{"id":3779,"date":"2022-06-08T05:40:21","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T04:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=3779"},"modified":"2025-07-02T00:41:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T23:41:29","slug":"changing-company-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/changing-company-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing My Company Name in England and Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are many reasons why you might want to change your company name. Perhaps you chose a name for your company when you first incorporated it, but it is no longer the best fit. Maybe you changed the scope of your business, and your current name does not reflect it. This article will walk you through the important steps for changing your company name.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing to Change Your Company\u2019s Name<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Choosing a New Name<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is nothing preventing you from changing your company\u2019s name multiple times. But from a commercial perspective, it may impact your branding. For instance, you may lose your name recognition. Therefore, you should think carefully about your new name. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Search the Index on Companies House<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Companies House is the public body that regulates companies and other incorporated business structures. They run a helpful tool that lets you <\/span>search all the other registered company names<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will not allow you to choose a name already in use by another company. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding Intellectual Property Infringement <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may wish to conduct a thorough internet search to ensure that the name you have in mind does not run afoul of any other business or person\u2019s <\/span>intellectual property rights<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>IPR<\/b>). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IPRs can exist independently of the list of names in Companies House. Therefore, before you start trading under your new name, you should ensure you do not risk breaching any intellectual property laws, even if it is by accident. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding Unlawful Names <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are certain words, phrases, and symbols you cannot use in your company name. In some cases, you can seek approval from the Secretary of State. In other cases, they are not permitted at all. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n