How to Check If a Business Name Is Already Taken

A name can look free in one place and be taken in another. Running through all five checks below takes about ten minutes and can save you an expensive rebrand — or a legal headache — down the line.

1. Check the domain name

Start here, because it's the fastest signal. Search for the exact .com (and any alternative you'd accept). If a live website is already running on it, that name is effectively spoken for online. Our generator shows a quick availability indicator next to each idea, and links you out to confirm at a registrar.

2. Search your state's business registry

In the U.S., businesses register at the state level. Most Secretaries of State offer a free online "business entity search." Look up your name there to see if another company has already registered it in your state. Exact rules vary by state, so check the one where you'll operate.

3. Do a trademark search

A name can be unregistered as a company but still trademarked, which can prevent you from using it. In the U.S., search the free USPTO Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) for similar names in your industry. Trademark law is nuanced — if you find anything close, it's worth a quick consult with an attorney.

4. Check social media handles

Consistency builds trust. Check that the handle you want is open on the platforms you'll use — Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, LinkedIn. If the exact handle is taken, a small consistent variation (like adding "get" or "hq") across all platforms is better than a different handle on each.

5. Run a plain web search

Finally, just search the name in Google. You're looking for established businesses — especially in your field or region — that already use it. Even if everything else is clear, a well-known company with the same name will create confusion you'd rather avoid.

Putting it together

If a name passes all five checks, you're in great shape to move forward. If it stumbles on one, decide whether it's a dealbreaker (an active competitor or trademark) or something you can work around (a slightly different domain or handle).