LLC Name Rules and Requirements

Overview

Choosing the right name for your LLC is one of the first and most important steps in forming your business. Each state has specific requirements and restrictions for LLC names. This guide covers the essential rules you need to know.

General LLC Name Requirements

1. LLC Designator Required

All states require your LLC name to include a designator that identifies it as a limited liability company. Acceptable designators include:

"Limited Liability Company"
"LLC"
"L.L.C."

Some states also accept:

"Limited Company"
"LC"
"L.C."

2. Name Availability

Your LLC name must be distinguishable from existing business entities registered in your state. Before filing, you should:

Search your state's business name database
Check trademark databases (USPTO)
Verify domain name availability
Search social media handles

3. Restricted Words

Certain words require special licensing or are prohibited:

Commonly Restricted:

Bank, Banking
Insurance
Attorney, Lawyer
University, College
Doctor, Medical

May Require Approval:

Engineer, Engineering
Accountant, CPA
Real Estate
Mortgage

4. Prohibited Content

Your LLC name cannot:

Suggest government affiliation (FBI, Treasury, State Department)
Imply illegal activity
Use profanity or obscene language
Mislead the public about your business purpose

State-Specific Considerations

Punctuation and Spacing

Most states allow punctuation marks
Spaces, hyphens, and ampersands (&) are generally accepted
Special characters may have restrictions

Name Reservation

If you're not ready to file immediately, you can reserve your LLC name:

Typical reservation period: 30-120 days
Reservation fee: $10-$100 (varies by state)
Can usually be renewed once

DBA / Trade Name

If you want to operate under a different name:

File a "Doing Business As" (DBA) or trade name
Your legal LLC name remains on official documents
DBA allows you to use a more marketable name

Best Practices

1. Make It Memorable

Choose a name that:

Is easy to pronounce and spell
Reflects your business purpose
Is unique and distinctive
Works well in marketing materials

2. Think Long-Term

Consider:

Future expansion plans
Geographic limitations in the name
Industry changes
Brand scalability

3. Check Everything

Before finalizing:

✓ State business name database
✓ USPTO trademark database
✓ Domain name availability
✓ Social media handles
✓ Google search results

4. Avoid These Mistakes

Using geographic limitations (e.g., "Miami LLC" if you plan to expand)
Names that are too similar to competitors
Trendy names that may not age well
Names that are too long or complex

Name Search Resources

State Business Name Databases

Most states offer free online search tools:

Secretary of State website
Business entity search
Real-time availability checking

Federal Resources

USPTO Trademark Search
EDGAR Company Search (for public companies)

Trademark Considerations

When to Consider a Trademark

Your business name is a key brand asset
You plan to expand nationally
You want exclusive rights to the name
You're in a competitive industry

Trademark vs. LLC Registration

LLC Registration: State-level protection only
Federal Trademark: National protection
Common Law Rights: Limited to your geographic area

Cost and Timeline

Federal trademark application: $250-$350 per class
Processing time: 8-12 months
Trademark attorney recommended: $1,000-$2,000

Changing Your LLC Name

If you need to change your name later:

Check new name availability
File Articles of Amendment with your state
Update all business documents
- Operating Agreement
- Business licenses
- Bank accounts
- Contracts
Notify relevant parties
- IRS (if needed)
- Vendors and customers
- Banks and creditors

Cost: $50-$200 (varies by state)

Next Steps

After choosing your LLC name:

Need Help?

Forming an LLC involves more than just choosing a name. Our comprehensive guides cover:

Ready to start? Check name availability in your state and begin your LLC formation today!