Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting your journey, one thing is for sure – choosing the right name for your venture is a crucial step. In the business world, the United States has its own set of rules and regulations when it comes to naming your company.
In this article, we'll dive into the details of business name rules in the USA that you absolutely need to know.
Business Name Rules for All U.S. States
Choosing the perfect name for your limited liability company is an essential step on the path to success, and understanding the state-specific rules is key.
Let's delve into the specifics to ensure your business not only starts off on the right foot but also complies with regulations. All U.S. business names must:
1. Provide legal structure transparency
"LLC," "Incorporated," and "Corporate" – these terms have a certain ring to them, but don't misuse them! Your name must accurately reflect its legal business structure. No pretending to be an LLC if you're not one. It's all about transparency in the world of entrepreneurship.
2. Stay away from municipal connections
While cities, villages, and boroughs have their charm, your business name should not imply a direct link to any government unit. Let your business shine independently without unintentionally claiming a municipal connection.
3. Avoid false government connections
Your business name should steer clear of any references or false suggestions of association with federal or state government entities such as the FBI, FDA, Treasurer, Police, or Department of Revenue.
4. Abstain from misleading professional titles and credentials
While using professional titles like Engineer, CPA, or Doctor may sound prestigious, it comes with a catch. If you haven't earned the appropriate licensing, steer clear of these titles. It's not just about the name; it's about maintaining the integrity of your business and professional standards.
5. Not imply illicit activity
Entrepreneurship is an adventure, but there's no room for shady dealings. Your business name should not, under any circumstances, imply illegal activities. Keep it clean, legal, and operate on the right side of the law.
6. Not use any discriminatory language
The business world is diverse, and your name should reflect that. Avoid discriminatory, obscene, or abusive language. Let your business be a beacon of inclusivity, welcoming everyone without any negative connotations.
7. Follow trademark constraints
Dreaming of an Olympic-sized success? Well, don't dream too big! Using the word "Olympic" or any other trademark of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a strict no-go. Aim for a gold medal name without stepping on any trademark toes.
8. Be original
Your name can't be deceptively similar to another registered business or infringe on any trademark. Chart your own course, and make sure your business stands out in the vast landscape of competition.
U.S. States That Have Additional Naming Rules
Staying informed about the rules and regulations in your state is crucial as they may undergo changes at any time. Currently, all states are required to follow the general regulations mentioned above, but specific states have additional terms, introducing extra requirements you must adhere to.
Refer to the list below to check if your state is included and to understand the extra guidelines you need to follow:
Alaska
In addition to the rules above, your Alaska LLC may not contain the following words:
- City
- Borough
- Village
- Or, any word that implies your LLC is a municipality of any sort. You may use the name of the village, borough, or city as part of the name.
Delaware
Delaware opens its arms to the use of foreign words, allowing their inclusion in your LLC name. However, you'll need to provide an English translation during the filing process.
Florida
Sunshine State entrepreneurs, take note! Including the following terms in your LLC name requires additional paperwork or professional licensing:
- Bank
- Credit Union
- Architect
- Doctor
- Engineer, etc.
Georgia
Georgia has an extensive list of prohibited or restricted words requiring additional paperwork and/or explicit approval, including:
- Assurance
- Bank
- Banc
- Banque
- Banker
- Banking Company
- Banking House
- Bancorp
- Bankruptcy
- College
- Credit Union
- Fidelity
- Indemnity
- Insurance
- Reinsurance
- Reassurance
- Savings & Loan
- Surety
- Trust
- Trust Company
- University
Hawaii
Creating an LLC name in Hawaii? Every letter must hail from the English alphabet. Plus, you're allowed to use a name that isn't easily distinguishable, but only if you have obtained written permission or a court order allowing its use.
Illinois
If your LLC name includes terms like:
- Bank
- Bankers
- Banking
- Insurance
- Surety
- Underwriters
You'll need certification in the respective profession, along with additional paperwork.
Iowa
In Iowa, a distinctive and original name is the norm, but under specific circumstances, you might use a name similar to another business with written permission from the entity's owner.
However, Iowa adds an extra layer to this process. In the event of approval, the previous name holder needs to initiate the process of changing their old name to ensure a clear distinction from yours.
Additionally, there's an option to seek a court ruling affirming your exclusive right to use the name, offering an added layer of protection for your business identity.
Kansas
Kansas offers a degree of flexibility, allowing the use of names similar to other businesses with the owner's written permission. Additionally, your LLC name may contain specific words and abbreviations related to associations, clubs, and more.
These are the words it can contain:
- Association
- Club
- Company
- Foundation
- Fund
- LimitedSociety
- Syndicate
- Trust
- Union
Kentucky
Kentucky insists on a distinctive, original name but, in some cases, permits the use of names similar to other businesses with written permission from the entity's owner.
Louisiana
Louisiana-bound entrepreneurs, be aware! Your LLC name must not include "Doing Business As" or imply an affiliation with any administrative agency of a parish or the federal government.
On the bright side, you may be allowed to use a name that's similar to another business with their written consent.
Maine
Creating an LLC name in Maine? Strive for originality, but under certain circumstances, you can use a name similar to another business with the owner's written permission.
Maryland
In Maryland, originality is key for your LLC name. While similar names are generally discouraged, exceptions exist with written permission from the entity's owner.
Nevada
In Nevada, your LLC's name must be distinguishable from others, and the following terms require additional approvals:
- Accounting
- Accountant
- Accountancy
- Auditing
- Auditor
- Bank
- Engineer
- Engineering
- Engineered
- Licensed Engineer
- Professional Engineer
- Registered Engineer
- Trust
New Hampshire
New Hampshire welcomes a diverse range of words in your LLC name, including:
- Association
- Club
- Company
- Foundation
- Fund
- Institute
- Limited
- Society
- Syndicate
- Trust
- Union
New Jersey
New Jersey prohibits the use of these words in the name of your LLC:
- Blind
- Cemetery
- D.C.
- District of Columbia
- Funeral Homes
- Handicapped
- Little League
- Metropolitan
- Olympia
- Olympic
- Postal
- Realtor
- Trust
- Underwriters
- Urban Renewal
New York
Your New York LLC must not include any of these restricted words:
- Academy
- Acceptance
- "America Espirito Sport Fraternite"
- Annuity
- Arboretum
- Assurance
- Attorney
- Bank
- Benefit
- Blind
- Board of Trade
- Casualty
- Chamber of Commerce
- "Citius Altius Fortius"
- College
- Community Renewal
- Conservatory
- Corporation
- Cooperative
- Cooperation
- Council
- Doctor
- Education
- Elementary
- Endowment
- Exchange
- Fidelity
- Finance
- Guaranty
- Handicapped
- Historical
- Historical Society
- History
- Incorporated
- Indemnity
- Industrial Organization
- Institute
- Insurance
- Investment
- Kindergarten
- Labor
- Lawyer
- Library
- Loan
- Mortgage
- Museum
- Nursery School
- Olympiad
- Olympic
- Pan-American
- Paralympiad
- Paralympic
- Partnership
- Prekindergarten
- Preschool
- Redevelopment
- Savings
- School
- Secondary
- Surety
- Tenant Relocation
- Title
- Trust
- Underwriter
- Union
- United Nations
- University
- Urban Development
- Urban Relocation
North Carolina
In North Carolina, using these specific terms in your business name will require special authorization and additional paperwork:
- Accountant
- Accountancy
- Architect
- Architecture
- Architectural
- Auditor
- Auditing
- Auditor
- Banker
- Banking
- Certified Public Accountant
- Cooperative
- Engineer
- Engineering
- Engineered
- Licensed Engineer
- Mutual
- Professional Engineer
- Registered Engineer
- Survey
- Surveyor
- Surveying
- Trust
North Dakota
Under certain circumstances, North Dakota allows using a name similar to another business's with written permission from the entity's owner.
Pennsylvania
If you plan to use any names associated with institutions, (e.g., banks and credit unions) or words associated with qualified professions like doctors, engineers, attorneys or architects, it will require additional paperwork.
Additionally, there are prohibited words that require additional limitations on their use, including:
- Annuity
- Apothecary
- Architect
- Architecture
- Assurance
- Beneficial
- Bond
- Bank
- Banking
- Banker
- Casualty
- Certified Public Accountant
- College
- Drugs
- Druggist
- Drug Shop
- Drug Store
- Electricity
- Endowment
- Engineer
- Engineering
- Fidelity
- Fraternal
- Gas Utilities
- Guaranty
- Homeopathic
- Homeopathy
- Indemnity
- Insurance
- Insurer
- Medicines
- Medicine Store
- Mutual
- Pharmaceutical
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy
- Public Accountant
- Reassurance
- Reinsurance
- Seminary
- Surety
- Surveyor
- Surveying
- Title
- Trust
- University
South Dakota
South Dakota permits the use of another company's name under specific conditions, including mergers, reorganizations, or asset acquisitions.
Utah
Your Utah LLC name may not contain the following words or phrases without the written consent of the U.S. Olympic Committee:
- Olympic
- Olympiad
- Citius Altius Fortius
Additionally, using words like:
- College
- Institute
- University
Requires written consent from the Division of Consumer Protection.
How Can Indy Help?
Securing your business name is an exciting first step as a business owner, but the road to success involves more than just a name. That's where Indy comes in!
Here's how Indy grows your business:
- Invoices: Generate polished invoices with ease, track payment statuses, send automated follow-ups, and get paid faster with Indy's robust invoice software.
- Proposals: Craft compelling project proposals effortlessly and win more clients.
- Contracts: Get ready-made contracts that protect your business and build trust with clients. Make signing easy with our digital signatures.
- Tasks: Manage projects with to-do lists and Kanban boards. Plus, organize your tasks within their own project workspaces.
- Client Portals: Collaborate with clients in a centralized communication hub where you can chat in real-time, share files, and keep everyone on the same page every step of the way.
- Time Tracker: Automatically track and log the time spent on each project to make billing easier.
- Files: Upload, store, and share documents with clients and get feedback and approval.
- Forms: Indy has questionnaires, intake forms, project briefs, and feedback forms to help you get the information you need from clients to nail your projects and grow your business.
- Calendar: Schedule meetings and get a daily, weekly, and monthly view of everything that's due or overdue. Indy's Calendar integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar to keep everything in the same place.
Indy has everything you need to manage your business under one roof. Get started today for free!
A Quick Recap
Choosing the perfect name for your business entity can be as thrilling as it is challenging. However, with the right knowledge of business name rules in the USA, you'll be equipped to navigate the naming maze and set your venture up for success.
Remember, uniqueness is your best friend in the business naming game. Before falling head over heels for a name, conduct a thorough search to ensure it's not already taken. Be cautious with restricted and prohibited terms, steering clear of anything that could land you in legal hot water.
That being said, a catchy business name isn't the only thing you need to run a business. You also need business proposals, contracts, invoicing, to-do lists, client portals, and calendars, which is why Indy does it all. Get started today for free!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it crucial to choose a legal business name for your company in the USA?
Selecting a legal business name is vital for compliance with state-specific regulations and safeguarding against potential legal issues. It ensures transparency in your company's legal structure, avoiding misrepresentation. Adhering to naming rules not only establishes authenticity but also protects your business from potential legal issues down the road.
This meticulous process involves thorough checks with the appropriate government agency, conducting a trademark search, and consulting the trademark office. This ensures that your chosen business name is not only unique but also free from existing trademark claims or business names, providing a solid foundation for your entrepreneurial journey.
What are the key considerations for choosing a business name according to general rules in the USA?
Choosing a business name goes beyond legalities; it's about creating an identity that resonates with potential customers. Your business name must transparently reflect its legal structure, avoiding misleading terms like "LLC" if not applicable. It should steer clear of municipal connections, false government associations, and illegal or discriminatory implications, ensuring a positive image for potential customers.
Additionally, originality is crucial to avoid confusion among potential customers and similarities with existing businesses. Before finalizing your desired business name, it's essential to conduct thorough research to ensure it's not already in use, preventing potential trademark issues and solidifying a unique presence in the eyes of your potential customers.
How do state-specific rules in the USA impact the choice of a business name?
While all states follow general regulations, specific states have additional naming requirements. For instance, Alaska restricts certain words in LLC names, Delaware allows foreign words with English translations, and Georgia requires approval for specific terms. Entrepreneurs should be aware of their state's unique guidelines and seek approval from the appropriate government agency for terms like "Insurance" or "Bank."
What specific considerations should a business owner keep in mind when choosing a company name for an insurance company in the USA?
Selecting a company name for an insurance company involves additional considerations. In addition to following general naming rules, business owners must adhere to regulations specific to the insurance industry. This may include obtaining approval from the appropriate government agency for terms like "Insurance" and ensuring that the chosen name reflects the professionalism and integrity expected in the insurance sector. Indy can assist in navigating these complexities and managing the entire process efficiently.
