Your company name is more than a label. It is the first impression customers get of your business, a searchable asset, and a legal requirement when you form a limited company, limited liability partnership (LLP) or limited partnership (LP) in the UK. If you want to protect your company name UK, you need to balance creativity with the rules set by Companies House and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO).

Women founders often build businesses around personal expertise, community ties, or a clear social purpose. A name that captures that story can help you stand out in a crowded market. Before you settle on a name, spend time on research. A strong name should communicate what you do, be easy to remember, and leave room for growth. This guide walks you through the current rules, fees, and identity checks that apply in 2026.

Start with the legal rules

Companies House will reject a name that breaks its naming rules. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which is being implemented through 2025 and 2026, the registrar has stronger powers to query and reject names that could mislead the public or facilitate fraud. The key restrictions are:

• You cannot suggest a connection with government or local authorities unless you have permission.
• You cannot use offensive words or phrases.
• You must seek approval for sensitive words or expressions that imply a specific status or activity, such as “British”, “Institute”, “Tribunal”, “Royal”, “Chartered” or “University”.
• The name must not be the same as, or too similar to, an existing company name on the Companies House register.

You can check availability using the free Companies House name availability checker. Even if a name is available at Companies House, it may still infringe an existing trademark, so a separate trademark search is essential.

Find a name that reflects your brand

Start by thinking about your target customers, your values and your unique selling point. The best names are distinctive, easy to pronounce and spell, and work well online. Consider how the name will look on a website, social media and marketing materials.

If you are struggling for inspiration, try these proven approaches:

Mash-ups and invented words. Creating a new word can make your brand memorable and easier to own as a domain name and social media handle. Examples include Stemettes and Flickr.

Mythology and literature. Names rooted in myths and legends can carry rich meaning. Examples include Oracle, Hermes and Argos.

Location. Many businesses use a place name to build local identity, from professional services to cafés. Wider examples include Cisco (short for San Francisco) and Patagonia.

Values. A name that reflects what you stand for can communicate your purpose quickly. Examples include Notonthehighstreet and Thrive.

Your own name. Using your name can signal personal accountability and quality, especially in professional services, fashion and family businesses. Examples include Laura Ashley, Ben & Jerry’s and Lloyd’s Bank.

Metaphor. A metaphor can create a strong mental image. Starling Bank, for example, chose its name because starlings are sociable, adaptable and work together, qualities the bank wanted to reflect.

For context on the wider landscape for women-led ventures, see our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page.

Protect your company name UK with a trademark

Registering a company at Companies House stops another business from registering the exact same company name, but it does not give you full trademark protection. To protect your brand name properly, you should:

• Search the UK IPO trademark database to check the name is not already trademarked in your sector.
• Apply for a UK trademark through the UK IPO. As of 2026, the standard online fee is £170 for one class of goods or services, plus £50 for each additional class (UK IPO, 2026).
• Consider whether you also need to protect your domain name and social media handles to prevent others from trading on your reputation.

Remember that you do not have to trade under your registered company name. You can use one or more trading names for different parts of your business, and you can apply for trademark protection for those trading names separately.

Register your company and verify your identity

Once you have chosen and checked your name, you can register your company. Most people register online through Companies House. As of 2026, the online fee is £50 and applications are usually processed within 24 hours. Postal applications cost £71 and take around eight to ten days (Companies House, 2026).

Before you register, you will need:

• A registered office address in the UK.
• At least one director.
• At least one shareholder.
• A memorandum of association, which is the agreement between shareholders to form the company.
• A statement of capital, which sets out the shares and shareholder rights.
• Articles of association, which are the rules for running the company.

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, all new directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must now complete identity verification with Companies House (Companies House, 2026). This can be done directly through Companies House or via an authorised corporate service provider. If you are unsure what this means for you, read our guide to Companies House identity verification.

After incorporation, you must register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within three months of starting to trade. If you are deciding whether a limited company is the right structure, our plain English guide to limited companies explains the basics.

Follow these practical action steps

1. Brainstorm names that are distinctive, easy to spell, and available as a domain and social media handle.
2. Check your shortlist on the Companies House name availability checker.
3. Search the UK IPO trademark database to avoid infringing an existing mark.
4. Decide whether to apply for a UK trademark. Budget £170 for one class and £50 for each additional class (UK IPO, 2026).
5. Gather your registered office address, director details, shareholder information, and identity verification documents.
6. Register your company online for £50, or by post for £71 (Companies House, 2026).
7. Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within three months of starting to trade.

Your company name is likely to be with you for years, so take the time to test it with potential customers, check how it looks in writing and say it out loud. When it is officially registered, make sure you celebrate the milestone. Launching a business is a significant achievement, and taking the right steps to protect your company name UK is the foundation for building a brand that lasts.