How to Register a Business Name

How to Register a Business Name

You’ve got the idea. You’ve got the plan. Maybe you’ve even got the logo scribbled on a napkin. Now all you need is to make it official — and that starts with registering your business name. Whether you're a sole trader, setting up a limited company, or launching your next big thing from your kitchen table, registering your business name is a key step toward going legit.

What Does “Registering a Business Name” Actually Mean?

Registering a business name means telling the government — and the world — what you’ll be trading as. It’s how you legally tie a name to your business and get it recognised. But it’s not as simple as just picking something catchy and putting it on a website. Depending on your setup, it also involves registering with HMRC or Companies House, and making sure no one else is already using your brilliant idea.

In the UK, the way you register your name depends on your business structure. Sole traders and partnerships don’t have to register a business name, but they still need to let HMRC know what they’re doing and ensure the name isn’t misleading or too similar to an existing trademark. Limited companies, on the other hand, must register their business name officially with Companies House — and it has to be unique.

How Does the Process Work?

If you’re setting up as a sole trader, you can use your own name or choose a trading name. You don’t need to register it as a separate legal entity, but you do need to let HMRC know you’re self-employed. You can use a trading name on your invoices, website, or signage, but you must include your actual name and legal status on official documents.

If you’re going the limited company route, you’ll need to register your business name when you incorporate with Companies House. This means checking the name is available, not too similar to another company, and doesn’t include any restricted words like “Bank” or “Royal” unless you’ve got very special permission. The registration process can be done online in under an hour, and you’ll get a certificate of incorporation once it’s official.

For partnerships, it’s similar to sole traders — you can trade under a shared name, but you still need to register with HMRC. If you want to be a limited liability partnership (LLP), you'll need to go through Companies House.

Understanding Business Names vs. Trading Names

There’s a difference between your legal business name and your trading name. Your legal name is what’s on the official paperwork — for limited companies, that’s what appears on the Companies House register. A trading name is what you use publicly, which can be different.

For example, if your legal name is “Robert’s Roofing Solutions Ltd,” you could trade as “QuickFix Roofs.” That’s perfectly fine, as long as you don’t use someone else’s trademark or break the rules on misleading names. Just be sure to keep your legal name visible where needed, like on contracts and invoices.

Possible Advantages

Registering your business name helps protect your brand. It stops others from using the same name (if you’re a limited company), makes you look professional, and helps build trust with clients. It also means you can open a business bank account, sign contracts under your business name, and get VAT registered if you need to.

A registered name also gives you a clear identity. That might sound fluffy, but in practice, it matters. It’s easier to promote, easier for customers to remember, and gives you a stronger foundation if you want to grow, hire people, or apply for funding.

Possible Disadvantages

There aren’t many downsides to registering a name, but it’s worth being aware of the commitment. Once you’ve registered, you’re locked into that identity — changing it later means re-registering, rebranding, and explaining things to your customers. You also take on more responsibility, especially with a limited company, where you’ll have to file annual accounts, submit confirmation statements, and follow the rules set by Companies House.

There’s also the risk of picking a name that sounds clever now but ages badly — or doesn’t translate well if you go international. So it’s worth taking a bit of time to get it right before you hit "register".

In Summary

Registering a business name in the UK is a straightforward but important part of setting up your business. Whether you’re a one-person side hustle or building the next big brand, getting your name legally in place gives you credibility, protection, and a solid start. Choose wisely, check availability, register through the proper channels — and just like that, you’re no longer a dreamer, you’re a registered business owner.

Checking If Your Business Name Is Available

Before you fall in love with a name, check that it’s available. You can search the Companies House register to see if a limited company is already using it. Even if you're not going limited, it’s worth doing — you don’t want to clash with an existing business, confuse customers, or risk a legal headache.

Also check the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) to see if the name is trademarked. Just because a company hasn’t registered it at Companies House doesn’t mean someone else isn’t using it as a protected brand.

Bonus tip: check domain name availability and social media handles while you're at it. You don’t want your business name to be “BigCakeCo” if someone else already owns bigcake.co.uk and @BigCakeCo on Instagram.

Do You Need to Trademark Your Business Name?

Registering a company name at Companies House doesn’t give you trademark rights. If you want to legally protect your brand name, logo, or slogan from being copied, you need to file a trademark with the UKIPO. That gives you exclusive use and legal recourse if someone else tries to piggyback on your brand’s success.

Trading Under a Different Name

Even if you register a limited company, you can still trade under a different name. This gives you flexibility to build a public-facing brand that’s more memorable or marketable than your registered name. Just make sure your trading name is clearly linked to your legal name on important documents (invoices, contracts, terms and conditions).

Display Requirements

By law, you need to display your registered business name on key documents and communications. That includes invoices, emails, your website, and physical signage (if you have a business premises). You must also include your company registration number and registered office address on correspondence if you’re a limited company.

Domain Name Squatters Are a Real Thing

If your business name is available, grab the domain quickly. There are people who trawl new company registrations and buy up matching web domains, then try to sell them back to you for silly money. Buying your domain at the same time you register your name helps you avoid getting stung.