Key Takeaways

  • California has strict rules for LLC and corporation names, including prohibiting misleading terms and requiring specific designators.
  • The California Secretary of State’s Business Search is the primary tool for checking LLC and corporation name availability.
  • Names must be “distinguishable” under California law; small changes like punctuation, pluralization, or articles (“a,” “the”) don’t count.
  • Certain restricted words (e.g., “bank,” “insurance,” “trust”) require special approval or are prohibited entirely.
  • Corporations must use approved endings such as “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” or “Limited,” or approved abbreviations.
  • You can reserve a corporation name for 60 days through the Secretary of State by filing a Name Reservation Request Form.

Looking for LLC names in California is a relatively easy process to go through. A company just needs to know the rules about searching and applying for an LLC.

LLC Name Availability in California

Any entity that wants to participate in business with the state of California, including limited liability companies, need to register with the California Secretary of State. There is a free database online that has all the details about LLCs registered in the state of California through the Business Entities Division. Companies can use the business search database on the California Secretary of State's website to see if another company has the same name or a similar one.

Only one company can have the same name, so you would have to try again if someone already has your choice. The name needs to be different so it doesn't mislead the public. Look at the rules for picking an LLC name in the state of California before searching for a new one. Businesses can refer to the California Corporations Code Section 17701.08 to see the exact rules for naming an LLC.

The new LLC name must end with "Limited Liability Co., Ltd. Liability Co. L.L.C., LLC, Limited Liability Company, or Ltd. Liability Co." The name cannot include the words "corp, trustee, inc., trust, bank, or incorporated." There also cannot be the words "insurer," "insurance company," or any words indicating the LLC assumes insurance risks.

When looking to see if a name is available, the following information needs to be put in: 

  • Firm name
  • Entity type
  • Requester's name
  • Requester's address
  • Fax and phone number
  • First, second, and third choices for an alternate name

The Name Availability Form can also be filled out and sent to the following address while awaiting confirmation: Secretary of State, Name Availability Unit, 1500 11th St., 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Corporation Name Requirements in California

In addition to LLC naming rules, California has specific requirements for corporation names. Under the California Corporations Code, a corporation name must:

  • Be distinguishable from names of existing registered business entities in the state.
  • Include a corporate designator such as “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation like “Corp.,” “Inc.,” or “Ltd.”
  • Avoid prohibited or misleading terms, including words that might suggest the corporation is a government agency (e.g., “FBI,” “Treasury”) or imply it engages in regulated activities without proper authorization (e.g., “bank,” “trust,” “insurance”).
  • Not contain language that is offensive or that misrepresents the nature of the business.

If you wish to reserve a corporation name before filing your articles of incorporation, you can submit a Name Reservation Request Form to the California Secretary of State. A successful reservation holds the name for 60 days.

Determine Name Distinguishability

The identifiers found at the end of business names, or the difference in designators, don't create distinguishability. Examples of this would be "L.L.C." or "LLC" for limited liability companies and "Corp." or "Inc." for corporations. Other designators exist, but those are the most commonly used.

Differences in singular, possessive, and plural forms of a word or differences in variables do not create distinguishability. If the name a company wants is "Apple Farm, LLC," it could not use that name if a search found "Apple's Farm, LLC" or "Apple Farms, LLC." However, it could use the name "Bob's Apple Orchard, LLC."

The words "an," "a," and "the" also don't create distinguishability in a name. If a company wants the name "Print Shop, LLC," it could not use that name if there was already "A Print Shop, LLC." However, it could use the name "Printing Solutions, LLC."

Tips for Choosing a Strong Corporation Name

When selecting a corporation name in California, consider these practical tips:

  • Check trademark availability to avoid infringing on an existing brand, even if the corporate name is available at the state level.
  • Aim for clarity and memorability—names that are easy to spell, pronounce, and recall are more effective for branding.
  • Consider future expansion—avoid overly narrow geographic or product references that might limit growth.
  • Stay professional—while creative names can stand out, ensure they convey the right image for investors, customers, and partners.
  • Perform a domain search—securing a matching web address early helps with brand consistency.

These steps can help ensure that your corporation name not only complies with California requirements but also supports long-term business goals.

How to Look Up an LLC in California

There are several reasons a business may want to look up LLCs in the state of California. They might want to find more information about the status of those companies to see if they're still open. More information about an LLC may be needed in order for the correct service of process.

The California Business Search can show information about an LLC's status, entity formation, name and address of the agent, registration, and conversation date. This is not the tool to use when looking for the availability of an LLC, limited partnership, or corporation name.

To look for this, go to the Business Search page located on the Secretary of State's website and choose the option for Limited Partnership/Limited Liability Company Name. Put in the entity number (this is a 12-digit number) or the name of the entity in the search field.

 Don't put punctuation in your search when looking for this. Periods or any other punctuation should also not be used in the search term. For example, if the name X.Y.Z. Company is being searched for, type only "XYZ Company" in the search field.

If the entity has initials with periods in it, take out the periods but keep the spaces in. An example of this would be searching for the phrase "X Y Z Company" when looking for the business X.Y.Z. Company.

How to Check Corporation Name Availability

To check if your desired corporation name is available in California:

  1. Visit the California Secretary of State’s Business Search page.
  2. Select the Corporation Name search option.
  3. Enter the proposed name without punctuation or special characters for best results.
  4. Review the search results to ensure no existing corporation or LLC has an identical or confusingly similar name.

If the name appears available, you may file a Name Reservation Request Form or proceed directly with filing your Articles of Incorporation. Remember, name approval at the state level does not guarantee trademark protection—conducting a federal and state trademark search is also recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Do corporation names in California have to include “Inc.” or “Corp.”?
    Yes. California requires corporations to include a designator such as “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation like “Corp.,” “Inc.,” or “Ltd.”
  2. Can two corporations have similar names in California?
    No. Names must be distinguishable from existing business entities, and minor differences like punctuation or plural forms do not create distinguishability.
  3. How long can I reserve a corporation name in California?
    You can reserve a corporation name for 60 days by filing a Name Reservation Request Form with the Secretary of State.
  4. Are there words I cannot use in a California corporation name?
    Yes. Words like “bank,” “trust,” “insurance,” and terms implying a government affiliation are restricted or prohibited.
  5. Does state name approval mean I own the trademark?
    No. State approval only means no other registered California entity has the same name. You should still check federal and state trademark databases to avoid infringement.

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