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Sensitive Names
Can I
choose any company name I like?
Yes, as long
as it is legal. There are some names that are
'sensitive'
and
may not be used.
The main
legal requirements are:
- It must
end with "Limited", and it cannot contain the
word "limited" anywhere else in the name.
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Examples:
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WXYZ
Technology
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WXYZ Technology
Limited (but Limited will be
added automatically)
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- It must
not be a criminal offence to use the
name.
- It must
not be the same as another company's name.
Companies House ignores spaces, punctuation, the
type of company, the endings "Company" and "and
Company", and abbreviations. It also treats
"&" the same as "and".
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Examples:
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Marks and Spencer
Ltd.
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Mark, Sand,
Spencer plc.
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Marks &
Spencer Company plc.
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Marks &
Spencer & Co. plc.
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Mark Spencer
Consulting Ltd. but check first
as M&S may object and force
you to change the name
later
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- It must
not be offensive.
- It cannot
contain a number of sensitive words or expressions, unless you obtain
special permission. If you want to use one of
these words, we recommend that you initially
form your company with a different name, and try
to change it later.
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Examples:
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British Widget
Company Ltd.
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Widget Makers
Insurance Co. Ltd.
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Widgets
International Limited
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The Fine Widget
Company (UK) Limited
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Please note that even if your company is formed,
you may be ordered to change the name later if it
is "too like" an existing company's name. We
recommend that you check a number of combinations
to see if there is a company with a similar
name.
Please note
that if you do not check the company name and the
name you request is rejected by Companies House
this will slow the process down, stop it being
fully automated and you will incur a surcharge of
£10 (inclusive of VAT) to change the
name.
The following is a list of
"sensitive words and expressions". You may not be
able to use them in your company name, or you may
have to get permission to use them. We recommend
you choose a company name without any of these
words. If necessary, you can try to change your
company name later.
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Abortion
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Anzac
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Apothecary
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Architect
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Association
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Assurance
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Assurer
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Authority
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Benevolent
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Board
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British
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Building
Society
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Chamber(s)
of Business
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Chamber(s)
of Commerce
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Chamber(s)
of Commerce and Industry
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Chamber(s)
of Trade
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Chamber(s)
of Trade and Industry
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Chamber(s)
of Training
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Chamber(s)
of Training and Enterprise
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Charitable
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Charity
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Charter
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Chartered
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Chemist
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Chemistry
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Chiropodist
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Contact
Lens
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Co-operative
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Council
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Credit
Union
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Dental
|
Dental
Practitioner
|
Dental
Surgeon
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Dentist
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Dentistry
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Dietician
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Dispensing
Optician
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District
Nurse
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Drug
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Druggist
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Duke
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England
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English
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Enrolled
Optician
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European
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Federation
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Foundation
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Friendly
society
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Fund
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Geneva
Cross
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Great
Britain
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Group
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Health
Centre
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Health
Service
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Health
Visitor
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His/Her
Majesty
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Holding
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Industrial
& provident society
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Institute
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Institute
of Laryngology
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Institute
of Orthopaedics
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Institute
of Otology
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Institute
of Urology
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Institution
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Insurance
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Insurer
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International
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Ireland
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Irish
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King
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Medical
Laboratory
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Midwife
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Midwifery
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National
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Nurse
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Nursing
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Occupational Therapist
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Olympiad
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Olympiads
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Olympian
|
Olympians
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Olympic
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Olympics
|
Olympiads
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Ophthalmic
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Optician
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Optometrist
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Orthoptist
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Patent
|
Patent
Agent
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Patent
Office
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Patentee
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Pharmaceutical
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Pharmaceutist
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Pharmacist
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Pharmacy
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Physiotherapist
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Police
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Polytechnic
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Post
office
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Pregnancy
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Prince
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Princess
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Queen
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Radiographer
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Reassurance
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Re-assurer
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Red
Crescent
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Red
Cross
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Red Lion
and Sun
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Register
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Registered
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Re-insurance
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Re-insurer
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Remedial
Gymnast
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Royal
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Royale
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Royalty
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Scotland
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Scottish
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Sheffield
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Society
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Special
School
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Stock
exchange
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Technician
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Termination
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Trade
union
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Trust
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United
Kingdom
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University
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Vet
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Veterinary
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Veterinary
Surgeon
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Wales
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Welsh
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Windsor
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