Guide to Select Your India Company Name

How to Select the Perfect Name for Your Company in India?

Selecting the right name for your company is one of the most critical first steps in starting a business in India. A company’s name is more than just a creative choice—it is your brand identity, your legal recognition, and the foundation of your reputation. While it’s important to consider market research, strategy, and creativity, entrepreneurs must also comply with the legal framework set by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) under the Companies Act, 2013.
The chosen name must be unique, free from trademark conflicts, aligned with your business activity, and carry the appropriate suffix that reflects your company’s legal structure. Non-compliance with these requirements can lead to rejection during registration, trademark disputes, or reputational setbacks in the future.

There are two reasons why you need to consider the rules for naming a company in india:

1. For Business Registration:

Firstly, when registering a business or LLP, you need to file the name with the Registrar of Corporations Companies (ROC).

2. For Trademark Protection:

You need to secure the name as a trademark. A trademarked name A trademarked name cannot be used by another company or individual, as it is legally protected under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. If you start a business with the same name by mistake, you may be taken to court and required to pay compensation, in addition to being forced to discontinue using that name.

In business terms, this can be highly damaging because your customers know you by your brand name & changing it can confuse them, harm your reputation, and affect your online visibility. Also, because you cannot file a trademark yourself, it could open you up to extreme abuse from someone who might use the same brand and get a free pass on your reputation, or create a poor image for you because they are providing unsatisfactory services or products.

 

Why Choosing the Right Name for Your Company Matters?

A company’s name is more than just a label, it is the foundation of your brand identity and reputation. The right name creates a strong first impression, reflects your values, and helps you stand out in a competitive marketplace. Here’s why it matters:

• First Impressions & Identity:
  Your company name is the first thing people notice; it shapes perceptions and builds brand recognition.
• Customer Connection:
  A unique, memorable, and appealing name attracts attention, fosters trust, and encourages word-of-mouth promotion.
  
• Differentiation & Credibility:
  A distinct name helps avoid confusion with competitors, enhances credibility, and communicates what your business stands for.
  
• Legal & Strategic Value:
  Choosing a name that complies with MCA and trademark rules safeguards you from disputes and supports long-term growth.
• Marketing & Digital Presence:
   A well-thought-out name enhances marketing efforts, SEO visibility, and adaptability for future expansion—both domestically and globally.
• Internal & External Alignment:
  The right name resonates not just with customers but also with employees, partners, and stakeholders, reinforcing unity and brand consistency.

 

How to Choose The Name For Your Startup?

The name of the India Company is the company’s identity and what people use to refer to it. It may also be easier to choose a company name than to choose a market opportunity, so in many instances, people have gone ahead and launched a company without an appropriate name. It can hurt the reputation of the product or the business itself because you’re losing customers who don’t understand what your product does, or because of the similarity to other companies, or because of the brand name; it’s just hard for them to find you. So, here’s a guide to picking the name of your business in India.

 

Understanding the Legal Boundaries in India for companies

Section 4 of the Companies Act, 2013 (and Rule 8 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014) no business should be registered with an unacceptable name.

A name is considered to be undesirable if it is identical with or too nearly resembles the name of a company in existence, a registered trademark or a trademark which is the subject of a request for registration, of any other individual under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. 

Before applying for company registration, MCA requires applicants to conduct a name search on the MCA V3 portal (through SPICe+ Part A or RUN service) to ensure that the proposed name is unique, not misleading, and does not violate naming guidelines.

 

Key Rules to Follow When Choosing a Company Name

Your name must be different from the names of existing companies. Remember that company names are not distinguished with prefixes/suffixes, tense changes or adding words like ‘The’ or ‘and’ or ‘co’ or ‘industries’ which are generic. The keyword(s) in the name must be considerably contrasting.

 

The following are to be dismissed when examining whether the suggested name of a company is similar to one already in existence: 

• The words Limited Liability Partnership, Private, Pvt, Pvt., (P), Limited, Ltd, Ltd., LLP;
• The words showing at the end of the names – company, and company, co., co, corporation, corp, corpn, corp.;
• The plural type of any of the words reflected in the name;
• The variations and case of letters, the spacing between letters and punctuation marks;
• Combining words or separating the words does not make the name recognisable
• The use of opposing tense or number of the same meaning (eg Chaar & Four or 3 & three)
• Using different phonetic spellings or spelling types does not help to distinguish one name from another
• The inclusion of an internet-related designation, such as –.COM, . NET, .GOV, ORG.IN, even if “.” is written as “dot”
• Inclusion of words in a name used by another company is not permissible

The following are allowable, given no objection by way of Board resolution of the current company is received:

• Different combinations of the exact words
• The following are to be observed for the Exact Hindi translation of the name of an existing company in English as well:
• If the proposed name resembles that of a company in liquidation, the name shall not be allowed for two years after the dissolution.
• In case a company is dissolved under Section 560 of the Companies Act, 1956, the same name cannot be registered until 20 years have passed after liquidation.
• Even a different spelling of a word does not work as long as the sound is the same. If there is a business named Intelligent Pvt Ltd, you cannot name your new company Intelizent Pvt Ltd or The Intelizent Pvt Ltd.

 

Name Must Not Recommend a Connection With Government or Foreign Institutions

Next, you should also ensure that the name does not contain (or imitate or in any way conveys a relation to) any of the following, as set out in the Act of 1950, Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use).

Here are the provided organisations you need to check with:

• United Nations Organisation
• World Health Organisation
• The Indian National Flag, the Government of India or any State, a Department of any such Government
• St. John Ambulance Association (India)
• The president, governor (Sardar-I-Riyasat) or Republic or Union of India, any name which may suggest or be calculated to suggest the patronage of the Government of India or the Government of a State; or link with any local authority or any company or body constituted by the Government
• Mahatma Gandhi,
• Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
• Shrimati Indira Gandhi
• Chhatrapati Shivaji or the Prime Minister of India or the words Gandhi, Nehru or Shivaji
• International Civil Aviation Organisation
• Interpol
• International Criminal Police Organisation
• World Meteorological Organisation
• Tuberculosis Association of India
• International Atomic Energy Agency
• Ashoka Chakra
• Dharma Chakra, the name of the Parliament or the legislature of any State, or the Supreme Court, or the High Court of any State, or the Central Secretariat, any other Government office or the Secretariat of any state
• Ramakrishna Math and Mission
• Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission
• Bharat Scouts and Guides
• International Olympic Committee
• National Youth
• Auroville
• The name of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
• Sri Sathya Sai
• National Human Rights Commission

 

Once you find that you have not used any of the above regarding the name, you should also consider whether the proposed name might be offensive to any section of the people, whether it contains any profanity or words or phrases that are generally considered to be a slur against any ethnic group, religion, gender or inheritance.

Also, it’s not just one name you can choose from. In order of preference, you must provide the Registrar with no less than at least six different names on the e-form, and these names should indicate the main objects of the company.

Key Words in the Name of a company and Approved Capital Required (INR)

1. Corporation – 5 crores.
2. International, Globe, Global, Universal, Universe, Continental, Inter-Continental, Asiatic, Asia, Asian, World being the first word of the name – 1 crore.
3. If any of the keywords at (2) above is used within the name (with or without brackets) or Hindustan, Hindustani, Hindustanee, India, Indian, Bharat, Bharati, Bharatiya, Bharateeya, being the first word of the name – 50 lakhs.
4. Hindustan, Hindustani, Hindustanee, India, Indian, Bharat, Bharati, Bharatiya, Bharateeya is used within the name (with or without brackets) – 5 lakhs
5. Industries, Udyog, Industrial, Industry – 1 crore.
6. Enterprises, Enterprise, Products, Product, Business, Manufacturing, Manufacture – 10 lakhs.

 

All of the above applies to naming an LLP as well.

We are here to help you. For more information on selecting your company name, contact us today.

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