Choose the right name for your business

People operating as sole traders or in general partnerships can trade under their own names, or choose a different business name.

Rules on sole trader, partnership and limited partnership names

If you decide to use a business name, it must not:

• be offensive
• include the terms public limited company (plc), limited (ltd), limited liability partnership (LLP)
• contain prescribed or sensitive words and expressions, unless you have obtained permission to use them - see use of sensitive words and expressions in business names

If you register a limited partnership you must include either 'Limited Partnership' or 'LP' at the end of your business name.

For more information, see: 

• rules for naming your business
• naming your business as a sole trader
• naming your partnership
• name your limited company

Check if another business is using your preferred business name

Before using your chosen name, check that it isn't already being used.

If a sole trader at the other end of the country is using it, there may not be a problem. However, if another local business, company or national firm is using it, you should choose a different name. Follow the steps below:

• Check local phone books, business directories and the internet.
• Make sure your proposed name - or something similar - hasn't been registered by a company.
• Make sure the name isn't too similar to a word or expression that has been registered as a trade mark.
• Search for an available company name and trade mark.