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How to check if a business name is taken

Before you print a sign or buy a domain, spend 10 minutes on these five free checks. They catch most name problems early, while changing course still costs nothing. This guide is written for the U.S., with links for other countries at the end.

  1. 1. Search Google and Maps

    Search the name in quotes, then the name with your city and your trade, for example "Bright Paws" dog grooming Tampa. Check Google Maps too. If a business nearby already uses the name, or a big brand owns it, keep looking. Customers would mix you up, and that is the problem trademark law is about.

  2. 2. Check the .com

    Type the .com into any domain company's search, or use Spark's free name check, which checks the .com live. Many people type .com by habit, so a free .com is worth a lot. If it is taken, try adding a short word like your town or what you do.

  3. 3. Search your state's business registry

    Every state has a free business name search, usually run by the Secretary of State. It shows whether an LLC or corporation with the same or nearly the same name is already filed. The SBA's guide to choosing a business name explains how state, DBA and trademark rules fit together.

  4. 4. Search U.S. trademarks

    Use the free USPTO trademark search. Look beyond exact matches: names that sound alike, look alike or mean the same thing can clash when they sell similar goods or services. A clash in an unrelated field (a bakery and a software company) is usually less of a problem.

  5. 5. Check social handles

    Look for the name on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X. You want the same handle, or close to it, everywhere. If the handle belongs to a business like yours, that is another sign to keep looking.

Spark does steps 2 and 4 for you. The free name check looks up the .com, plus a quick trademark screen when one is available. When you build a brand with Spark, every one of your 6 names comes with both checks. It is a first look, not legal clearance.

Outside the United States

The same five checks work everywhere; only the registries change. A few free starting points:

Questions people ask

If the .com is taken, is the business name taken?

Not always. Someone may own the .com without running a business. But a missing .com costs you customers who type it by habit, so it is a real reason to keep looking, or to add a short word such as your city.

Does registering my business name with the state protect it?

Only a little. A state filing (an LLC, a corporation or a DBA) usually stops someone else filing the exact same name in that state. It does not give you trademark rights, and it does not stop a business in another state.

What is the difference between a business name and a trademark?

A business name is what you file to exist legally. A trademark is a right in a name or logo you use to sell goods or services, and it can stop others in your field from using something confusingly close. A name can pass the state check and still clash with a trademark.

Is a free trademark search enough?

It is a good first look, and it catches the obvious clashes. It is not legal clearance. If you plan to spend real money on a name, ask a trademark attorney for a full search.

Not legal advice. This is general information. Rules differ by country and state. Talk to a trademark attorney before you file or invest heavily in a name.

Keep going

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