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Free UK business name checker, no signup required

Check Company Name Availability UK

Check if your business name is available, see matching domain options, review social handle availability and understand whether your name is ready to use before you register.

Free UK business name checkNo signup requiredInstant results

Why check before you register?

A name check takes seconds. Fixing the wrong name takes months.

Many founders choose a business name quickly and register it without checking whether it is truly available. This can create serious problems down the line, from losing your domain to legal disputes with existing businesses.

Checking your company name before you register takes less than a minute and gives you the information you need to make a confident decision.

The company name may already be taken

Companies House will reject a name that is identical to an existing registered company.

The domain may not be available

Without a matching domain, customers may struggle to find you or land on a competitor.

Social handles may be unavailable

Inconsistent social handles make your brand harder to find and less professional.

Similar names can cause confusion

A name too close to an existing business can lead to customer confusion and legal risk.

A name should be easy to remember and trust

Strong names are short, clear, easy to spell and distinct. Weak names hold businesses back.

What we check

Everything your business name needs to be ready

Company Name Availability

We search Companies House records to check whether your chosen name is already registered. If the exact company name is already registered, you may need to choose a different company name before registering.

Domain Availability

Check whether matching .co.uk, .com and other domain extensions are available. A matching domain is important for building a credible online presence from day one.

Social Media Handle Checks

See whether your business name is available on Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok. Consistent handles across platforms make your brand easier to find and remember.

Brand Name Strength Score

Our brand scoring system evaluates your name across memorability, spelling clarity, length, uniqueness and commercial appeal. A strong brand name is an asset; a weak one can hold your business back.

Similar Name Considerations

We flag names that are similar to existing registered companies. Even if your exact name is available, a name that is too close to another business can cause confusion and potential legal challenges.

Next Launch Steps

Once you have confirmed availability, we show you the practical next steps: from registering your company and securing your domain to setting up your brand and getting online.

How it works

From idea to informed decision in four steps

01

Enter your business name

Type your company name idea into the search box. You can check any name, whether it is a single word, two words or a phrase.

02

Review availability and brand signals

See instantly whether the name is available at Companies House, which domains are free, which social handles are taken and how your name scores on brand strength.

03

Decide whether to register, adjust or improve

Use the results to make an informed decision. If the name is available and scores well, you are ready to move forward. If not, adjust your name and check again.

04

Move forward with confidence

Register your company, secure your domain, set up your brand identity and launch your business, all with the right name from the start.

Why this matters before registering

Choosing a name too quickly can create problems that are hard to undo

When you register a company name, you are making a long-term commitment. Changing your company name later involves legal paperwork, updating your branding, redirecting your domain, notifying customers and updating all your marketing materials. It is time-consuming and expensive.

If the domain for your chosen name is already taken, you may end up with a domain that does not match your company name, which creates confusion for customers and weakens your brand from the start.

If your name is too generic, it may be difficult to rank in search engines, hard for customers to remember and challenging to trademark. A name that is too similar to an existing business can attract legal challenges even if Companies House initially accepts it.

Spending two minutes checking your name before you register can save you months of frustration later. That is what this tool is for.

Company name checkCheck now →Domain registrationView options →Register your companyGet started →

Ready to check your company name?

Free, instant and no signup required. Check company name availability, domains, social handles and brand strength in one search.

FAQ

Common questions about checking company name availability

Enter your business name idea in the search box above. Our checker instantly searches Companies House records, checks matching domain availability, reviews social media handles and scores your brand name, all in one free search.
No. Checking a company name does not reserve it. To reserve a name, you need to formally register your company with Companies House. We recommend checking availability first, then moving quickly to register if the name is available.
Technically yes, but it creates practical problems. Customers searching for your business online may find a different company. Ideally your company name and domain should match, or be very close. If the exact domain is taken, consider alternative extensions like .co.uk, .net or a slight variation.
If your preferred name is already registered at Companies House, you may need to choose a different name. Try adding a location, a descriptor, or a unique word to differentiate your business. Our Brand Name Studio can help you discover strong alternative names.
Yes, wherever possible. A matching domain makes it easier for customers to find you, builds trust and strengthens your brand. If the exact .com or .co.uk is taken, check alternative extensions or slight variations, but avoid names that are too different from your registered company name.
Companies House will reject names that are the same as an existing registered company. However, similar names are sometimes allowed. This can cause confusion for customers and may create legal issues if the other company objects. It's best to choose a name that is clearly distinct from existing businesses.
Yes. The company name availability check, domain check, social handle check and brand score are all completely free to use. There is no signup required. We also offer optional paid packages including a Brand Name Studio report, Launch Blueprint and Branding Starter Pack for founders who want more detailed guidance.
Disclaimer: Check Company Name provides availability and brand-readiness guidance only. Results do not guarantee legal rights, trademark clearance or Companies House acceptance. Always carry out appropriate checks before registering or trading under a name.

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