Using Your Name as a Business Name: What You Need to Know

Can I use my name as a business name?
If you’re operating as a sole proprietorship (meaning you are running your business but you haven’t filed with your local government as an LLC or Corporation), you are legally obligated to use your given name in your business name. This is because you pay both your personal and business taxes as an individual.
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Choosing a name for your firm is one of the first items on your to-do list when starting a business. Some business owners choose to use their own names as their company names, but is this a wise decision? Is it acceptable to use your name as a company name? We’ll look into the solutions to these issues and more in this essay.

Is it Legal to Run a Business Under Your Name?

You may use your own name as the name of your company. The simplest and most typical type of business ownership is referred to as a sole proprietorship. You don’t have to register your business with the state if you use your own name as the name of your company. You must register your company as a “doing business as” (DBA) name, nevertheless, if you decide to conduct business under a different name.

Changing Your Trading Name Is Possible?

Yes, you are always free to change your trading name. By simply updating your records with the appropriate government organizations, a lone trader can alter their trading name. You must follow the correct steps to change your company name if you’re functioning as a limited company. Typically, this entails adopting a special resolution to change the name, submitting the required paperwork to Companies House, and changing your company’s records.

How Can You Find Out If Your Company Name Is Taken?

Make sure the name isn’t already in use by conducting some research before deciding on it for your company. Using the Companies House name availability checker, you may determine whether the name of your firm is taken. With the help of this free online tool, you may check the Companies House database to determine if the name you want is available.

You will need to select an alternative name if the one you want is taken. To be sure your preferred name isn’t already trademarked, it’s a good idea to conduct a trademark search. You can stay clear of future legal problems by doing this.

Finally, using your own name as the name of your company is an easy and uncomplicated alternative, but it’s crucial to be sure the name you choose is available and not already in use. You must register your company as a DBA name if you decide to conduct business under a different name. And make sure to follow the right steps if you’re thinking about changing your trading name. You’ll position your company for success in the long run by taking the time to select the ideal name.