Companies House has reported that in the last 2 years they have had to reject more than 800 business name applications. There are certain rules that you have to abide by when naming your business, the restrictions set out by Companies House are as follows:

You cannot use;

• a name which suggests connections with the government or local authorities
• sensitive words or expressions (there are over 134 words/expressions that require prior approval)
• offensive wording
• wording which suggests committing an offence
• an existing name
• certain symbols, signs, characters and punctuation

Before choosing a name you need to check the register to ensure that no one has already got that name registered as a business or trademark. You can check the register for business names here and ensure that the name doesn’t infringe upon any existing trademarks here. It’s also wise to consider that if you choose a company name and it’s either similar to one that’s been dissolved or is the same as a dissolved company name it could jeopardise your reputation. If the company has a bad history it could affect you. It’s best to use a name which is new and unique.

Some of the names which Companies House report that they have rejected are;

• 
  Fit as Fork Ltd
• Fancy a Bomb Ltd
• Go Fudge Yaself Ltd
• Cambridge Cannabis Club
• The Great Big Corrupt Company
• Just Weed Ltd

to name but a few! I bet some of those made you giggle!

Choosing a business name is tricky that’s for sure, but just make sure you check the register and you don’t use any words that would be classed as offensive to others and you should be OK!