UK Business Name Availability Checker

UK Company Name Availability Checker

Verify if your preferred business name conflicts with active entities on the official Companies House register and check if it triggers UK sensitive naming regulations.

Sensitive Words Regulation Index

Browse words that require special permissions or ministerial approvals before company incorporation.

Restricted Word	Regulation Class	Permission / Approval Requirements
british	National Pre-eminence	Implies national status. Requires a letter of support/approval from the Secretary of State / Cabinet Office.
english	National Pre-eminence	Implies national status. Requires a letter of support/approval from the Secretary of State / Cabinet Office.
scottish	National Pre-eminence	Implies national status. Requires approval from the Secretary of State / Scottish Government.
welsh	National Pre-eminence	Implies national status. Requires approval from the Secretary of State / Welsh Government.
united kingdom	National Pre-eminence	Implies national status. Requires approval from the Secretary of State / Cabinet Office.
great britain	National Pre-eminence	Implies national status. Requires approval from the Secretary of State / Cabinet Office.
national	National Pre-eminence	Implies national pre-eminence. Requires approval from the Secretary of State.
royal	Royal Connection	Implies Royal patronage or connection. Requires approval from the Cabinet Office (Constitutional Policy Team).
king	Royal Connection	Implies Royal connection. Requires approval from the Cabinet Office.
queen	Royal Connection	Implies Royal connection. Requires approval from the Cabinet Office.
prince	Royal Connection	Implies Royal connection. Requires approval from the Cabinet Office.
princess	Royal Connection	Implies Royal connection. Requires approval from the Cabinet Office.
crown	Royal Connection	Implies Royal connection. Requires approval from the Cabinet Office.
association	Representative Status	Implies representative status of a body. Requires a draft constitution and evidence of community standing.
federation	Representative Status	Implies representative status. Requires a draft constitution and evidence of community standing.
society	Representative Status	Implies representative status. Requires a draft constitution.
institute	Professional Status	Implies highest professional or research standing. Requires support from the relevant government department or university.
institution	Professional Status	Implies highest professional standing. Requires support from the relevant government department or university.
charity	Charitable Status	Implies charity status. Requires a letter of non-objection from the Charity Commission (or OSCR in Scotland).
charitable	Charitable Status	Implies charity status. Requires a letter of non-objection from the Charity Commission.
register	Official Status	Implies official register. Requires approval from the Secretary of State.
registry	Official Status	Implies official registry. Requires approval from the Secretary of State.
accredited	Official Status	Implies official accreditation. Requires support from UKAS (UK Accreditation Service).
police	Public Protection	Requires approval from the Home Office.
health center	Public Protection	Requires approval from the Department of Health and Social Care.
health centre	Public Protection	Requires approval from the Department of Health and Social Care.
apothecary	Professional Status	Implies professional medical/pharmaceutical standing. Requires approval from the Privy Council Office.
gp	Professional Status	Implies general practitioner standing. Requires approval from the General Medical Council.