When starting a new business, there are few decisions as impactful or personal as deciding on its LLC name. In business, names can be revolutionary. As former eBay and Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman famously said, “When people use your brand name as a verb, that is remarkable.”
She’s not kidding. Consumers use brand names like Band-Aid, ChapStick, and Kleenex more than these products’ common nouns. Some brand names have even become entirely new words—like “Googling” a question or “DoorDashing” a burrito.
A good name can position a business and propel it forward. Selecting a thoughtful and strategic one when starting your own business is crucial. Read on for legal requirements, stylistic suggestions, and marketing guidelines to follow when devising, registering, or modifying LLC names.
LLC name requirements
- Uniqueness
- An LLC designator
- No restricted words
- No offensive nature or implication of illegality
- No trademark infringement
A limited liability company is a legal business structure that impacts its taxes, liabilities, operations, and long-term operations. If you plan to start an LLC, you must register it under a legal business name. Each state has different rules for naming LLCs, but most follow these themes:
Uniqueness
A unique name is good for market positioning, and it’s a legal requirement. States require LLC names to be distinct from other local businesses. Some states prohibit technically unique names if they’re similar to existing business names, a rule intended to foster public transparency and limit corporate disputes.
To know if your name is unique and eligible to register, run these three checks:
- First, conduct a business name search within your state of incorporation to ensure uniqueness. Your state agency’s website likely offers a search tool connected to a local business name database to verify no other company in the state uses the same name.
- Then, search the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. Even though a name is available in your state, another company could own a trademark for it. If you use a trademarked name, even by accident, you’d be forced to pay for a new name, logo design, online presence, and more.
- Lastly, run a domain and social media check. Check if the “.com” domain name is available for your business or if it is for sale. Check if your name is available as a username on the social media platforms you plan to use.
An LLC designator
All 50 states require LLC business names to include a specific designator reflecting their legal status as an LLC. Depending on local rules, designators can include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” and “Limited Liability Company.” Designation helps potential customers and other businesses understand your company’s liability protections, which dictate contract and dispute frameworks. Another LLC advantage is the designator signals credibility and professionalism.
No restricted words
Certain words are entirely off limits; others you can use only if you, your partners, or your business hold specific licenses or certifications. Generally, these prohibitions and restrictions concern:
- Government connections. Names cannot imply a relationship within government agencies (e.g., “Bureau,” “Federal,” “County,” or “Commission”).
- Regulated industries. Your business name can’t suggest involvement in particular regulated industries unless it holds the necessary license (e.g., “School,” “Bank,” or “Insurance company”).
- Business structure. An LLC name can’t misrepresent your business entity type (e.g., “Corporation”).
- Regulated professions. You can’t imply that you or your business partners practice a profession unless you are appropriately licensed (e.g., “Attorneys at law,” “Architects,” or “Family doctor”).
No offensive nature or implication of illegality
Most states prohibit LLC names (or business names of any kind) from containing profanities, racial slurs, suggestions of illegal activity, or language considered offensive to a reasonable person.
For example, imagine a computer repair business choosing a tongue-in-cheek name that suggests lightning-fast services: “Computer Hacking Pros LLC” might work paired with a savvy positioning statement (“We’ve hacked the computer-repair market!”), but it’s unlikely to pass muster with a state business registrar.
It’s also a good idea to consider the acronym or potential abbreviations. Imagine a friend plans to open a business called “Oliver’s Outdoor Playground Supplies.” You’d probably encourage them to rethink it.
No trademark infringement
States require LLC names to be unique compared to currently active businesses within their boundaries. They don’t enforce claims against LLCs or existing businesses registered outside the state; disputes like that fall under federal trademark law.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers trademark protections for businesses and provides a digital search tool for brands to search existing trademarks proactively. Look up your chosen name and similar terms before registering it with the state to avoid lawsuits from infringing on an existing trademark.
Tips for choosing an LLC name
- Make it sensible
- Ensure it’s memorable
- Consider your domain name
- Check social media availability
- Adopt creative frameworks
All the rules are important, but they’re not the only resources to guide you. The following best practices help your LLC meet its full brand recognition potential and maybe even become the next Google, Uber, or Kleenex.
Make it sensible
Like any business name, a good LLC name communicates what you’re selling. Conduct a market analysis to understand what gives your business a competitive edge—how it meets your target audience’s unique needs, interests, and design sensibilities.
Seek relevant words or phrases (or create a new word entirely) to create the perfect LLC name that reflects your business’s unique selling proposition and offerings.
Ensure it’s memorable
Be sensible when naming your business, but not to the point of forgetability. Literal and indistinct names like A+ Electronics LLC or Consolidated Inventory Solutions LLC are kind of dull.
Memorable LLC names are usually concise, evoking emotion, imagery, or sensory experience. They might include idioms, portmanteaus (combined words), rhymes, puns, alliteration, or local relevance.
For example, “Everlane” suggests classic, enduring quality, while “Snapchat” conjures quick communication.
Consider your domain name
The most desired domain name format is “YourLLCName.com.” If that’s unavailable or out of your budget, you can try alternative top-level domain extensions like .net or .biz. If you can’t find a domain to match your LLC name, consider naming your business something else.
Your domain name affects visibility on search engines, and unique LLC names with multiple words score higher on search engine results pages, or SERPs. If your company name is a single word—particularly a common one—it may negatively affect your SEO. Learn to improve your ranking in this guide to SEO-friendly domain names.
Check social media availability
Choose a name for your business that allows uniformity across social media platforms. Check the platforms you intend to use to see if your desired handle is available.
Choose something as close as possible to your domain and entity name. If you can’t achieve relative uniformity, you’ll have to get creative. For a company called Good Denim LLC, this might be something like @WeAreGoodDenim or @GoodDenimHQ.
Adopt creative frameworks
A name that is fun to say is easier to remember and share. Consider using literary or phonetic devices to give your LLC name a creative edge. Some ways to achieve this are:
- Alliteration. Use a series of words that begin with the same consonant sound. For example, PayPal and Coca-Cola both have a pleasing cadence.
- Rhyme. Names that rhyme are catchy and easy to recall, like StubHub and Fitbit.
- Onomatopoeia. Words that imitate a sound or experience also connect with customers. For example, Zoom elicits a feeling of fast movement.
💡Tip: Stuck on thinking through a good name? Use Shopify’s AI business name generator to brainstorm fresh ideas. Enter a few keywords related to your business and instantly receive hundreds of potential LLC names.
Business entity name vs. DBA vs. trademark vs. domain
A business name has four different layers, each serving a different purpose. Knowing the role of each will help you protect your company name in the long run.
| Entity name | DBA | Trademark | Domain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Official, legal business name. | An alias or trade name. | Brand identifier (name, logo, slogan). | Your website address. |
| Protection | State-level name exclusivity and liability shield. | None | National protection in your industry | Secures your web address only. |
| When to use | When forming your business. | To use a different public-facing name. | To protect your brand from competitors. | To claim your online presence. |
Business entity name
First, there is the official name of your business registered with the state. This is your LLC name.
An LLC is a formal business structure that provides its owners with limited liability protection, shielding them from personal responsibility for the company’s debts. Once registered, other businesses in your state cannot use the same exact name.
DBA (Doing Business as)
A “doing business as” (DBA) name—also known as a fictitious, assumed, or trade name—is an allowable alias. Register for a DBA name if you want to publicly operate your LLC or S corp under a different name—or even just a name that doesn’t include “LLC.”
Let’s say you’ve chosen a generic LLC name like “AAA Building,” and you think your marketing will be more effective if the business were called something like “The Construction Brothers.” This is a good case for a DBA name.
Trademark
A trademark protects your brand identity at the federal level. It’s any word, phrase, or logo that identifies your product or service. Trademarks prevent competitors from using a name that sounds or looks like yours, as it would trick customers into thinking they’re buying from you.
Domain
A domain name is your company’s web address. Buying a domain name doesn’t give any legal protection, but it’s an important part of your brand’s online presence. Secure one that matches or is very close to your public-facing business name or DBA so customers can easily find you online.
Some business owners even buy domain names similar to their LLC to cover more ground. Or to prevent competitors from buying them. For example, if you opened Carter’s HVAC Services LLC, you might choose cartershvac.com as your main domain. But, you might also purchase variations such as carterhvac.com, cartersheating.com, and cartersac.com. You’d have one site, but all the iterations would redirect traffic to the main cartershvac.com homepage.
How to reserve an LLC name
If you’re not ready to register an LLC name but you have an idea for one, you can reserve it. You’d file a name reservation with your state’s business agency and pay a small fee. The fee varies by state, ranging from $10 to $75.
After they approve your name reservation, the state locks that name for your use for a set period. Again, this depends on the state in which you’re filing, but the length usually lasts between 30 and 120 days. Check the specific guidelines on your state’s Secretary of State website.
Multi-state naming rules (foreign qualification)
If your company is expanding into multiple states, your LLC name must align with each state’s rules. You’ll go through a process called “foreign qualification”, which authorizes you to do business in the new state.
Your name has to be distinguishable from other businesses already on file with the state. As you’ve seen so far, each state has different criteria for what’s considered “distinguishable”. For example, Colorado notes that certain terms and abbreviations can make a name distinguishable, while Rhode Island does not.
If your LLC’s legal name is already in use, you can file a DBA. Say your company name is Summit Cleaners LLC from Oregon, and you’re planning to expand into Washington. However, another Summit Cleaners is already registered there. After you foreign qualify, you can register under the assumed name “Summit Cleaners of WA”, which keeps your original legal entity name intact.
When to consider trademarking the name of your LLC
Trademarking an LLC name protects its uniqueness beyond the securities offered by your state of incorporation. Consider trademarking your LLC name with the USPTO for these reasons:
- Brand protection. If your name is a cornerstone of your brand identity and you want to prevent businesses outside your state from using it, then trademark it.
- Competitive advantage. Consider a trademark if new competitors are entering the market with similar names or slogans.
- Business expansion. Plan to expand beyond your local market? Start with a US trademark. Afterward, you can use the Madrid Protocol for international trademark registration.
You can use the USPTO’s trademark search tool to check if your LLC name is available.
200 LLC name ideas
As a thought starter, here are 200 LLC business name ideas that adhere to the rules and tips in this article, all created using Shopify’s AI Business Name Generator:
- Skyward Ascent Ltd.
- Eventfull LLC
- Quantum Innovations Limited Company
- Pinnacle Performance LLC
- Visionary Ventures Ltd.
- Stone Masonry LLC
- Catalyst Consultants Limited Company
- FreshField Ltd.
- Gaze LLC
- Sunrise Yoga Limited Company
- Mountain Majesty Ltd.
- Nest Realty LLC
- Beacon Advisors LLC
- Drift Motors Limited Liability Company
- Island Adventures Ltd.
- Peak Cleaning LLC
- GatsbyGlamour Limited Company
- Summit Limited Company
- Trail Landscaping Ltd.
- Blaze Fireworks LLC
- Crest Jewelers Limited Liability Company
- Dawn Bakery Ltd.
- Terra Firma Holdings Ltd.
- Momentum Assets Limited Liability Company
- SweetBake Limited Company
- Edge Landscaping LLC
- HarmoHomes Limited Liability Company
- Flame Hot Sauce Limited Company
- Grove Orchard Ltd.
- EnlightenmentEnergy Ltd.
- VineValley Limited Liability Company
- Horizon Music LLC
- Isle Coaching Limited Liability Company
- Journey Travel Ltd.
- DesignDare Ltd.
- Epic Eateries LLC
- Key Fitness LLC
- Light Photography Limited Company
- Meadow Ltd.
- Nook Childcare LLC
- Oasis Ltd.
- VictorianValues LLC
- Path Art Supplies Ltd.
- Code Craft Ltd.
- Ridge Solar Limited Company
- Stream Aquariums Ltd.
- Tides Seafood LLC
- Unity Limited Liability Company
- TrailBlazer Ltd.
- Voyage Cruises Ltd.
- Wave Health Foods LLC
- Expanse Landscaping Limited Company
- Better Conduct Business Ltd.
- Iconic Ltd.
- KeystoneKraft Limited Company
- Zenith Climbing Gear LLC
- Apex Jewelers Limited Liability Company
- Bloom Florist Ltd.
- Twain Travels LLC
- Serene Bottled Water Ltd.
- RadiantRentals LLC
- Rainbrella LLC
- NannyNet Limited Liability Company
- Gourmet Glow Ltd.
- Wilde Ideas Ltd.
- Revolutionary Rise LLC
- Infinity Bridge Ltd.
- Dreamcatcher Ltd.
- Silver Lining Limited Liability Company
- BlockchainBounty LLC
- Pixel Frontier Ltd.
- Data Alchemy LLC
- Hashtag Dynamo Limited Company
- Riot LLC
- Outlaw Marketing Ltd.
- Peak Innovations LLC
- Blue Ridge Artistry LLC
- Greenlight Solutions LLC
- Zenith Builders LLC
- Echo Point Legal Documents LLC
- Silverline Dynamics LLC
- Orchard Gate Properties LLC
- Crimson Edge Consulting LLC
- SkyHigh Networks LLC
- Golden Horizon Enterprises LLC
- Aurora Insights LLC
- Business Law Buds LLC
- Crystal Clear Media LLC
- Deep Dive Analytics LLC
- Emerald Estates LLC
- Flame Point Services LLC
- GlobeTrotter Travel LLC
- HarborView Advisors LLC
- Infinity Solutions LLC
- Jade Forest Technologies LLC
- Kite Runner Ventures LLC
- Luminous Path Wellness LLC
- Mystic River Productions LLC
- Noble Quest Realty LLC
- Opal Bridge LLC
- Pinecrest Holdings LLC
- Quantum Leap Labs, a Limited Liability Company
- Riverside Capital LLC
- Starlight Entertainment LLC
- Traverse Digital LLC
- VistaView Strategies LLC
- Willow Creek Designs LLC
- Xenon Technologies LLC
- Yellowstone Services LLC
- Zephyr Innovations LLC
- Alpha Crest Consulting LLC
- Beta Wave Media LLC
- Cedar Grove Investments LLC
- Dragonfly Dynamics LLC
- Eclipse Enterprises LLC
- Falcon Ridge Capital LLC
- Granite Peak Systems LLC
- Horizon Reach LLC
- Ivory Tower Education LLC
- Jupiter Holdings LLC
- Kingsway Group, a Limited Liability Company
- Lakeside Ventures LLC
- Midnight Sun Studios LLC
- North Star Development LLC
- Oasis Energy Solutions LLC
- Elevated Experiences LLC
- Venture Beyond Limits Ltd.
- Synergy Works Agency Ltd.
- Apex Consulting Group Ltd.
- Inspired Innovations LLC
- Luminate LLC
- Nexify LLC
- Limitless Group LLC
- AuGusto Systems LLC
- Brio Insights LLC
- Vivid Innovations Group LLC
- Folio Group, a Limited Liability Company
- Crafted Essentials LLC
- Flux Home Solutions LLC
- Inspiro LLC
- InnoDrive LLC
- Fusion Network Solutions LLC
- Glimmer Group LLC
- Essentia LLC
- Summit Consulting Group LLC
- Mentorix LLC
- Innovo LLC
- Printology LLC
- Dynamic Impact Partners Ltd.
- Horizon Growth Partners Ltd.
- NestledIn LLC
- Glimpse Consulting Ltd.
- Sway Marketing Solutions LLC
- Unity Development Group LLC
- Elysian Designs LLC
- Craftify LLC
- Snack Attack Co. Ltd.
- Vigor Group Ltd.
- BiteBox LLC
- Vista Cove LLC
- Design Excellence Group LLC
- Thrive Fitness Studio LLC
- Wellness Warriors LLC
- Biteful LLC
- Holistic Brand Solutions Ltd.
- Media Horizon Group, Limited Liability Company
- Brand Growth Consultants Ltd.
- Buzzify LLC
- Scenescape LLC
- NextGen Financial Services Ltd.
- The Book Loft LLC
- Pages and Prints LLC
- Wags and Whiskers Kitchen Ltd.
- Chow Down Pet Foods Ltd.
- Catalyst Consultants LLC
- Furlicious LLC
- Modern Home Essentials LLC
- Luxe Comforts LLC
- Timber & Textiles LLC
- Vantage Consulting Services LLC
- Revelry Group Ltd.
- Memorable Moments Co. LLC
- Noble Ventures Ltd.
- Refined Aesthetics LLC
- Prairie Wind Farms LLC
- Civitas Group, a Limited Liability Company
- Skyline Consulting LLC
- Nest Realty Solutions LLC
- Dwell Realty Collective, a Limited Liability Company
- PrintPulse LLC
- Frosted Footwear LLC
- Classic Curiosities LLC
- The Vintage Vault LLC
- Herb & Bloom LLC
- The Succulent Spot Ltd.
- Sprig LLC
- Green Thumb Group, a Limited Liability Company
- Tastique LLC
- Harvest Table Catering LLC
- Heritage LLC
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LLC names FAQ
What is a good name for an LLC?
A good business name for an LLC is concise, memorable, and communicates your company’s values and function. It allows for relatively uniform use across branded websites and social media accounts.
How do you come up with a catchy LLC name?
There are many devices for making memorable brand names, including idioms, combined words, rhyme schemes, puns, alliteration, and local relevance. You can also use an online business name generator like Shopify’s AI Business Name Generator to develop a catchy LLC name.
How do you change an LLC name?
The procedure depends on your state of incorporation, but you can often change your LLC name by filing an amendment to your LLC formation documents with the state office.
What do you do if an LLC name is taken?
If your desired LLC name is taken in your state of incorporation, you must develop an alternative or incorporate your LLC in a state where the name is still available. Incorporating in another state could cause problems if you intend to trademark your LLC name nationally or expand beyond your local market.
Can I reserve an LLC name?
Yes, you can reserve an LLC name in one or multiple states for a limited time. It’s useful if you’ve chosen a business name but are not ready to finish the official formation process.
