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Sensitive names for UK company formations |
‘Same as’ company names or ‘too like’ company names
When deciding whether a name is 'the same as' another name, the Registrar ignores punctuation, the company's status, 'the' at the start of the name, and words like 'company (or co)', ‘and (or &) company (or co)’. For example, if the name 'Hands Limited' is already registered, then the following names would be rejected:
• Hands Public Limited Company (or PLC);
• H and S Limited (or Ltd);
• H and S Public Limited Company (or PLC);
• H & S Limited (or Ltd); or any of the above, with the addition of 'Company, Co', 'and’, ‘&’, ‘Company’ or ‘Co’.
A name that sounds the same as one already on the Index of Company Names will be accepted if the two names are spelt differently. However, although a name might be sufficiently different from an existing name to allow it to be registered, this might result in an objection and a direction from the Secretary of State to change the company name.
You should also be aware that if you adopt a name which misleads the public into believing that your business is that of another business , for example, trading as a department store under the name 'Harrods' , you may face a legal action for 'passing off' by the person whose business you have misrepresented. Registration of a name by Companies House does not mean that a company can avoid possible passing-off actions.
In addition, to avoid possible legal action for trade mark registration you should ensure the name you intend to register at Companies House is not identical or similar to an existing trade mark. Before registering a name at Companies House you are advised to check the Trade Marks Register of the UK Intellectual Property Office at www.ipo.gov.uk/types/tm/t-os/t-find.htm. You can also contact them by phone on 08459 500 505 or by email to
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You can also consult a trade mark attorney by contacting the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys on 020 8686 2052 or visit www.itma.org.uk/intro/index.htm. You can also seek advice from a solicitor.
Even if Companies House does not raise a “too like” objection to your name, this does not provide you with a defence to any subsequent trade mark infringement or passing off claim. The onus is on you to verify that the name is free for use.
Registration under the Companies Act prevents anyone from registering a name which is the same as another name on the register. However, it does not prevent a company or an unincorporated business, such as a sole trader or partnership, from using that same name as a business or trading name, although a business or trading name is still subject to possible passing off action or trade mark infringement as described above.
From 1 October 2008 the Companies Act 2006 introduces new provisions allowing any person or company to object to a company name for “opportunistic registration” if the company’s name:
• is the same as a name associated with the complainant in which he has goodwill; or
• is so similar that its use in the United Kingdom would likely to mislead by suggesting a connection between the company and the complainant.
Please note: Companies House cannot deal with any complaints about opportunistic registration. Objections and enquiries should be directed to “The Company Names Tribunal” (also known as “the Adjudicator”) which is operated and administered by the UK Intellectual Property Office. Further information is available at http://www.ipo.gov.uk/cna
When considering whether one company name is ‘too like’ an existing company name Companies House, on behalf of the Secretary of State, is only concerned with the visible appearance or sound of the two names. We do not take into account external factors such as geographic location, trading activities, share ownership or whether a company is dormant. In addition we take no account of a name or part of a name that is a registered trade mark.
Normally, if the names differ by only a few characters or minor differences they are likely to be ‘too like’, for example,
H & S Consultants Limited and H & S Consulting Limited.
Most examples of too like names also suggest a certain level of confusion but this is not the basis for directing a company to change its name. If the names differ by one or more words, especially longer descriptive words they are unlikely to be ‘too like'.
For example, an existing company, H & S Consultants Limited might justifiably complain that the registration of H & S Consultants (Cardiff) Limited is a cause of confusion. This might well be the case but the names are not ‘too like’ under the Companies Act and the Secretary of State would be unlikely to issue a direction in these circumstances. However, this does not prevent a company from taking legal action for passing off but this is outside the Companies Acts. If you are uncertain please contact Companies House.
Examples where a direction would be issued include:
• If they differ in the use of symbols such as “@”, “*”, or “+”;
• If the names differ by short words, particularly when these words are of a generic nature such as "GB", "UK", or ".com";
• If the names differ by certain slightly longer words, such as “exports” or “services”, when they have substantial or very distinctive elements in common.
Sensitive Words and Expressions
Some words are classed as sensitive by Companies House. Consequently, the Registrar will not form nor change the name of a company if the name contains one of these words. However, some words will be accepted if the company formation documents are accompanied by a letter of justification for the use of that name. Specifically, if your company name is to include any of the words "group", "holdings", or "international" (or common variations of these words) then you will need to submit a letter of justification.
For other sensitive words, the relevant regulatory board will need to be contacted. For example, to use the word "optician" or "optometrist", the Registrar of the General Optical Council would need to be contacted.
For more information, please contact us.
Please note that plurals of the words listed are also classed as sensitive.
| ABORTION | ANZAC | | ARCHITECT | ASSUROR | | ASSOCIATION | ASSURANCE | | ASSURER | AUTHORITY | | BENEVOLENT | BOARD | | BRITISH | BUILDING SOCIETY | CERTIFIED
| CHAMBER(S) OF BUSINESS
| CHAMBER(S) OF COMMERCE
| CHAMBER(S) OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
| | CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TRAINING AND ENTERPRISE |
| CHAMBER(S) OF ENTERPRISE
| CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY
CHAMBER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
| CHAMBER OF TRADE
CHAMBER(S) OF TRAINING
CHAMBER(S) OF TRAINING AND ENTERPRISE
| | CHARITABLE | CHARITY | | CHARTER | CHARTERED | | CHARTERED BUILDER | CHARTERED BUILDING | | CHARTERED SURVEYOR | CHEMIST (1) & (2) | | CHEMISTRY | CHIROPODIST | | CHIROPRACTOR | COMMONHOLD | | CONTACT LENS | CO-OPERATIVE | | COPYRIGHT | COUNCIL | | CREDIT UNION | CYNULLIAD (ASSEMBLY in Welsh) | | DENTAL | DENTAL PRACTITIONER | | DENTAL SURGEON | DENTIST | | DENTISTRY | DESIGNRIGHT | | DIETICIAN | DISPENSING OPTICIAN | | DISTRICT NURSE | DRUGGIST | FRIENDLY SOCIETY
| FUND | GENEVA CROSS
| GREAT BRITAIN
| | GROUP | GOVERMENT
| | HEALTH CENTRE | HEALTH SERVICE | HSC (HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE)
| HPSS (HEALTH AND PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES)
| | HEALTH VISITOR | HER MAJESTY | | HIS MAJESTY | HOLDING | | HOUSING CORPORATION | INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY | | INSTITUTE | INSTITUTE OF LARYNGOLOGY | | INSTITUTE OF LARYNGOLOGY & OTOLOGY | INSTITUTE OF ORTHOPAEDICS | | INSTITUTE OF OTOLOGY | INSTITUTE OF UROLOGY | | INSTITUTION | INSURANCE | | INSURER | INTERNATIONAL | | IRELAND | IRISH | | KING | LABORATORY OF THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST | | LAND CHARGES | LAND REGISTRATION | | LAND REGISTRY | MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN | | MIDWIFE | MIDWIFERY | | NATIONAL | NHS
| NATIANAL HEALTH SERVICE
| NURSE
| | NURSING | OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST | | OLYMPIAD | OLYMPIADS | | OLYMPIAN | OLYMPIANS | | OLYMPIC | OLYMPICS | | OPHTHALMIC OPTICIAN | OPTICIAN | | PARALYMPIC | PARALYMPICS | | PARALYMPIAD | PARALYMPIADS | | PARALYMPIAN | PARALYMPIANS | | PHARMACIST | PHARMACY | | PHYSIOTHERAPIST | POLICE | | POLYTECHNIC | POST OFFICE | PREGNANCY
| PRINCE | PRINCESS
QUEEN
| PROVIDENT SOCIETY
| | RADIOGRAPHER | RE-ASSURANCE | | RE-ASSURER | RED CRESCENT | | RED CROSS | RED LION AND SUN | | REGISTER | REGISTERED | | REGISTERED OPTICIAN | RE-INSURANCE | | RE-INSURER | REMEDIAL GYMNAST | | ROYAL | ROYALE | | ROYALTY | SCOTLAND | | SCOTTISH | SE (unless separated by space or punctuation) | | SHEFFIELD | SOCIETY | | SOLICITOR (Scotland only) | SPECIAL SCHOOL | | STOCK EXCHANGE | TRADE UNION | | TRAINING AND ENTERPRISE COUNCIL | TRUST - (Charitable, Educational, Artistic, Enterprise,
Family, fiancial, Investment, Pensions, Staff or Unit
Trust
| UNITED KINGDOM
| UNIVERSITY
| | VETERINARY / VETERINARY SURGEON | WALES | | WELSH | WINDSOR | |
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