10/09/2026
Can two UK companies have the same name? ๐ค
Short answer: not quite. Companies House won't register a name that's the "same as" one already on the register, and it strips out things like punctuation, spacing and words like "UK", "Services" or "Company" before deciding. So "Home Care Ltd" and "Home-Care Limited" count as the same.
There's also the "too like" rule. Even if your name clears registration, an existing company can complain and Companies House can order you to change it, usually within 12 months. Think "Best Electrix Ltd" versus "Best Electrics Ltd".
And don't forget trademarks. A name can pass Companies House checks and still land you in trouble if it infringes a registered trademark. You can also trade under a different name to your registered one, as long as it doesn't clash.
Read our latest post for more info: https://zurl.co/P9YNu
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