You know what’s super exciting but also kind of nerve-wracking? Coming up with the perfect name for your business! Trust me, I’ve been there. Today, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to check if a business name is taken. Think of this as your friendly guide to avoiding that “back to the drawing board” moment (and potentially some pretty messy legal headaches down the road).<\/p>\n
Launch your business in minutes with GoDaddy Airo\u2122<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Before you start falling in love with that perfect business name, here are several essential steps to verify it\u2019s actually available for you to use.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with the easiest step: fire up your favorite search engine and see what pops up. Type your desired business name into Google and Bing. While you\u2019re searching, check social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, too. Even if a name isn\u2019t officially registered somewhere, an established social media presence could signal trademark rights.<\/p>\n Think about how customers will find you online. Having a matching domain name<\/a> is crucial for your business\u2019s online presence. Use the domain search tool below to check if your desired web address is available:<\/p>\n If the domain you want is already owned, there is still a possibility\u00a0 of availability of a business name you want. GoDaddy offers a Domain Broker Service<\/a> that could help you nail down \u201cunavailable\u201d domains.<\/p>\n This is where things get serious. You\u2019ll want to make sure your business name doesn\u2019t infringe on any existing trademarks. Take time to understand the different types of trademark symbols<\/a> and what they mean for your business name choice. And, search for business name trademarks on The United States Patent and Trademark Office<\/a> website.<\/p>\n Each state maintains its own database of registered business names. Head over to your state\u2019s Secretary of State website, or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website<\/a> and search their business entity database for LLC name availability.<\/p>\n This step is crucial if you\u2019re planning to form an LLC or corporation. (Read our guide about the pros and cons of forming an LLC<\/a>.)<\/p>\n It may also be a good idea to check trade associations and industry-specific directories relevant to your field. Sometimes businesses are listed in these specialized databases, but might not show up in general searches.<\/p>\n These searches may feel like overkill, but it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to availability of a business name.<\/p>\n I remember when I was naming a company back in 2007 there were so many variations of the name I wanted that were already taken. And in 2025, there\u2019s even more competition for business names.<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re starting local, you may want to think ahead to the future in your search for business names.<\/p>\n If you plan to expand internationally or sell online, you\u2019ll want to check if your business name is available in other countries where you might do business in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n Of course, at this point, it might be a good idea to work with a trademark attorney who\u2019s a lot more skilled in that department. In my research, it was a little difficult to figure out how to check if a business name is taken in another country.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s discuss why you can\u2019t skip this step in your business journey\u2014trust me, a little research now can save you major headaches later!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the deal: legally, you can\u2019t use a business name that\u2019s too similar to an existing one in your state. It\u2019s not just about being creative, it\u2019s about following the rules. You don\u2019t want anyone to claim your business is confusing or misleading people into thinking you\u2019re a different company.<\/p>\n Each state has its own requirements, and you\u2019ll need to make sure your chosen name meets them all before you can register your business. Chatting with your local SCORE office<\/a> could be beneficial here.<\/p>\n Nobody wants to end up in hot water over their business name. Copyright infringement is serious business, and it can cost you big time.\u00a0<\/p>\n If another company thinks your name is too similar to theirs, they could sue you for trademark\/copyright infringement. That means potentially paying damages and definitely having to rebrand\u2014talk about expensive and time-consuming!<\/p>\n Want to stand out in your industry? A unique business name helps you do just that. Plus, when you\u2019re setting up your online presence, you\u2019ll want to do a domain name search<\/a> for one that matches your business name.<\/p>\n Having consistency between your business name and web address makes it easier for customers to find you and helps build your brand recognition.<\/p>\n So you\u2019ve done your research and \u2013 bummer \u2013 someone else got to your perfect business name first. Don\u2019t panic! There are several scenarios you might be dealing with, and each has different options for moving forward.<\/p>\n Maybe you\u2019ve discovered a company that registered this business name years ago, or perhaps someone else\u2019s brand is just a bit too similar to your idea. Or here\u2019s a tricky one \u2013 no one has officially registered the name, but they\u2019re already using it on social media and have claimed the domain name.<\/p>\n In any of these cases, you\u2019ve got some choices to make. You could:<\/p>\n You shouldn\u2019t try to use the name anyway, that\u2019s just asking for trouble.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Even if the other business isn\u2019t officially registered anywhere, they might have common law trademark rights if they\u2019ve been using the name. This is especially true if they\u2019re using the name to bring in revenue.<\/p>\n The good news is your business name is just one piece of your brand identity. Sometimes what feels like a setback can actually push you toward finding a brand name<\/a> that more clearly represents your business vision. It could lead you to create a word that didn\u2019t previously exist; think Xerox or Kleenex.<\/p>\n Still have questions about how to check if a business name is taken? I get it. The search for business names is a lot to take in!\u00a0<\/p>\n So, I\u2019ve rounded up the most common questions I see from entrepreneurs just like you who are working on naming their businesses.<\/p>\n The search process varies depending on where you plan to do business. While your state\u2019s business name might be available, it\u2019s important to check if it\u2019s taken in other states where you might expand. Start with your local Secretary of State\u2019s website, then expand your search to include federal trademark databases and other states where you plan to operate.\u00a0<\/p>\n You might also wonder \u201cwhat if my business name is taken in another state?\u201d If you\u2019re really dead-set on that name, in this case, I\u2019d strongly suggest seeking legal counsel before proceeding with it. It may not be worth the legal hassle!<\/p>\n And, at the risk of being a broken record, don\u2019t forget to check social media platforms and domain name availability too!<\/p>\n Yes! Most states offer free business name searches through their Secretary of State websites. You can also use basic search engines and social media platforms at no cost. While some premium search tools exist, you can do quite a bit of initial research without spending a dime.<\/p>\n Two business name checkers you could consider for free are LLC.org<\/a> and Northwest Registered Agent<\/a>. But there are many others online as well.<\/p>\nHow to check business name availability<\/h2>\n
Do a quick internet search<\/h3>\n
Search registered domains<\/h3>\n
Check trademarks<\/h3>\n
Check an LLC Registry<\/h3>\n
Review industry-specific directories<\/h3>\n
Consider international markets<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhy you need to do a business name check<\/h2>\n
US and state law requirement<\/h3>\n
Avoid legal issues<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDistinguish from competitors<\/h3>\n
What to do if the business name you want is already taken<\/h2>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Where do I check if a business name is taken?<\/h3>\n
Can I check if a business name is available for free?<\/h3>\n
Can you have the same name as another business?<\/h3>\n