Naming A Business

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Naming a new company is one of the most important steps in establishing yourself as a small business. Having a unique and creative name that is industry appropriate is an essential element of any well run business. Choosing the right name from the outset can save a lot of time and effort in the long run.

In addition to naming your business, it is also important to verify that you aren’t infringing on other companies trademarks, as well as establish your own trademarks as necessary.

Contents

Naming Your Business

Here are some resources for naming a small business:

Name That Firm (Wsj.com)
A good introduction on the importance of choosing the right name for your business. Includes advice on the importance of being creative with a business name, as well as how to choose an appropriate domain name for your company.

Naming Your Business (Toolkit.com)
This article explains some of the rules and conventions for naming a new business. The article is useful in that it explains how differently structured businesses, such as a sole proprietorship versus a corporation, have different naming standards.

5 Tips For Domain Naming (SCORE.org)
A brief article with five tips on how to choose a domain name for your business.

Trademarks

Here are resources for researching trademarks in the United States:

Patent Office Trademark FAQ (USPTO.gov)
An extensive list of frequently asked questions regarding trademarks.

US Trademark Electronic Business Center (USPTO.gov)
The business center for the United States Patent and Trademark Center. Includes resources to search the US Trademark database, as well as to file for new trademarks.