structured?
A company name has two parts: a distinctive word or words, and an activity word that says what you do, followed by "Private Limited" or "LLP". For example: Meridian Foods Private Limited. The activity word should match the main business in your objects.
| Entity | Name ends with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company | Private Limited | Meridian Foods Private Limited |
| One Person Company | (OPC) Private Limited | Meridian Foods (OPC) Private Limited |
| Limited Liability Partnership | LLP | Meridian Foods LLP |
The "objects" are the main business activities written in the company's Memorandum of Association. If your name says "Foods" but your objects describe software development, the Registrar will usually ask you to change one of them.
Why does the Registrar reject names?
- It is identical or too similar to an existing company, LLP or registered trademark.
- It only differs by plural/singular, spacing, punctuation or adding words like "new", "the" or "India".
- It uses words that need government approval, such as "Bank", "Insurance", "Stock Exchange", "National" or "Republic", without that approval.
- It is offensive, or suggests a link with a government body.
- The activity word does not match the business.
The detailed rules are in the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, and the LLP Rules apply similar tests. They are applied word by word, so "Meridian Food Private Limited" and "Meridian Foods Private Limited" count as the same name.
What makes a name strong as well as approvable?
- Distinctive: a coined or unusual word (like "Zentrova") is far more likely to be approved than common words like "Global", "Smart" or "Solutions".
- Easy to spell and say: customers will type it, say it on the phone and search for it.
- Not too narrow: "Mumbai Bakery" is hard to keep if you expand to Pune or start selling online nationally.
- Brand-ready: a name you can also protect as a trademark and use as a domain.
What to check before you apply
- Search existing company and LLP names on the MCA portal.
- Search the trademark registry (IP India) for the distinctive word in your class of business.
- Check that the domain name and social handles are available.
- Prepare two or three options, in order of preference.
Trademarks are registered in 45 classes of goods and services. Search the classes that cover what you sell — a clothing brand checks class 25, for instance, while a software business checks classes such as 9 and 42. Also search for similar spellings and sounds, not only the exact word.
Does an approved company name protect your brand?
Not fully. Company name approval only stops another company or LLP from registering a similar name. It does not give you trademark rights. A business that already uses a similar brand, or registers it as a trademark, can still object. Under the Companies Act, 2013, the owner of a registered trademark can apply within three years of your incorporation to have a confusingly similar company name changed. If the brand matters, consider applying for a trademark as well.
How is the name reserved, and for how long?
For a company, the name is applied for through the RUN (Reserve Unique Name) service or Part A of the SPICe+ form. For an LLP, it is RUN-LLP. Once approved, the name is reserved for a limited period — 20 days for a new company and three months for a new LLP — within which the incorporation must be filed, or the name lapses.
The government fee for a RUN application for a company is ₹1,000. If the Registrar rejects the proposed name, there is little room to fix it within the same application — usually a fresh application and fee are needed, so put your strongest, best-researched options forward first. Through Part A of SPICe+, the name and the incorporation are handled in one process.
Common naming mistakes
- Choosing a famous brand name with a small change, hoping it will pass.
- Using only generic words, which almost always clash with an existing name.
- Getting the name approved, then missing the 20-day window for a company.
- Printing letterheads, signboards or packaging before the name is approved.
Can you change the name after Registration?
Yes, but it takes filings. A company needs a special resolution of shareholders, fresh name approval and the Registrar's approval of the change, after which a new certificate of incorporation is issued. An LLP files the change with the Registrar after partners agree. Bank accounts, GST Registration, licences and contracts then all need updating — another reason to choose carefully the first time.
Key takeaways
- Distinctive word + activity word + Private Limited / LLP.
- Check MCA names and trademarks before applying.
- Avoid protected words unless you have the required approval.
- Company name approval is not a trademark — protect the brand separately if it matters.
- A company name is held for only 20 days after approval, so have documents ready first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a registered trademark as my company name?
Only if the trademark belongs to you or you have written consent from its owner. The Registrar rejects a proposed company or LLP name that is identical or too similar to a registered trademark of someone else, and the trademark owner can also object later and force a name change. Search the trademark registry on the IP India website before applying.
Can two companies have the same name in India?
No. A new company or LLP cannot be registered with a name that is identical or too similar to an existing company or LLP. Differences only in plural or singular form, spacing, punctuation, or added words like "the", "new" or "India" do not make a name different enough. Names of companies that were struck off may also remain unavailable for some time.
How long is a company or LLP name reserved after approval?
For a new company, a name approved through RUN or Part A of SPICe+ is reserved for 20 days from the date of approval, and the incorporation form must be filed within that time. For a new LLP, a name approved through RUN-LLP is reserved for three months. If incorporation is not filed within the reserved period, the name lapses and can be taken by anyone.
Which words cannot be used in a company name without approval?
Words such as Bank, Insurance, Stock Exchange, Mutual Fund, National, Republic, Federal, Board, Commission, Authority and similar terms suggest a link with the government or a regulated activity. They can be used only with approval from the relevant regulator or government body. Names that are offensive or that suggest government patronage are also rejected by the Registrar.
Should my domain name match my company name?
It is not required by law, but it helps. Customers, banks and partners find it easier to trust a business whose website, email and social media handles match its registered name. Checking that the domain name and social handles are available before applying also tells you whether someone else is already using a similar brand, which can signal a trademark conflict.
