Rules for Naming Your Business in All 50 States

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Rules for Naming Your Business in All 50 States

Table of Contents

Rules for Naming Your LLC — An Entire State Guide

Just as naming your pet or baby can fill you with both excitement and angst, naming your business "baby" can do the same. There's so much riding on the name as the chosen name can have a substantial impact on your brand's overall success.

So, before you jump into thinking about your brand logo, pricing or promotions, you should iron out the right name.

Below, we break down all the info you need to know as you go about finding the ideal name for your business — how to brainstorm for names, understand naming rules and we even discuss scenarios where you may require multiple business names.

Incfile | Business Name Search Tool

How to Name Your Business

Naming a business might seem like a straightforward process, but there's more to it than just selecting a name you like. If you aren't the most creatively inclined, here are a few tips to get you going.

  1. Think about your brand and what message you want to convey.
  2. Brainstorm creative business name ideas using a mood board, thesaurus or rhymes.
  3. Speak to other business owners and understand how they landed on their name.
  4. Consider using a Business Name Generator.

If you are forming an LLC or any other legal structure for your startup, then there are certain state-level naming rules and regulations you should familiarize yourself with.

We look into these LLC-specific naming rules in detail next.

General Naming Rules for Your LLC

LLCs need to ensure their legal business name follows their state’s naming mandates. If the name doesn't meet these rules, your business formation paperwork can get rejected, causing extra work and frustration.

Here are the naming rules that typically apply to all LLCs across the U.S. 

  • Name must not reference or falsely suggest association to a federal or state government body/entity such as FBI, FDA, Treasurer, Police and Department of Revenue.
  • Name cannot imply a government unit (such as a village, city or borough).
  • No misuse of identifiers like “LLC” or “Incorporated” or “Corporate” when it is not one. 
  • No use of professional licensing such as Engineer, CPA or Doctor without appropriate licensing. 
  • Cannot use the word "Olympic" or any other trademark of the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
  • Business name should not imply illegal activity. 
  • Language cannot be discriminatory, obscene or promote abuse. 
  • The name can't be deceptively similar to that of another registered business or infringe on any trademark.

The "Golden Rules" of Naming a Business

There are many do’s and don'ts when it comes to thinking of a name, and we’ve compiled some of the most important to get you started. Below are our eight "golden rules" to abide by when it comes to naming your business.

  • Make it easy to pronounce and remember
  • Avoid unusual spellings
  • Make it unforgettable and unique
  • Keep it simple
  • Don't make it too descriptive
  • Avoid trends
  • Avoid abbreviations

State-By-State LLC Business Naming Guidelines 

Our 50-state naming guide includes all the information you need for naming your business. These rules are state-specific. We have covered states naming must-haves, prohibited words, name reservation costs and reservation period timeline. Select your state from the drop-down menu:

Search by State (e.g. Alabama)
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Track Status

Select your state above.

And see results over here

Location_01
Alabama
Required for LLC Name
LLC, Limited Liability Corporation - some entity identifier
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Attorney, Accountant, Bank, Banking, Banc, Doctor, Engineer, Engineering, Insurance, Trust, Savings, Olympic
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $28
Name Reservation Timeline
1 year
Cost to Register DBA
$30
Location_01
Alaska
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co."
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Accountant, Accounting, Bank, Banking, Corporate, Doctor, Incorporated, Engineer, Engineering, Nurse, Optometry
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Arizona
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “L.C.” “LLC” “LC” & lowercase variations of above
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Banc, Banco, Corporation, Credit Union, Deposit, Incorporated, Trust, Trust Company
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $45
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$30
Location_01
Arkansas
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “L.C.” “LLC” or “LC” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co."
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Dental, Dentist, Doctor, Engineer, Engineering, Nurse, Savings, Trust, Razorback(s), Arkansas Razorback(s), University
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $22.50
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$22.50
Location_01
California
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Credit Union, Trust, Trustee, Olympic, Olympiad. Name of LLC company must not have "insurer" or "insurance company."
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $10
Name Reservation Timeline
60 days
Cost to Register DBA
$26
Location_01
Colorado
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Trust, Trustee, Corporate, Incorporated, Inc., Olympic, Trust
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$10
Location_01
Connecticut
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Insurance Company, Trust Company, Olympic
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $60
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$8
Location_01
Delaware
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” An abbreviation thereof or language of like import.
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Association, Bank, Banking, Banc, College, Corporation, Club, Fund, Foundation, Society, Syndicate, Trust, Union, University
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $75
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Florida
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Attorney, University, Olympic
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $35
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
Georgia
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “L.C.” or “LC” “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” And “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
"Bank, Banc, Banker, College, Credit union, Fidelity, Insurance, Olympic, Reinsurance, Reassurance, Surety, Trust, Trustee, Indemnity, University. LLC name cannot exceed 80 characters."
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
30 days
Cost to Register DBA
$172
Location_01
Hawaii
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” "Limited" may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” "Company" may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Accountant, Financial Institution, Bank, Banker, Banking, Banc, Savings Bank, Savings and Loan, Savings Association, Financial Services Loan Company, Credit Union, Trust Company, Intrapacific Bank, International Banking Corporation, Trust, Olympic, Olympiad, Citius Altius Fortius, Insurance
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $10
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
Idaho
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “L.C.” or “LC” “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banc, Banking, Engineering, Engineer, Foundation, Fund, Institute, Society, Trust, Union
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $20
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Illinois
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” Additional Requirements: If organized to accept and execute trusts, name must contain “trust“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banking, Corporation, Corp, Fiduciary, Insurance, Limited, Limited Partnership/LP, Trust, Trustee, Underwriters
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
90 days
Cost to Register DBA
Filing fees vary from year to year and depend on the filing type
Location_01
Indiana
Required for LLC Name
"Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C." or "LLC"
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trustee, Insurance, Credit Union
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $20
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$20
Location_01
Iowa
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” Additional Requirements: If organized to accept and execute trusts, name must contain “trust“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trustee, Insurance and Credit Union
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $10
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$5
Location_01
Kansas
Required for LLC Name
"Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C." or "LLC."
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Association, Bank, Banking, Club, Foundation, Fund, Institute, Society, Syndicate, Trust, Union, University
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $30
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
Not required or permitted by state law
Location_01
Kentucky
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “LLC” or “LC” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Attorney, Bank, Benefit, Cooperative, Corporation, Incorporated, Trust, Olympic
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $15
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$20
Location_01
Louisiana
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” “LLC” or “LC”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trustee, Building, Loan, Homestead, Insurance, Casualty, Redevelopment Corporation, Electric Cooperative, Credit Union
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$75
Location_01
Maine
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” “LLC” or “LC” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“ In the case of a low-profit limited liability company, “L3C” or “l3c“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Savings, Savings Bank, Bank, Banker, Banking, Trust, Trust Company, Trust and Banking Company, Credit Union or the plural or any derivatives of these terms
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $20
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$10
Location_01
Maryland
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company," “L.L.C.," “LLC,” “L.C.” or “LC”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trustee, Insurance, Credit Union
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
30 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Massachusetts
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company," "Limited Company," “L.L.C.," “LLC,” “L.C.,” “LC," "L.L.C" or "L.C"
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Government, PX, GI, Fire, Police, State, Federal
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $30
Name Reservation Timeline
60 days
Cost to Register DBA
Cost varies by city and county and whether you are resident or non-resident of the state.
Location_01
Michigan
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company," "Limited Company," “L.L.C.," “LLC,” “L.C.,” “LC," "L.L.C" or "L.C"
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Academy, Architecture, Bank, Banking, Banc, Deposit, Insurance, Co-Op, Credit Union, Surety, Security, Trust, Trust Company
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
6 months
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Minnesota
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company" or “L.L.C."
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Attorney, Bank, Banker, Banking, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trustee, Insurance, Credit Union, University
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $55
Name Reservation Timeline
1 calendar year
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
Mississippi
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company," "Limited Company," “L.L.C.," “LLC,” “L.C.,” “LC," "L.L.C" or "L.C"
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Bankers, Banking, Corporation, Incorporated, Partnership, Limited Partnership, Savings, Safe Deposit, Trust, Trust Company, Trustee, Insurance, Credit Union
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
180 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Missouri
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited“ may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” “Company“ may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Cooperative, Bank, Insurance Company, Redevelopment
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
60 days
Cost to Register DBA
$7
Location_01
Montana
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited“ may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” “Company“ may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Insurance, Olympic, Trust
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $10
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$20
Location_01
Nebraska
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited“ may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” “Company“ may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $30
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$100
Location_01
Nevada
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited-Liability Company” “Limited Company” “Limited” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “L.C.” “LC” or “Ltd.” “Company” can be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Accounting, Accountant, Accountancy, Auditing, Auditor, Insurance, Bank, Debt Collection, Trust, Engineer, Engineered, Engineering, Professional Engineer, Registered Engineer, Licensed Engineer
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
90 days
Cost to Register DBA
$20
Location_01
New Hampshire
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,’’ “L.L.C.’’ or a similar abbreviation
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Architect, Architecture, Bank, Cooperative, College, Community Power, Credit Union, Dartmouth, Engineer, Engineering, Home Health Care, Home Care, Farmer’s Market, Forestry, Forester, University, Visiting Nurse
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $15
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
New Jersey
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited“ may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” “Company“ may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Blind, Little League, Olympic, Olympiad, Handicapped, Cemetery, Postal, Realtor, Trust, Underwriters
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $50
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
New Mexico
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited“ may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” “Company“ may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, College, University, Olympic, Trust
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $20
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
Not required at state or local level
Location_01
New York
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Academy, Acceptance, "America Espirito Sport Fraternite," Annuity, Attorney, Bank, Benefit, Blind, Board of Trade, Casualty, Chamber of Commerce, Community Renewal, Conservatory, Corporation, Citius Altius Fortius, Council, Doctor, Education, Endowment, Exchange, Fidelity, Finance, Guaranty, Handicapped, History, Historical, Incorporated, Indemnity, Insurance, Lawyer, Library, Loan, Nursery School, Mortgage, Partnership, Savings, State Police, State Trooper, Surety, Tenant Relocation, Title, Trust, Urban Development, Urban Relocation, United Nations, Union, Underwriter
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $20
Name Reservation Timeline
60 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
North Carolina
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “Ltd. Liability Co.” “Limited Liability Co.” or “Ltd. Liability Company"
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Architect, Architecture, Architectural, Bank, Banker, Banking, Certified Public Accountant, Cooperative, Co-op, Engineer, Engineering, Mutual, Trust, Insurance, Surveyor, Survey, Surveying, Wholesale
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $30
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$26
Location_01
North Dakota
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banking, Banker, Corporation, Farm, Farmer, Incorporated, Insurance, Limited Partnership, Partnership, Trust
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $10
Name Reservation Timeline
12 months
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Ohio
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company,” “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “Ltd,” “ltd.” or “Limited”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Cooperative, Coop, Co-operative, Co-op, Trust and words/phrases that are profane or considered a slur against an ethnic group, religion, gender or heredity
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $39
Name Reservation Timeline
180 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Oklahoma
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” “Limited“ may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” “Company“ may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Farming, Farm, Farmer, Fund, Insurance, Savings, Loans, Trust
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $10
Name Reservation Timeline
60 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Oregon
Required for LLC Name
Limited Liability Company or L.L.C.
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banking, Trust, Trustee or any obscene language
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $100
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
Pennsylvania
Required for LLC Name
"Company," "Limited," "Limited liability" or an abbreviation of one of those terms, or words or abbreviations
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Architect, Architecture, Bank, Banker, Banking, Bond, Cooperative, College, Credit, Engineer, Engineering, Insurance, Insurer, Indemnity, Loans, Mutual, Savings, Seminary, Surveyor, Trust, Trustee, Union, University, Public Accountant, Certified Public Accountant
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $70
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$70
Location_01
Rhode Island
Required for LLC Name
Shall end with “Limited Liability Company” or “L.L.C.” in upper or lowercase letters with or without punctuation
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Trust, Olympic
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $50
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
South Carolina
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “L.C.” or “LC” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banking, Savings, Olympic
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
Varies by county — check your County Clerk office
Location_01
South Dakota
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “L.C.” or “LC” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co."
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banking, Banker
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $25
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$10
Location_01
Tennessee
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “LLC” or “L.L.C.” Words/abbreviations of like import in another language
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Credit Union, Mortgage, Trust, Trustee. *Any business affiliated with, or sponsored by, any fraternal, veterans’, service, religious, charitable or professional organization needs to be certified in writing.
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $20
Name Reservation Timeline
4 months
Cost to Register DBA
$20
Location_01
Texas
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company” or an abbreviation thereof
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Cooperative, Insurance, Lottery, Lotto, Veteran, Legion, Spanish, Trust, Foreign, War, Disabled, War, World War, Olympia, Olympics, University
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $40
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Utah
Required for LLC Name
"Limited company," "Limited liability company," "L.C." or "L.L.C“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Agency, Association, Board, Bureau, College, Corporation, Citius Altius Fortius, Incorporated, Limited, Municipal, University, Olympics, Olympia
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $22
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$22
Location_01
Vermont
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “L.C.” or “LC” “Limited“ may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” “Company“ may be abbreviated as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banker, Banking, Insurance. Name that implies sexual conduct or defame anyone based on race, age, disability, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or national origin.
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $20
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$50
Location_01
Virginia
Required for LLC Name
“Limited liability company” “Limited company” “LLC” “LC” “L.L.C.” or “L.C.”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Architect, Architecture, Bank, Banker, Banking, Brokerage, Building, Engineer, Engineering, Indemnity, Loan, Trust, Insurance, Land Surveying, Savings
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $10
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$10
Location_01
Washington
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Liability Co.” “L.L.C.” or “LLC”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Association, Bank, Banker, Banking, Building, Cooperative, Home, Industrial, Loan, Public Benefit, Savings, Society, Trust
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $30
Name Reservation Timeline
180 days
Cost to Register DBA
$24
Location_01
Washington DC
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “Limited Company” “L.L.C.” “LLC” “L.C.” or “LC” “Limited” can be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Company” as “Co.“
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banking, Banker, Club, Credit Union, Foundation, Insurance, Insurer, Society, Syndicate, Trust, Trustee, Union
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $50
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$55
Location_01
West Virginia
Required for LLC Name
"Limited Liability Company," "Limited Company," "L.L.C.," "LLC," "L.C.," "LC," "Ltd." or "Co."
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Bank, Banking, Corporate, Engineer, Engineering, Incorporated, Insurance, Professional, 911
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $15
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$25
Location_01
Wisconsin
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Liability Co.” or ends with “L.L.C.” or “LLC”
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Attorney, Bank Insurance, Trust, University
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $15
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$15
Location_01
Wyoming
Required for LLC Name
“Limited Liability Company” “LLC” “L.L.C.” “Limited Company” “LC” “L.C.” “Ltd. Liability Company” “Ltd. Liability Co.” or “Limited Liability Co."
Word Restrictions/Requires Additional Consent
Academy, College, Edu, Educate, Education, Institute, School, College, University, Bancorp, Bank, Banker, Banking, Private Trust Company (PTC) Trust
Name Reservation & Cost
Yes, $50
Name Reservation Timeline
120 days
Cost to Register DBA
$100

Can You Have Multiple Names for a Business? 

Got the name and formally registered your business but now find it a difficult name to market? Or have you already decided to add on services to your business and your original name doesn't convey these additions?

Don't worry, here's what you can do. You can file for a fictitious business name, commonly known as a DBA “doing business as” certificate and market or rebrand the business. For example, the business name "Jon Ramm Auto Detailing" might work better as “JR Auto Works” for the DBA.

Let’s go a step further and look at another possible scenario. Suppose that your website domain name doesn’t match the DBA. The only available domain name is www.JonAutoService.com over your preference of www.JRAutoDetail.com. If you are marketing all services as Jon Ramm Auto Detailing, meaning this is the name that is consistent in all social media, customer interactions and marketing channels, then you don’t need another DBA.

However, if you start using Jon Auto Service in email campaigns, newsletters, social media interactions and marketing brochures, then you would have to file for another DBA. 

Can You Have Multiple DBAs Under One LLC?

The answer is yes — you can have multiple DBA under one LLC. Let’s assume you have a real estate business under “Robin’s Real Estate LLC” but want to start offering moving services, too. You can file for another DBA name to run “Robin Movers” under the umbrella LLC.

Filing for a DBA is a quick and affordable way to get into another line of business while keeping it under one entity. It also allows you to use a more marketable name for your business and keeps your taxes streamlined under one LLC.

Before you get into publicizing and operating Robing Movers, you’ll need to make sure the name is available and register the DBA separately with the state.

But don’t forget, a DBA doesn’t offer any legal protection. If someone sues your real estate business, the assets of the moving business will be at stake, too.

Tips on How to Not Break LLC Naming Rules 

Here’s what you can do to ensure the business name you selected via that business name generator or endless brainstorming is available, legal and easily distinguishable. 

1. Research Secretary of State Pages

This should be the starting point of your name search. Go on your Secretary of State's website (or refer to our downloadable guide) and understand the naming rules. Conduct a "name check" search to see if your chosen name is available.

2. Do a Trademark Search at USPTO

Just because a legal name is available at the state level doesn’t mean no one else in the U.S. has rights to it. The state name filing offices don’t check name databases at the federal level or cover trademark records.

Cover all your basis by running a search on United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website.

3. Work with a Lawyer or Startup Business Expert

State naming laws and guidelines can change without any prior notice. Sometimes, it’s easier and simpler to work with a lawyer or startup business expert that can guide you accurately.

The Power of a Good Business Name

A strong, memorable business name speaks volumes about a business — it can make you stand out in the crowd and also play into a customer's decision to interact with you or not.

To find the right name that is an accurate representation of your brand and also meets all the statutory requirements, you need to follow the naming process correctly and give it the time it truly deserves.

If the name game has you stumped, Incfile can help. Our Business Name Search Tool can quickly tell you if your desired business name is available. We can even reserve a name if you aren't quite ready to file your formation paperwork but have a proposed name in mind.

Try Our Free Business Name Search Tool. Check the Availability of Your Business Name.

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