How To Check If A Business Name Is Taken (6 Best Ways)

Starting a business is not a simple undertaking. In addition to coming up with a clever and memorable name, you must make sure that another company is not already using the name. 

Even familiar with trademark law, this can be a difficult task to complete. Many people choose to use online resources to assist them in determining whether or not a particular business name has already been taken. 

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website is one of the most widely used resources for trademark research and validation. 

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides a free search tool that allows you to look for registered trademarks. This blog post will discuss determining if a business name has already been registered.

Why Check For Business Name Availability

If you’re considering starting a business, you should first determine whether the name you want to use is available. This is significant for several reasons: It may be able to keep you out of legal trouble in the future. 

A legal challenge from another company may be necessary if you wish to use a name that another company has already taken advantage of. 

It can assist you in developing a strong brand identity. When people hear your company’s name, they should be able to associate it with the products or services you provide immediately. 

Customers will have difficulty making the connection between your company and another that has the same name. 

Finally, it is possible to register your business name with the appropriate government agency if the name you want to use is already taken. This will grant you the exclusive right to use that name in your geographic area for the next few years.

How To See If A Business Name Is Taken? 

Checking DBAs

When determining whether a business name has already been registered, the first thing you should do is look up the DBAs (or trade names). 

A search for registered trademarks, fictitious business names, and company registrations can be conducted on the website of your state’s Secretary of State. 

You can also search for business names in some states’ business name databases. These names are registered with the state and provide some level of assurance that the name is not already being used by someone else in the state where you live.

Trademark Business Name Check

You can also check to see if a business name is trademarked. The USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) has a searchable database of registered trademarks. 

You can search by keyword or browse by category. If you’re not sure whether your proposed business name is trademarked, it’s best to do a thorough search before incorporating or starting your business. 

You don’t want to invest time and money only to find out that someone else already owns the rights to your chosen name. 

It’s also essential to make sure that the domain name for your website is available. Again, you can use the USPTO’s database to check if a specific domain name is taken.

State Business Name Search

State business name searches are the best way to determine if a business name is taken. You can search for businesses by their name, DBA (doing business), or trade name. 

For example, the state of Texas offers an online business entity search tool that you can use to find out if a business name is available in Texas. Search for this tool, but with your state instead. 

When conducting your search, make sure you include all possible variations of the proposed business name. 

For example, if you’re proposing the name “Joe’s Pizza,” you would also want to do a search for “Joe’s Pizzeria,” “Joe’s Pizza & Pasta,” and any other variation of the proposed business name.

Check Your Governing Bodies 

You can also check with your governing body to see if the name is already taken. For example, in the United States, you can check with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state governments to ensure the business name is not being used for other purposes. 

This is also an excellent way to ensure that no other businesses with the same name in your area. Another place to check is the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

They keep track of all registered trademarks in the country and let you know if someone has already trademarked the name you’re interested in.

Use Search Engines

Check a few different search engines to see if the business name you want to use has already been taken. This will assist you in gaining a better understanding of how many websites are using that particular name in their domain. 

If you’re having trouble finding the business name on a search engine, experiment with a different keyword or phrase combinations. 

You can also try searching for the name on a website such as Google Maps to see if any businesses in your area use the same name.

Use Social Media

Social media is one of the most efficient and straightforward methods of determining whether a business name has already been registered. 

Simply perform a quick Google search for the business name you’re considering using, along with the words “social media,” to find out more information. 

Then, if any social media accounts associated with the company appear, it’s likely that they’ve already been taken. While this is not a foolproof method of checking, it is a great place to start your investigation.

How To Check LLC Registry

If you want to start a limited liability company (LLC), you’ll need to make sure that the business name you choose is available. You can do a search of the LLC registry to find out. The Secretary of State’s website has a list of all active businesses in the state, including LLCs. 

To check if a business name is taken, just go to the website and enter the desired business name into the search bar. If the name isn’t taken, you’re good to go! 

If it is taken, you’ll need to come up with another name for your company. You can also check online databases like CorpNet or The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

These databases have information on registered trademarks and trademarks that are pending. If you’re still not sure if the name is available, you can always contact an attorney or the Secretary of State’s office for help. 

Checking to see if a business name is taken is an important step in starting your own company. Make sure to do your research and choose an available name!

Wrapping Up – What To Do If Your Brand Name Is Taken?

If you’re thinking about starting a new business but aren’t sure what to call it, don’t be concerned! Here are some ideas to get you started: Make an effort to determine whether or not a similar company exists under a different name. 

This may be an excellent solution if the names are only marginally different. Next, examine the spellings of your company’s name in different variations. 

Next, contact the current owner of the company name and inquire whether or not they would be interested in selling it. Finally, develop a new brand identity for your company.