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How to name your LLC
Choosing Your LLC Name: Form an LLC (5/11)
Naming your LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the first step when starting an LLC. Once you have a good LLC name that is available to use, you can begin your LLC filing with the state’s office.
LLC names must meet certain legal guidelines before the state will approve them. Additionally, a good name is important for your business.
Your LLC name will last for many years and will be an important part your business’s reputation.
Here are a few quick tips for LLC names:
- Make the name easy to spell. You want to make sure people can find you when they’re looking for you.
- Make the name short. Shorter names are easier for people to remember. It also makes it easy for people to refer you to their friends.
- Make sure your name is positive. Leave people with a good feeling when they hear about your business.
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LLC Name Availability
In order to make sure your desired LLC name is available, you will need to do a search with the Secretary of State.
Our Secretary of State business search page has a link to the databases in each state. Or you can check out our name lessons.
For example, if your desired company name is “Big John’s Ski Lodge LLC“, you’ll want to search in the state database (in the state where you’re starting the LLC) for anything beginning with “Big John’s Ski”. In fact, it’s also a good idea to search “Big John” to see as many results as possible.
Checking to see if your LLC company name is available is also known as being “distinguishable“.
Your LLC name needs to be distinguishable so that it’s unique and not infringing on another business’s name rights.
This will also help your business be unique and stand out from a marketing perspective.
Tip: Don’t order any marketing materials until your LLC name is approved.
LLC Name Requirements
Your LLC name must end with the words “Limited Liability Company”, or the abbreviations: “L.L.C.” or “LLC”.
Using the abbreviation “LLC” is the most common.
For example, Joe wants to start a company with the name “Joe’s Landscaping Services”.
Since he is forming an LLC, he must add one of the “LLC” designators and use the name “Joe’s Landscaping Services, LLC”.
Using one of the LLC designators is a requirement when forming an LLC.
LLC Name Restrictions
Your LLC (Limited Liability Company) name cannot imply that it is a corporation or any other business entity.
Your LLC name cannot contain the words “Corporation” or “Incorporated”, or the abbreviations “Corp.” or “Inc.” anywhere in the name.
Let’s look at our example again.
Since Joe wants to form an LLC, he cannot call his company “Joe’s Landscaping Corporation LLC”, “Joe’s Landscaping Services Inc.”, or “Joe’s Landscaping Services Incorporated LLC”.
Restricted Words
What Restricted words exist will depend on the state where you’re starting your business structure. Some examples are bank, banking, government, police, and insurance. Certain words can’t be used at all. And other words require approval from certain state agencies.
For example, in order to use “bank” or “insurance” in your LLC will require approval from the Department of Banking or the Department of Insurance.
LLC Name Distinguishability
Your desired LLC name must also be “distinguishable” (it can’t have the same name as another business).
This means it cannot be too similar to the name of any other legal business name in the state. You can find the names of existing companies by searching the state database of business entities. This is the same thing we mentioned earlier where you’ll be checking your business name’s availability with your state department.
The state will not approve your LLC if there is an existing company with your desired name. The same applies if your LLC name is too similar to an existing company name.
Corporate Designators (Inc. / Corp. / LLC / L.L.C.)
Corporate Designators are the identifiers at the end of a business name.
For example, “Inc.” or “Corp.” (for Corporations) and “LLC” or “L.L.C.” (for a Limited Liability Company.).
Different designators do not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired name is Smith Investments, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Smith Investments, Inc.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Smith Financial Group, LLC.
Singular, Plural, and Possessive Words
Differences in singular, plural, and possessive forms of a word do not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Apple Farm, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Apple Farms, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Bob’s Apple Orchard, LLC.
“A”, “An”, or “The”
Using or not using articles such as “a”, “an” or “the” does not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Print Shop, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called The Print Shop, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Printing Solutions, LLC.
“And”, “or”, “&”
The use of conjunctions such as “and”, “or”, and the ampersand symbol (&) also does not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Night & Day, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Night and Day, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, Moon & Sunshine, LLC.
Punctuation and Special Characters
The use of certain punctuation and special characters does not create distinguishability. This includes characters such as:
- Hyphens (-)
- Slashes (/ or \)
- Periods (.)
- Commas (,)
- Exclamation points (!)
- Question marks (?)
- Colons (:)
- Other special characters ($, #, %, @)
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Peter Paul & Mary Studios, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Peter-Paul-Mary Studios, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, PPM Productions, LLC.
Numbers and Names of Numbers
Using a numeral (like “1” or “2”) or the name of the number (like “one” or “two”) does not create distinguishability.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Three Teachers Consulting, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called 3 Teachers Consulting, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, A Few Good Teachers Consulting, LLC.
Deceptively Similar
States will reject LLC names that are too similar to existing companies.
Let’s say your desired LLC name is Speedy Delivery Services, LLC.
But, during your search of the database, you find an existing company called Speed Delivery Services, LLC.
In this example, your desired LLC name is not available.
You will need to use an alternative LLC name. For example, At Your Door Quick, LLC.
Words you can use in your LLC name
If you’re not sure what to name your LLC, below are some suggestions you as a business owner can use:
- Advisors
- Associates
- Capital
- Company
- Consultants
- Consulting
- Development
- Group
- Holdings
- Investments
- Management
- Management Group
- Media
- Partners
- Publishing
- Realty
- Studios
- Team
- Ventures
Searching the States’ Business Name Databases
Select a state below to read our step-by-step LLC name search guide:
Alabama LLC Name
Alaska LLC Name
Arizona LLC Name
Arkansas LLC Name
California LLC Name
Colorado LLC Name
Connecticut LLC Name
Delaware LLC Name
Florida LLC Name
Georgia LLC Name
Hawaii LLC Name
Idaho LLC Name
Illinois LLC Name
Indiana LLC Name
Iowa LLC Name
Kansas LLC Name
Kentucky LLC Name
Louisiana LLC Name
Maine LLC Name
Maryland LLC Name
Massachusetts LLC Name
Michigan LLC Name
Minnesota LLC Name
Mississippi LLC Name
Missouri LLC Name
Montana LLC Name
Nebraska LLC Name
Nevada LLC Name
New Hampshire LLC Name
New Jersey LLC Name
New Mexico LLC Name
New York LLC Name
North Carolina LLC Name
North Dakota LLC Name
Ohio LLC Name
Oklahoma LLC Name
Oregon LLC Name
Pennsylvania LLC Name
Rhode Island LLC Name
South Carolina LLC Name
South Dakota LLC Name
Tennessee LLC Name
Texas LLC Name
Utah LLC Name
Vermont LLC Name
Virginia LLC Name
Washington LLC Name
Washington DC LLC Name
West Virginia LLC Name
Wisconsin LLC Name
Wyoming LLC Name
When you search the business name database, you should search your desired LLC name in many ways to make sure you see any potential conflicts.
Every state has their own business name search database.
First, determine the best state to form your LLC.
Next, you can follow our LLC tutorials (see our how to form an LLC page), which includes a step-by-step guide on LLC name search instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions for LLC names
What are good business names?
Good LLC business names is important for your business and your brand. Having said that, your LLC name doesn’t have to be the same thing as your brand name.
You can also register a DBA (doing business as) for your LLC. This allows your LLC to do business under a name that is different than its true and legal name.
For example, you can form an LLC called “MJ’s Enterprise LLC” and then register a DBA for your LLC called “MJ’s Roofing”. In fact, your LLC can have multiple DBA names. We’ve covered this topic more in depth here: Do I need a DBA for my LLC?
Do I need “LLC” in my domain name?
No, you don’t have to put “LLC” in your domain name. You can if you want to, but it usually doesn’t look very good. Meaning you don’t need a matching domain name. However, you can include part of your company name in your domain names.
We’ve written more about this here: LLC in domain name.
Should I use a comma in my LLC name?
Using a comma your LLC name is optional. All 50 states will accept your LLC’s legal name with or without a comma.
For example, if you’d like to call your new business “JB Construction”, you can name your LLC “JB Construction LLC” or “JB Construction LLC”.
Are LLC names case sensitive?
Yes and no. When you file with the state, how your LLC name is capitalized is how it’ll appear on your official paperwork. However, after that, you can use your LLC in lower case, upper case, or in capitalized format.
Also, the IRS will default to making your LLC legal name all upper case.
Are LLC names by state?
Yes, LLC names are governed by state law. This means if you find a name that’s being used in California, you can use it in Georgia.
The only exception here is if the name has a federal trademark. Please see USPTO: Search trademark database to search for registered trademarks.
Are LLC names trademarked?
No, your LLC’s name is not automatically trademarked. However, you have name rights and protection in the state where the LLC is formed. Having said that, you don’t have national protection.
Meaning, you can’t stop someone in another state from using your LLC’s name. If you want that level of national protection, we recommend hiring a business attorney to file a national trademark.
Can LLC names be changed?
Yes, you can change your LLC name with the state by filing an Amendment with the Secretary of State. Then, there are other steps to update your name after that process, like changing your LLC name with IRS and on your LLC bank account.
Because there are a lot of places to update, we recommend choosing a solid LLC name from the start. But if you change your mind later, that’s ok.
Matt Horwitz
Founder & Educator, LLC University®
Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
