You can choose almost any name for your LLC, as long as it’s available and complies with your state’s guidelines. However, you should avoid names that suggest your business is a government agency or that it’s similar to a large, well-established company.
You can check if your desired name is available by contacting your state’s business office. Your state may also have a list of restricted words that you cannot use.
How to Choose a Good LLC Name
A good LLC name not only helps people remember your company, but it also works to set you apart from the competition. It can be difficult to find the perfect business name that is both memorable and informative, but it’s well worth the effort.
When choosing an LLC name, it’s important to ensure that it meets your state’s naming requirements. This means that it must not be too similar to a name already on the business records at your state department and must include required identifiers, such as “limited liability company.”
Once you have your list of potential names, you should check with a domain registrar to see if any matching domain names are available. This is an important step because you will likely need a website to promote your business and establish your brand presence online. A website will allow you to reach customers in ways that a social media account cannot. It’s also a great way to gauge your audience’s interest in your products and services.
Make It Memorable
Sometimes an LLC name comes to you in a moment of inspiration. For instance, when Juan was thinking about starting his organic seed company, the name “Takes Juan to Grow One” fell on him like a lightning bolt.
A memorable LLC name can help you create a strong brand and get your business off the ground. It can also help your customers keep your business in mind when they need the kind of service you provide or the products you sell.
Keeping your LLC name memorable is especially important if you plan to expand into other states in the future. You can use a trademark checker to find out if your LLC name is available in different states. You can also reserve your LLC name with the state before you file a formal application to establish your business. This will prevent someone from snatching your LLC name before you register it. You can do a state LLC name reservation by filing a form with the Secretary of State’s office.
Keep It Short
If your business is starting out small, a long, formal legal name can get in the way of marketing and branding. Choosing a short, snappy name that’s easy to remember can help you develop brand recognition.
Many states require that the legal name of an LLC or corporation include words indicating its structure, such as “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” or “Company.” You can use your official LLC name in your business, but you might want to use your tradename, which is what clients see on your company’s checks and contracts.
The legal and tradenames can match or they can be different, but your trademark name, which is what you would use for marketing and branding, should always include the word LLC or an abbreviation of it. This ensures that people searching for your company online will find you. It also shows that your company has formed a corporate entity to protect the members from personal liability for the company’s actions.
Make Sure It’s Available
Most states have name requirements that limit the types of words you can use and require you to include the word “limited liability company” in your LLC’s legal business name. Make sure to check out our LLC naming guidelines and your state’s name database before you pick a name.
You can also check availability of a trademarked name in our trademark search tool. If your LLC will be doing a lot of business with out-of-state customers, consider trademarking its name to protect the brand name.
You should note that your LLC’s legal business name does not need to match its brand name, so you can use a DBA for the business and drop “LLC” from your logo. However, you cannot register a domain name that includes the abbreviation LLC and your DBA simultaneously. This can create a conflict of interest. To avoid this, reserve the domain name before you finalize your LLC’s legal business name.
