Choosing a Company Name for a New Business in Ireland

Time to read:

minutes

Who should read this?

This article is written for entrepreneurs and business founders who are planning to register a company in Ireland.

It is particularly relevant for those who want to avoid delays and rejections when registering their company name with the Companies Registration Office.

Key Takeaways:

Generic additions like "Holdings," "Group," or "Services" are insufficient to distinguish your company name from existing businesses, and the CRO will likely reject such modifications
Names that sound phonetically similar to existing companies will be rejected, even if spelled differently, requiring careful consideration of both pronunciation and spelling
Special words such as "Bank," "University," or "Charity" require specific regulatory approval, even when used as part of a compound word
Creating unique, inventive names by combining words or using industry-specific elements increases the likelihood of CRO approval
The registered company name must appear on all formal documents, but you can use a simplified version for marketing purposes, provided there are no intellectual property conflicts

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Starting a business is exciting, but picking the right name can be surprisingly tricky, especially in Ireland. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just finding something catchy - your company name has to follow specific legal rules set by the Companies Registration Office (CRO).

To put it in the nicest possible way - the CRO can be a bit “inconsistent” in how they apply their naming rules and guidelines...

To avoid the very real possibility of the CRO rejecting your name, which will then delay the incorporation process, have a read of the below so that you can try get approved by the CRO first time round.

1. Understanding the Rules

The CRO has specific rules about what makes a company name distinct and acceptable. Unfortunately, their application of these rules can sometimes be inconsistent, so we recommend being overly-cautious. Here are a few key points:

Simple Additions probably won’t work

Adding generic terms like “Holdings”, “Group”, or “Services” generally won’t be enough to distinguish your company name from others. For example, if there’s already a “Tech Solutions Limited” registered, “Tech Solutions Holdings Limited” would likely be refused (unless you already own Tech Solutions Limited).

The same goes for adding names like “company”, “co”, “corporation”, “and”, “&”, “system”, “international”, “Dublin” or “Ireland” - these are not considered a unique distinction.

Phonetic and Visual Similarity

If a proposed name sounds similar to an existing company, even if spelled differently (e.g., “Byte Builders” vs. “Bite Builders”), it will likely be rejected. Be mindful of both pronunciation and spelling when brainstorming names.

Special Words and Approvals

Certain words, such as “Bank”, “University”, or “Charity”, require special approval. For instance, using the term “Bank” in any part of your name requires permission from the Central Bank of Ireland, even if the context is non-financial. This also applies to names such as “hollybank”, “sweetbank”, “canal bank”, “bancorp”, etc. and the surname “Banks” not withstanding the fact that the company may not intend to carry on banking business.

2. Tips for Choosing a Unique Name

Rule number 1 - create something distinct and unique where possible. Here are some practical strategies:

Use Made-Up or Combined Words - one way to stand out is to invent a new word or combine unrelated words. For example, instead of “Dublin Software Services”, consider something like “SoftCorex Limited”. This name doesn’t just differentiate from competitors, it’s also easier to secure a matching domain name and social media handles.
Add Industry-Specific or Creative Elements - incorporate words related to your specific industry but in a way that isn’t purely descriptive. Instead of “Food Delivery Limited”, try “TasteFleet Solutions Limited” or “DelishExpress Limited”. These names are distinct yet still indicate the nature of your business.
Consider Different Language Roots - using non-English words or alternative spellings (while ensuring clarity) can help create a unique identity. For example, “ArdTech Limited” uses the Irish word for “high”, making it more distinct than a generic “HighTech Limited”. A recent Irish company we helped called themselves "Jentic" which is a play on agentic AI agents. The had no trouble with the CRO.
Check for Existing Names Early - before settling on a name, search the CRO database to see if a similar name is already registered. The CRO’s Company Search Facility can help you quickly assess if your chosen name is too close to an existing business.

3. Balancing Legal and Brand Considerations

Remember that the official company name you register will appear on all formal documents, like invoices and contracts. However, you don’t necessarily need to use this full name for your website or marketing materials. For instance, your registered company could be “GreenSpark Innovations Limited”, but on your website and branding, you could just use “GreenSpark”. This flexibility allows you to meet legal requirements while maintaining a simpler public-facing identity. Just keep in mind any possible intellectual property breaches when doing this.

4. Examples of Naming Best Practices

Good Example - “BlueHorizon Technologies Limited” is distinct and creative, combining a visual (horizon) with a descriptor (technologies) in a unique way.
Weak Example - “Blue Services Limited” would likely be rejected, as it’s not sufficiently different from other service-related companies.

Generic Terms Like "Holdings", "Group", or "Services"

Weak Example: BrightFuture Holdings Limited
‍Good Example: BrightFuture Ventures Limited

Geographic Locations

Weak Example: GreenTech Dublin Limited‍
Good Example: GreenTech Innovations Limited

Over-Reliance on Descriptive Terms

Good Example: CargoMaster Logistics Limited
Weak Example: Global Logistics Services Limited

Adding Weak Qualifiers

Good Example: OceanWave Solutions Limited
Weak Example: Ocean Solutions Limited

Similar Phonetics or Concepts

Good Example: ExpertFinance Advisors Limited
Weak Example: FinanceExperts Limited

Ultimately, picking a name that’s unique, memorable, and legally compliant can be challenging (almost as challenging as getting a good .com these days!), but it’s worth the effort to get it right from the start. With a well-chosen name, you’ll avoid CRO rejections and set a strong foundation for your business’s future success.

5. Final Thoughts

The CRO’s guidelines can sometimes be subjective, making it difficult to predict whether a name will be accepted or rejected. Because of this, founders should be cautious from the get-go and aim for uniqueness. Remember, while you can tweak your marketing name later, your registered company name is permanent and needs to be chosen carefully.

For more on this, check the CRO’s full guidance on picking a company name here.

Or reach out to us at Open Forest and introduce your startup!

How Can Open Forest Help?

‍Open Forest offers the cheapest and fastest incorporation packages in Ireland including holding companies for €99 including CRO fees, VAT and access to the Open Forest platform so you can keep track of all of your legal, tax and accounting obligations - at no additional cost.

Choose from one of our incorporation packages here and we will take care of the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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How do I find a company name in Ireland?

Search the Companies Registration Office (CRO) database using their online Company Search Facility. This will show you existing company names and help determine if your proposed name is already taken or too similar to an existing business.

How do I set up a company name in Ireland?

First check name availability through the CRO search facility. Then submit your company name as part of your incorporation application. The name must be unique and comply with CRO guidelines. Consider engaging Open Forest to assist with the process.

What are good names to name a company?

Create distinctive names by combining unique words or inventing new ones, like "SoftCorex" or "TasteFleet." Strong company names are memorable, indicate your business activity, and are sufficiently different from existing companies. Avoid generic terms or descriptive words alone.

What are the restrictions on company names in Ireland?

Names cannot be identical or too similar to existing companies. Certain words like "Bank," "University," or "Charity" require special approval. Adding generic terms like "Holdings," "Group," or geographic locations like "Dublin" is insufficient for differentiation. The name must not be offensive or suggest state sponsorship without authorisation.

Can I add "Ireland" or "Dublin" to an existing company name to make it unique?

These geographic additions are not considered sufficient to distinguish your company name from existing businesses, and the CRO will likely reject such applications.

Can I use a different name for marketing than my registered company name?

Yes, you can use a simplified version of your registered company name for marketing purposes, but your full registered name must appear on all formal documents and contracts.

What's the best way to create a unique company name that will be approved?

Consider combining unrelated words, using industry-specific terms in creative ways, or incorporating non-English words while ensuring clarity and distinctiveness.

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