One of the first—and most exciting—steps in launching a business is choosing your business name. It’s more than just a label; it’s your brand identity, your first impression, and a foundational part of your legal presence. But before you print business cards or register a domain, you need to make sure your dream name is actually available.
In this guide, Smart Filing walks you through exactly how to check if a business name is taken, what to do if it is, and how to claim your name legally and securely—whether you’re forming an LLC, a corporation, or applying for an EIN.
Your business name is one of your most valuable brand assets. It helps define your company's mission, culture, and market presence. But a great name won’t do much for you if it’s already in use by another business—especially if it’s trademarked or legally protected.
Choosing a unique business name is important because
Here’s a complete breakdown of how to check business name availability on the state and federal level—and how to secure your name once you find the perfect one.
Every state maintains a searchable online database of registered business entities. To form an LLC or corporation, your desired name must be "distinguishable" from existing businesses on record.
💡 Smart Filing Tip: Use variations, abbreviations, and singular/plural versions of your name to check for potential conflicts.
Even if your name is available in your state, it may still be trademarked nationally. Using a federally trademarked name can result in costly disputes and forced rebranding.
🛡️ Smart Filing can help you perform a basic trademark check as part of our business formation services.
If you plan to operate online, a matching domain name (especially a .com) is key for branding, SEO, and credibility.
🌐 Want to claim your domain early? Smart Filing can guide you to secure your domain name alongside your LLC or corporation filing.
Brand consistency extends to social media. Make sure your name—or a close variation—is available on platforms like:
Use tools like Namecheckr to search multiple platforms at once.
Once you’ve confirmed your business name is available, you should act quickly to secure it legally.
📝 With Smart Filing, you can form your LLC, corporation, and get your EIN—all while ensuring your business name is protected and legally registered.
If you discover your preferred business name is already taken, don’t panic. Here are a few strategies:
At Smart Filing, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs and small business owners like you launch with confidence. We offer:
Our step-by-step process makes it easy to go from idea to incorporation—without the paperwork headaches.
Don’t let naming confusion delay your dream. Whether you’re starting your first business or launching a new venture, knowing how to check if a business name is taken is critical to getting it right from the start.
🔍 Check your business name now with Smart Filing and get your LLC, Corporation, or EIN filed the easy way.