An LLC (limited liability company) is a popular business entity. It offers a variety of benefits, including flexibility with management and taxation.
If you’re a business owner, it’s important to choose the right name for your LLC. This will determine the success of your business in the future.
Unique
Choosing a unique LLC name can be one of the most fun aspects of starting a business. You can come up with a unique name using rhyming, alliteration or by simply playing around with words.
It can also help if your business has strong values that you want to highlight in the name. For example, if your company is environmentally friendly or has a strong commitment to community, incorporating these qualities into your business name will give it an extra edge over its competition.
However, if you choose a name that’s too similar to an existing business in your state or isn’t distinguishable, you can’t form an LLC with that name. States typically search their business name database to check if there are already companies with your desired LLC name.
It’s also important to keep in mind that your business name will be used for many years, so it’s best to select a name that you won’t grow tired of or regret years from now.
Easy to remember
Choosing a memorable business name is an important part of creating a successful company. It can help potential clients remember you and your brand when they need the services or products you provide.
You can make your naming process more creative by brainstorming words that are meaningful to you and your customers. This could include using alliteration, combining words in new ways or taking a play on words (e.g., Juan Takes Juan to Grow One).
Your LLC name must also be distinguishable from other companies. This means that it can’t be the same as another business name in your state or have any resemblance to a corporate name, bank, insurance company, government agency or any other type of entity.
You can check the availability of your desired business name with your Secretary of State’s business name database. The website is easy to use and provides a list of potential conflicts between your LLC name and other names in the database.
Relevant to your business
Choosing an LLC name that is relevant to your business will help you make the most of your brand. It will also help you attract the right consumers.
Ideally, you want to choose an LLC name that is not too similar to any other business names currently registered in your state or to trademarked words and phrases. This helps prevent trademark infringement and consumer confusion.
To avoid these issues, consider your state’s laws regarding name registration and use the searchable online databases maintained by state agencies that maintain business name records.
In addition, avoid using any words that refer to specialized businesses such as banks, insurance companies, medical facilities or legal services firms. These terms can falsely imply that your company is organized for a purpose different from the one it was formed to do.
A business name should be unique to you, your business and your values. If you are a family-oriented business, for example, you may want to include a word such as “family” in your name to reinforce this.