The first step to an Irish company formation is to check whether the name you want is available. 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. Names that are similar, identical or phonetically the same will not be accepted.

Choose a company name that has at least one distinguishing word; non-descriptive words such as ‘services’, ‘international’, ‘Ireland’ and ‘solutions’ are not considered distinguishing words by the registrar and will be discounted from the name check. Any name that implies state sponsorship or is thought to be offensive will not be accepted. Use of certain words such as “bank”, “insurance” and “group” require special permission.

Please Note: This form is to check the availability of a new company name, our name check service is for clients who intend to set up a new Irish company. If you wish to check the details of an existing Irish or International company please click here Company Search.

Company Name Check Form

1st Name Choice: *
 2nd Name Choice:
First name: *
 Last name:
Company Name: (if applicable)
E-mail: *
 Phone Number: * Phone number cannot contain hyphens or spaces

Do you consent to receive our monthly ‘company start up’ newsletter as well as the occasional relevant limited company updates?
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What’s next?

Once you have submitted the form, one of our team members will check the proposed names and contact you within 1 business day, though this is normally within the hour. Once we have confirmed that the Companies Registration Office will accept a company name, we can proceed to form a company on your behalf.

If you need urgent assistance we can check your proposed limited company name over the phone or by email, give us a call at +353 (0)1 6461625 or email formations@companybureau.ie. You can also use the Company Order Form to submit your 1st and 2nd choice limited company names, along with the new company details.

Why was my company name rejected?

There are many reasons why your chosen company name may not be accepted by the CRO. The most common reason is that a similar name already exists on the register. To get around this you can try adding a unique word to distinguish your company from those already on the register. A distinguishing word may be related to the type of business you want to establish or the industry it will operate in. Use the free company name check form on this page and one of our specialists will check your chosen company name in the fastest possible time frame.

Another reason a company name was rejected could be that it contains a restricted word. Read our blog post to help you choose a company name that is likely to be accepted: What are the company name restrictions in Ireland?

Contact us for assistance

FAQ's

The rule in Ireland is that a company must be dissolved for more than 20 years before the name is available again.

However, if you had previously registered a business name as a Sole Trader the name may be available to be registered as a company name. Please submit a company name check in the form above and our team will confirm if the company name is still available.

Yes, in Ireland there are a number of restrictions to consider when choosing a company name. These include:

  • Whether the name is already registered
  • If it is similar to an already registered name
  • If it is suggestive of state sponsorship
  • If it is offensive

Learn more about company name restrictions in Ireland here >>>

Unfortunately not. Company names must be registered in either English or Irish.

There are multiple steps that need to be taken to successfully change an Irish company name.

  1. Check that the new name is available
  2. File G10 form with the CRO
  3. Amend the company’s constitution
  4. Prepare a special resolution – signed by company members
  5. Maintain meeting minutes
  6. Order a new company seal

Changing an Irish company name can be surprisingly complex when done alone: let Company Bureau handle the entire process for just €250 + VAT