How To Register a Company Name

By Bébhinn Egan, 3^rd January 2025

Starting a new business is an exciting journey, and choosing the right name can be a critical first step towards your entrepreneurial success. Registering a company name isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a strategic decision that can significantly impact your brand’s identity and future growth. The process involves careful consideration and adherence to specific regulations set by the Companies Registration Office (CRO). Understanding the guidelines is crucial to avoid the risk of refusal and to ensure your path to forming your business is smooth and hassle-free.

Why Should You Register A Company Name?

Before diving into the registration process, let’s briefly discuss why registering your company name is important:

1. Legal Protection: Registering your company name ensures it is legally protected, preventing others from using the same or a similar name.
2. Brand Identity: A unique company name helps establish your business in the marketplace and builds credibility.
3. Compliance: To legally operate as a company in Ireland, your business must have an official, registered name.

Step-By-Step Process on How to Register a Company Name

Step 1: Choose A Unique Company Name

The first step in the process is to choose a unique company name. Here are some tips to help you brainstorm a name that stands out:

• Make It Relevant: Ensure the name reflects the nature of your business.
• Avoid Similar Names: Your company name must be distinctive and not too similar to existing company names, especially in the same sector.
• Keep It Simple: Aim for a name that’s easy to remember and pronounce.
• Check Domain Availability: If you plan to have an online presence, check if the domain name for your business is available.

Step 2: Check The Availability Of Your Company Name

Once you’ve chosen your company name, it’s time to check if it’s available for registration. In Ireland, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) manages the registration of company names. To check whether it’s still available, you can conduct a free Irish company name search here. It’s important to note, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) will only accept a new limited company name that is unique to the companies that already exist on the register.

If your desired company name is available, you can proceed with the registration process.

If your required company name is not available, it can be used as a separate business name or trade name under your limited company name. For example, if you wanted to use the name JRC Solutions–this would not be available as a limited company name but could be used as a trade name under an available company JRC Software Solutions Limited i.e. JRC Software Solutions Limited trading as JRC Solutions.

Step 3: Register Your Company With The CRO

Once your company name is confirmed, it’s time to officially register your company with the CRO. You can do this yourself or use an expert company formation service like Company Bureau to do it for you.

Additional Guidelines to keep in mind from the CRO

• It is generally recommended that company names include extra words so as to create a sufficient distinction between names. Certain words and their abbreviations together with accents and punctuation marks are not sufficient to distinguish between company names. Examples of such words include the definite article and the words “company”, “co”, “corporation”, “and”, “&”, “service”, “services”, “limited”, etc. Place names are not considered to be a sufficient distinction between company names, e.g. Ireland, Dublin, West, etc.
• Similar descriptive elements, e.g. press/printing, staff/employment agency, or the inclusion of only a general or weak qualification such as “holding”, “group”, “system”, “services”, “international”, etc. may not be regarded as a sufficient distinction between company names.
• Particular care should be taken with names considered to have a distinctive element i.e. names consisting primarily of made-up words or non-dictionary words. The inclusion of qualifying words may not be sufficient to create a distinction between company names.
• Names which are phonetically and/or visually similar will be refused. This includes names where there is a slight variation in the spelling and the variation does not make a significant difference between the names.
• A number on its own will not be accepted as a sufficient distinguishing mark, unless the company concerned is part of the same group.
• The use of a year in numerals to differentiate between two companies of otherwise the same name is prohibited.
• Names containing certain words cannot be used unless approved by relevant bodies. For example, the words “bank”, “banker”, “banking”, “banc”, may only be used with the permission of the Central Bank of Ireland. This also applies to names such as “hollybank”, “sweetbank”, “canal bank”, “bancorp”, etc. and the surname “Banks” not withstanding the fact that the company may not intend to carry on banking business.
• Words such as “society”, “co-op”, “co-operative” or “Union” cannot be used unless prior permission has been sought from and granted by the Registrar of Friendly Societies.
• The words “University”(Ollscoil), “Regional Technical College”(Ceardcholáiste Réigiúnach) and “Institute of Technology” (Institiúid Teicneolaíochta) cannot be used unless permission has been sought from and granted by the Department of Education.
• If a name includes words which imply specific functions e.g. “holding company”, “group” etc., further information may be required by the CRO to support the application.
• In the case of the word “Charity”, further information may be sought by the CRO to support the application.
• The use of the word “standard” is prohibited.
• The word “architect” either alone or in combination with any other words or letters, or name, title or description implying that the person is so registered, cannot be used unless a Notice of Determination has been issued by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI). This does not apply to the names “landscape architect”, “naval architect”, “architectural technician”, “architectural technologist”, and “interior design architect” and similar terms.
• Please note that there may be a requirement for some management companies to include Owners’ Management Company in the company name. S.14(3) of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 provides that the words “owners’ management company” shall be included in the name of every owner’s management company to which this section applies, which words may be abbreviated to “OMC”. S14(4) “This section applies to owners’ management companies of multi unit developments in respect of which no contract for the sale of a residential unit has been entered into prior to the enactment of this Act”. Section 14 was commenced on 24th January 2011.
• Further clarification may be sought for use of the words “Chamber of Commerce”. Permission from Chambers Ireland may be required.
• Only the name of a Societas Europaea can be preceded or followed by the abbreviation SE. Use of the term ‘SE’ at the beginning or end of the name designates that it is a European Company.

Only companies which are particular company types may have the following words in their name:

• Limited (ltd) – Teoranta (teo)
• Public Limited Company (plc) – Cuideachta Phoiblí Teoranta (cpt)
• Designated Activity Company (dac) – Cuideachta Ghníomhaíochta Ainmnithe (cga)
• Company Limited by Guarantee (clg) – Cuideachta faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta (ctr)
• Unlimited company (uc) – Cuideachta Neamhtheoranta (cn).

Under the Companies Act 2014, company types are included at the end of the name of the company unless exempted, please see below.

Ready To Get Started?

If you have any questions or need advice on registering your company name, our expert team at Company Bureau is here to help. We’ve formed over 35,000 companies and have been Ireland’s leading provider of Company Formations since 1997. Get in touch with our experts today!

Disclaimer: This article is for guidance purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. No liability is accepted by Company Bureau for any action taken or not taken in reliance on the information set out in this article. Professional or legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action as a result of this article. Any and all information is subject to change.