How to check if a business name is already taken
To find out if a business name is taken, run four checks: the domain, the social handles, your country's company register, and a trademark search. A name can be wide open as a domain and still belong to a registered company or a trademark, so no single check tells the whole story.
Start with the fast one. Search the name across domains and social platforms in a single query with account.name to clear the obvious conflicts in seconds. If it survives that, move on to the official registers below.
The four checks, in order
| Check | What it rules out | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | The web address is already registered | account.name |
| Social handles | The username is taken on the platforms you need | account.name |
| Company register | A company already trades under the name | Companies House (UK), CRO (IE), or your national register |
| Trademark | The name is legally protected in your sector | Your national or regional trademark database |
Why a free domain is not the answer
A free domain means one thing: nobody has registered that web address. It says nothing about whether a company already trades under the name, or whether the name is trademarked in your industry. Skipping the register and trademark checks is how brands end up renaming six months after launch.
Availability and legal clearance are two different questions. Answer both before you print anything.
Company register versus trademark
A company-register search tells you whether the exact name is already incorporated. It is free and official, but a clear register grants you no rights to the name. A trademark search is the one that protects you from infringing someone else's brand, and from someone else infringing yours later. For a serious brand, do both, and pay for a professional clearance search once you are close to committing.
If the name is taken
One conflict does not always kill a name. A registered company in an unrelated sector and country may not block you. But the simplest move is usually to pick a clear alternative and re-check it everywhere at once. See our guides on choosing an available brand name and checking a name across every surface.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a business name is already taken?
Run four checks: the domain, the social handles, your national company register, and a trademark search. A name can be free as a domain and still be a registered company or a trademark, so no single check settles it.
Does a free domain mean the business name is available?
No. A free domain means only that nobody has registered that web address. The name could already be a trading company or a trademark in your sector. Always pair the domain check with a company-register and trademark search.
Where do I search for a registered company name?
Your national company register: Companies House in the UK, the CRO in Ireland, or the equivalent where you trade. The search is free and official, and it shows whether a company already operates under the name.
Do I need a trademark search as well?
Yes, if you are building a brand. A name can be a free domain and an unregistered company name and still infringe a trademark in your industry. Search your national or regional trademark database before you commit.
What is the fastest first step?
Check the domain and social handles in one search to clear the obvious conflicts in seconds. If the name survives that, move on to the company register and the trademark database.