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Overview of business name assignment agreement, march 30, 2017, what is this document.

A Business Name Assignment Agreement is a legal document where one party assigns, or transfers, their business name or trademark to another party.

When would I use this document?

A Business Name Assignment Agreement would be used when one party is selling its business to another party, or a party is taking over another party’s business.

Who signs this document?

A Business Name Assignment Agreement is signed by the party assigning the business name (the assignor ), and the party who the business name is being transferred to (the assignee ).

More details about this document

A Business Name Assignment Agreement is generally a one-sided basic short-form agreement in favour of the assignee. It confirms that the assignee will be the legal owner of the business name. The name being assigned can be a registered or unregistered business name, domain name or a trademark. If some of the rights are not assignable for any reason, the assignor will generally grant a license for the assignee to use those rights.

An assignor will want to ensure that a strict payment clause is included in the Business Name Assignment Agreement, or in the related sales agreement. An assignee will want to ensure that they receive all rights to the business name being assigned, and that the assignor does not attempt to file a claim against them for rights to the business name.

What are the core elements of this document?

The core elements of a Business Name Assignment Agreement include: Transfer of Rights; License to Rights; and Release.Additional clauses could include: Payment; Entire Agreement; and Governing Law.

Related Documents

  • Nondisclosure/Confidentiality Agreement - an agreement that protects confidential information.
  • Intellectual Property Transfer, Assignment and Release - an agreement that transfers the intellectual property from one person to another.
  • Share Purchase Agreement - an agreement governing the sale of shares.
  • Asset Purchase Agreement - an agreement for the sale of the assets of a business.

assignment of business name

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Business Name Change

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Business owners and other authorized individuals can submit a name change for their business. The specific action required may vary depending on the type of business. If the EIN was recently assigned and filing liability has yet to be determined, send Business Name Change requests to the IRS address where you file your return.

In some situations a name change may require a new Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a final return. See Publication 1635, Understanding Your EIN PDF , to make this determination.

If you need acknowledgement of the name change, please ask for one to be sent. Follow the chart below to determine who the authorized individual is to make the business name change for your type of business:

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The name of a business can be one of the greatest assets a company can own. The business name serves as a symbol of service, expertise, customer goodwill and a distinctive company identity. If you sell or transfer your business ownership to someone else, you will need to transfer ownership of your business name as well. While you have the option of selling a business and retaining ownership of the business name, if you decide to transfer the business name, there are a few things you’ll need to consider.

Obtain a transfer of business name form from your state's office of the secretary of state. You may be able to log on to the office's website and download or print a form directly from the site.

Find out how much the transfer/registration fee will be. If you don’t find it online, you will need to call the secretary of state's office directly.

Complete the business name transfer form by listing the business name to be transferred and the name and contact information of the current business name owner. Then list the same information for the individual or individuals you will be transferring the business name to.

Sign and date the form, and include your current business title or position. Depending upon the requirements of your secretary of state's office, you may need to have the form notarized or signed by the party the business name is transferring to.

Mail your completed form and payment to the secretary of state's office. Most offices will require payment by business or personal check. However, many offices will accept a credit card on the form, or cash payment if you bring your form to the office.

  • FindLaw: Sample Document: Filing for Transfer of Trademarked Business Name
  • Wall Street Journal: How to Register a Trademark for a Company Name
  • Make sure all of the contact information is entered correctly on the business name transfer form. Confirmation of the name transfer registration will be mailed to the two parties listed on the form.

Malik Sharrieff is a marketing and business communications professional in New Orleans. He has more than 15 years of experience in marketing, public relations and customer relationship management; over eight years of experience as an academic writer; and as an online journalist for two years.

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How to Legally Change a Business’s Name

Despite your best efforts to choose the perfect name for your company, there may come a time when that name no longer is the best fit. Perhaps the business name no longer accurately reflects your brand or there are legal considerations at play. Regardless of the reasons to make a business name change, it’s a process that many entrepreneurs find confusing. The steps involved can vary depending on the business entity type and state of registration.

You may not expect ever to have to change your company name but knowing what to expect will help alleviate some of the stress if ever you do face the task. So, together, let’s break down what sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations typically need to do to change their company name.

What I’ll share here will give you a basic understanding of what’s involved to modify a business name; it is not a replacement for professional advice from an attorney. Because changing your business name may have legal implications, I suggest discussing your options with a licensed business lawyer before moving forward.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships are not formally registered business structures with the state, and the IRS considers these forms of business the same tax-paying entity as their owners. The name of a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership contains the owners’ first and last names, but owners can choose to market their business under a fictitious name —also called a trade name or DBA (Doing Business As)—that’s more creative and interesting.

Getting a DBA requires filing paperwork with the state. Some states also require that the business owner place a notice in one or more local publications to make the public aware of the DBA and who owns the business using it. If a business owner files a DBA and then later decides to change the name, they may do so if they follow the proper process.

The basic steps for sole proprietorships and partnerships to change their DBA include:

  • Cancel the existing DBA and file for a new one with the state. This involves contacting the government authority responsible for approving and registering fictitious names.
  • Contact the bank to find out if the existing business bank account’s name can be changed. Some banks will change the name on the account to a new DBA, while others require closing the account in the old name and opening a bank account for the new DBA.
  • Check with the city, county, and municipal government authorities about how business licenses and permits should be handled. Ask if the business’s existing business licenses and permits can be updated to reflect the new DBA or if the new DBA needs to obtain new licenses and permits.
  • Ask the IRS if a business name change will affect the business’s Employer Identification Number. Find out if getting a new DBA will require applying for a new Employer Identification Number . Typically, a new EIN isn’t necessary when changing a business name. However, if the business is changing its entity type in addition to its name, then a new EIN is required.
  • Notify the IRS of the new DBA.
  • Update any customer service documents and sales and marketing assets to reflect the new DBA. Things like customer contracts, sales estimates, company website, and letterhead are among the materials that may need revamping.

Limited Liability Companies

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) has two options for changing its business name. The first is to extinguish the original business name and register a new one. The second is to maintain the original name as the entity’s legal name and create a DBA for marketing and branding purposes.

Option 1: File LLC Articles of Amendment with the state to change the business name

By filing a document called Articles of Amendment, an LLC can request to change its business name. After the state approves the Articles of Amendment, the LLC will operate under its new name and the old name will be no longer active. If an LLC has foreign qualified (is registered) in other states, the company must file Articles of Amendment in all of those states.

In addition to taking care of the name change at the state level, LLC owners may also need to do some of the following steps depending on their situation:

  • Contact their bank to find out if they can change the name on their existing business bank account or if must they open a new business bank account for the new name.
  • Check with the city, county, and municipal government offices to find out if they must update existing business licenses and permits with the new business name or cancel the existing licenses and get new ones under the new business name.
  • Find out if the business must apply for a new EIN under the new business name. Although a name change in itself generally does not require getting a new EIN, it’s best to verify with the IRS.
  • Notify the IRS of the LLC’s new business name. A single-member LLC would handle this the same as a sole proprietorship would; a multi-member LLC would follow the same procedure as a general partnership.
  • Update the company’s customer service documents and sales and marketing assets. A new name means all of the contracts and communications the LLC uses should reflect that new name. Among the things that may need to be updated are company logo, service contracts, sales presentations and proposals, website, brochures, and company letterhead.

Option 2: Keep the original name as the LLC’s registered business name and file a DBA for the new name

Wiping the slate clean and doing a complete business name change may work well for LLCs without a lot of brand awareness and reputation tied to their name. For some companies, though, it may make more sense to keep the existing name intact. That might be the case if the LLC has trademarked the name or has products and services strongly associated with the name.

To accomplish this, a business may file a DBA (i.e., fictitious or trade name) for the desired business name with the state or county office that has authority over DBAs. After filing the DBA, the business owners should contact the bank to discuss if the DBA can be added to the LLC’s existing bank account or if it will need a separate account set up in its name. After the DBA is set up, the next steps include creating internal and external administrative and marketing materials (such as logo, letterhead, website content, etc.) that reflect the name and establish a foundation for promoting the brand.

C Corporations

A company registered as a C Corporation has methods similar to those that an LLC has for changing its business name.

Option 1: File Articles of Amendment with the state to change the corporation’s business name

C Corporations can request the make a business name change by filing Articles of Amendment with the state. Upon approval, the corporation will operate under its new name. As is the case with a foreign qualified LLC, a corporation that is registered in multiple states must file Articles of Amendment in each state where it has a foreign qualification .

Beyond taking care of the state business registration aspect of a name change, entrepreneurs may also need to tackle other steps:

  • Contact the bank to find out if they can change the business name on the existing bank account or if they must open a new business bank account under the new business name.
  • Check with the city, county, and local government offices to see what needs to be done to existing business licenses and permits. Can they be updated with the new name or must those licenses and permits be canceled and new ones obtained under the new name?
  • Ask the IRS if the corporation must apply for a new EIN under its new name. Usually, a new EIN will not be necessary if a business changes its name, but it’s best to confirm.
  • Notify the IRS of the corporation’s new name.
  • Update the corporation’s customer service documents and sales and marketing materials with the new name. Assets to consider include company logo, letterhead, service contracts, vendor contracts, sales proposals, website content, brochures, and catalogs, etc.

Option 2: Keep the corporation’s original name as the registered business name and file a DBA for the new name

As I mentioned in the section about LLCs, in some situations, it might be more favorable for a corporation to maintain its registered name as its legal entity name and file a DBA with the appropriate government agency for the new name it wants to use. After filing the DBA, the corporation should contact the bank to find out if it can add the DBA to the company’s existing bank account or if it will need to establish a separate business bank account for the DBA. After the DBA is approved, the business should consider creating customer documents, corporate communications, and marketing materials (such as service contracts, proposals, company logo, letterhead, website content, etc.) that reflect the name and can be used to promote the brand.

Final Tips for Business Name Changes

Before you decide (after consulting your attorney) which method of changing your business name is most favorable, you want to verify that the name you want to use is available. CorpNet offers a free business name search tool to help you determine if a name isn’t already claimed legally by another business. I also recommend using the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s online database to help detect any potential conflicts. An attorney that specializes in trademarks can also assist in confirming a name’s availability.

After you know what name you will use and how you’ll proceed with your business name change, my team of filing experts at CorpNet can handle the name change paperwork for you. Whether it’s filing a DBA or Articles of Amendment , we can get the job done quickly and usually much more affordable than paying an attorney’s fees to process the documents. Contact us today to get started!

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What is a Fictitious Business Name (DBA) and Why Do You Need One?

What is a Fictitious Business Name (DBA) and Why Do You Need One?

As a business owner, choosing the right company name is one of the most important items on your to-do list when you launch a new business. It’s right up there with opening a business bank account, setting up a company website, and establishing business credit . 

When you use a company name that doesn’t match the legal name on your tax returns, you’re using what’s known as an assumed business name or DBA. Read on to learn more about how assumed business names work, the purposes they serve, and why you may need to give your state a heads up if you use one.

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What is a Fictitious Business Name?

A fictitious business name (FBN) is any name your business uses to operate other than your legal name. In some states, you must file for an assumed name certificate if your company does business under anything other than its legal name (or owner’s name(s) in the case of a sole proprietorship or partnership).  Law offices and construction/remodeling companies often use legal names (i.e. Johnson & Sons, Waller and Waller Associates).

What is a DBA?

Depending on your state, an assumed name certificate may also be referred to as a DBA (doing business as) registration or a fictitious name filing. While the terms all sound different, they describe the same process. 

Does your business use a name that doesn’t match the one you use when you file your tax returns? If so, you might need to file for an assumed business name certificate.

The application process for an assumed business name certificate varies from state to state. Some states allow you to file online. In other states, filing for an assumed name certificate is as simple as visiting your county clerk’s office, filling out a registration form, and paying a fee. (Call or research in advance in case the clerk’s office has any special requirements, like paying with a money order or cashier’s check.) Other states may require you to place an ad in your local newspaper to disclose your DBA name to the public. 

Wondering if your state requires you to file for an assumed name certificate? Contact your Secretary of State’s office. You can learn if DBA registration is necessary in your state and, if it is, which department you need to reach out to in order to get your fictitious name certificate. 

Why Do Businesses Use An ABN or DBA?  

A small business might choose to use a fictitious name for several reasons. Below are a few common ways an assumed business name could benefit your business. 

  • A fictitious name filing could help you comply with state law if you use something other than your legal name when you engage in business. 
  • Sole proprietors and partnerships may opt to use an assumed business name if they don’t want to use their personal names (or some variation thereof) when dealing with the public. 
  • If your legal business name is long, tough to pronounce, or difficult to use from an advertisement perspective, a fictitious business name might be a good solution. 
  • Businesses that sell multiple products or services, especially to different customer bases, might want to operate under more than one business name. 
  • A fictitious business name could help your company rebrand or try to reach a new audience.
  • If your company already uses a DBA, a bank might require proof that you registered the assumed business name to open an account or accept payments under that name. 

You’re also probably wondering if your ABN or DBA can be used to build business credit and obtain business credit cards . The short answer is yes. Many states allow businesses that have a registration of a fictitious name to apply under that name for business credit. However, it’s important to check with your state department to figure out what that process would look like for you and your business.

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Can an LLC Have a Fictitious Name? 

Fictitious business names aren’t limited to sole proprietorships and partnerships. A limited liability company (LLC) or corporation may use a DBA as well, as long as it follows the rules. 

Tip: Using a DBA might affect your business credit. You should keep a close eye on your business credit reports and scores often, especially if you make a switch and start using a new fictitious name. 

How Long Is a Fictitious Business Name Valid? 

If your state requires you to file for an assumed business name certificate, it may not last forever. Your registration is probably only good for a certain period of time. 

Exactly how long your fictitious name registration lasts depends on the state where your business is located. Five years or less is a common timeframe. Re-registration requirements and filing fees for fictitious name renewals vary by state as well.

If your state requires you to re-register, don’t wait until the last minute to fill out a new assumed name form and pay the filing fee. It’s best to start the renewal process before your current fictitious name filing expires. 

Is An ABN or DBA Necessary For Liability Protection?

An assumed business name could potentially solve certain problems for your business. Yet there are limitations you should understand.

  • An assumed business name typically won’t protect you from personal liability if someone decides to sue your business. If you want to shield your personal assets, you should consider forming an official business entity like a corporation or LLC. (Talk to your attorney for advice.)
  • A DBA won’t directly impact how you pay taxes to the IRS or your state. Are you looking for the best way to set up your business from a tax perspective? Do you want to avoid the dreaded self employment tax ? In either case, you should consider options like LLC vs. corporation or C Corp vs S Corp. (Talk to your tax professional for advice.)
  • A fictitious name filing won’t protect the name of your brand. Unlike an official legal name filing, an assumed business name probably won’t stop a competitor in your state from using a name that’s close to yours. In many states, multiple companies may be allowed to file for similar or even identical fictitious names. If you want to protect your business’ name from competition in your state, a new business registration may be in order. Take it a step further and consider filing for state and federal trademarks if you want to protect your brand name at a higher level. 

Final Word: Fictitious/Assumed Business Name

If your business is going to use any name other than its legal one, it’s critical to find out whether state law requires you to complete a fictitious name filing. Skipping this step could result in serious consequences, like civil or criminal fines and personal liability for business contracts.  Remember that Nav provides resources to ensure your business has all the necessary information. We’ll help you register your business with the Department of State, check your business credit scores , and even find your best  small business loan options.

Not sure whether you should file for an assumed business name or register for a new, separate business entity with your state? Talk to a trustworthy business attorney for legal advice on your personal situation.

This article was originally written on January 29, 2020 and updated on July 18, 2022.

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Imani Bashir

Imani Bashir is a Digital Marketing Copywriter at Nav. As a small business owner who is also a Nav user, her greatest goal is to create the best user-friendly information that other Nav users can benefit from and implement to cultivate their businesses success.

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Selling a Business Name: Everything You Need to Know

Selling a business name is necessary when transferring or selling your company to another party. 3 min read updated on February 01, 2023

Updated November 2, 2020:

Selling a business name is necessary when transferring or selling your company to another party. While owners do have the option of maintaining ownership of the name of the business, if it has been decided that the business name will be transferred, then there are many things that need to be considered.

Do You Own Your Business Name?

In order to comply with state law, most small-business owners will register the name with their state. Generally, the process of registering a company name will ensure that no one else can utilize the same name to sell comparable services or goods. However, protection may not extend nationwide. If another party has previously registered your desired name with the state to sell similar services or goods, then most likely your registration will be denied. In addition to registering with the state, you must also use a trademark in order for the goods and services to be considered under your ownership.

How to Sell a Business Name

A business name can be a company's greatest asset. It serves as a symbol of expertise, customer service, and company identity. Rarely do individuals just want to buy the name of a business . Generally, transferring a company from one party to another will consist of selling both the business and its name. When a person seeks only to purchase a business name, it generally occurs for the following reasons:

  • The name has significant importance to the individual attempting to buy it.
  • The reputation associated with the name is valued or unusually marketable.

Typically, the most common occurrence of a business name purchase will involve a website domain name, especially those that potentially can encourage a significant number of page hits.

There are certain steps to take when selling a business name.

  • Determine if a business with a similar name exists : Selling a company name that may be mistaken for another business may be more difficult. This may also occur even if the other business is in a completely different industry. The more unique the company name , the easier it will be to sell it. The value of a company name is reduced when multiple businesses have the same name.
  • Establish the right to sell the company's name : When a business is named after the owner and only the owner, then that individual has direct ownership of the name. For example, consider the business name of “Kevin Comstock Farms.” However, if the business name is not trademarked , then it is not protected by law without authority to sell it. To clarify, this means unless the business name is protected under local, state, or federal law, a business owner has no authority to sell it and gain a financial profit.
  • Prove the validity of the business name : In order to prove a name's validity, there are many angles to consider. Some potential buyers may view a trademarked name to hold more value, while others may be more concerned with a name's reputation. Some future owners may value the longevity of a name. Justifying the validity of a name can be difficult because the marketing goals of each potential buyer may be different.
  • Remember, shorter domain names are better : Shorter business names are easier for customers to remember and to associate with the related goods or services. Business names that are hyphenated, long, or difficult to spell and pronounce are less attention-grabbing and harder to sell.
  • Accumulated business debt.
  • Lawsuit involvement.
  • Set the dollar amount for the name of the business : Determining a realistic dollar amount can be very subjective. There are many factors to consider when establishing a name‘s value. Remember, any issues attached to the name of a business will significantly hurt the dollar value.
  • Be prepared to negotiate : The majority of buyers will not pay top asking price for a business name, even one with significant value. Be prepared to disclose the minimum amount that you will accept to a potential buyer.

If you need help with selling a business name, you can post your job on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

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The Complete Guide on How to Name a Business

The Complete Guide on How to Name a Business

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When you start a new business , finding a name for your company can be challenging and time-consuming.

Some new business owners feel paralyzed by this challenge and can’t even begin to write a business plan until they settle on a business name.

Your company name (a “brand name”) is the mental trigger that helps customers and prospects think about your business. It’s a core part of your company’s brand strategy .

A strong business name can help differentiate your business from competitors, identify what you’re offering, inspire your team and others, and boost brand recall.

When a person hears or sees a brand name, their brain creates a mental association and reaction. These associations and responses can be positive (when a person likes the name or brand) or negative (when someone doesn’t like the name or brand).

If you want to build a strong brand, a business name that captures your brand essence is the foundation for everything else.

Over the past fifteen years, our team and community have helped thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses develop unique and memorable names for their businesses. We frequently talk and write about naming businesses and have keynote webinars and conferences on naming. This guide shares the actionable insights, tips, best practices, and expertise we’ve developed after helping over one hundred thousand brands.

Here’s everything you need to know to find a great business name for your new company.

How brand names are structured

Brand names can be structured in different ways, including real words (Staples, Amazon , Apple ), truncated real words (FedEx, Cisco), alphanumerics (7-Eleven, 3M), compound words (Microsoft, DreamWorks, MasterCard), and coined words (Google, Zappos, Coca-Cola).

Five types of brand names

Nearly all brand names fall into several categories. You should understand these categories to assess what type of business name you like most.

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Descriptive names

Descriptive names describe the goods or services being offered. These include names like Antique Lightbulbs or Jane’s Surfboards.

Descriptive names work best when you want to reach an audience that wants to know what your product or service does or when your product or service has a short lifecycle and a small marketing budget.

Descriptive names are tough to trademark because they use common words. So, if you plan to trademark your business name, you should look for names that are not descriptive.

Suggestive names

Suggestive names are similar to descriptive names but are less clear about the goods and services offered. For example, Fitbit is a suggestive name. It contains the word “fit,” which relates to fitness, but it’s not completely clear that the products or services offered are fitness products. Still, many people would guess that “Fitbit” is a name for a company that provides fitness products or services.

Arbitrary and fanciful names

Arbitrary and fanciful names have no apparent connection to the brand. They can be arbitrary names like Apple, Virgin, or Slack, or fanciful names containing made-up words, like Google or Kodak.

Arbitrary and fanciful names are easier to trademark because they are distinctive. But because they’re so unusual, they also require more marketing support to help people connect the brand names to the goods and services the company sells.

Names based on different languages

When creating a different tone, consider names derived from languages other than English. This is especially helpful if your target audience is primarily non-English speakers.

Names based on different languages can also appeal to English speakers. For example, Prego means “please” in Italian and is also a famous tomato sauce.

Acronyms & initialisms

Acronyms are words pronounced as words. Initialisms are pronounced as their letters.

For most companies, names based on acronyms and initialisms are not ideal because they can confuse your target audience.

But sometimes, a longer business name is easier to pronounce when shortened. International Business Machines Corporation is a good example: IBM.

At other times, a longer business name is too limiting and challenging. This was the case for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, which renamed itself 3M.

Some acronyms can work well as initialisms too. For example, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) works well in abbreviations and long-form.

entrepreneur sitting in front of a computer

The best business names have all or most of these nine elements:

  • Imagination . The name engages and sparks a customer’s or prospect’s imagination. Fun names like Häagen-Dazs do so for many people.
  • Distinctiveness . The name differentiates your business from others in your target market. Think Microsoft Project, Teamwork, and Zoho Projects versus Basecamp.
  • Brand fit. The best names will capture the essence of your brand (examples: Tesla and Twitter).
  • Short and concise. You want the name to be as short as possible. Shorter names are easier to remember and spell. Compare (Apple to Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.
  • Lasting . Will the name remain relevant as your brand grows? If Amazon named itself OnlyBooks, it would have had to rebrand when it started selling other items.
  • Sounds good. The best names are pleasing to the ear. Think Jamba Juice.
  • Consistency . Follow naming conventions that connect to your brand name if you introduce complementary products. You won’t see Apple introduce a phone called Starbase or a watch called Timer.
  • Protectability . You should see if the business name you want is available for trademarking and whether you can buy a domain that matches the business name.
  • Appropriateness . When you sell globally, make sure your business name doesn’t carry a severe negative meaning in another major language.

How to start the business naming process

Start by compiling a brief summary summarizing your naming strategy’s critical parts.

Here are some of the essential questions your creative brief should answer:

What are you naming?

Most people name companies, and the answer to this question is easy.

But sometimes, you are naming a product, and the answer is more complicated. For example, is it a brand-new product or an extension of an existing product line? The latter typically needs to connect to the rest of the product line.

Similarly, it would help to consider whether you’re creating a suite of products based on this initial product or whether it will stand alone.

How will you use the name?

If you’re looking for a business name, use it on your business cards, website, brochures, signs, packaging, etc. Consider any particular uses that could influence the type of name you’ll select.

What is your target market?

You must do market research to understand how the name fits your target market. This isn’t always obvious because markets can be hyper-specific or broad.

What names do your competitors use?

In some industries, there are naming patterns. Other industries reward novelty and innovation when it comes to naming. In both cases, you’ll want to differentiate.

Who are your customers?

Are you selling directly to consumers (B2C) or other businesses (B2B)? Are you selling to senior citizens of Gen-Z? The better you understand your target audience, the more prepared you’ll be to assess whether you’ve found the right name that will resonate with that audience.

How do you differentiate?

This is your unique selling proposition. What special sauce will prompt people to buy your products and services over your competitors? You can use a SWOT analysis to define your unique selling proposition better.

Are words from other languages acceptable?

Other languages can be playful (Swahili, for example) or communicate better with a particular audience (French for an upscale audience). But remember that words can have negative meanings and associations in other languages, so consider your target markets and how your name would be interpreted in those markets.

What brand attributes should the name communicate?

This is tough to accomplish with most names, but you can sometimes communicate various brand attributes with a business name. For example, Sir Speedy’s name (professional printing and marketing services) expresses that the product is “fast.”

Do you prefer a specific tone?

Certain pronunciations have specific connotations. For example, the popular coffee chain Starbucks got its name partly because the founders thought “st” makes a strong vocal sound.

Can your product accommodate your business name?

Small products have limited physical space on which you can print the name. So consider whether you’ll want to publish your name on products and whether you’ll be constrained with a longer name.

Will you need a matching domain name?

Domain names can be tough to find. But you can add a descriptor to your business name. For example, if your business name is clout and the domain is already taken, you can use joinclout as the domain.

Now that you’ve learned the basics, here are nineteen proven tips to help you pick a strong business name:

19 Tips for a Strong Business Name

  • Be patient when naming a business.
  • Think about what you want your business name to convey.
  • Avoid decisions by committee.
  • Avoid business names that are too narrow or too literal.
  • Give yourself options.
  • Don’t get discouraged if you cannot get a matching domain name.
  • Consider whether you can obtain a trademark.
  • Conduct a Secretary of State search.
  • Avoid naming trends.
  • Avoid obscure words.
  • Avoid plain words.
  • Be careful with geographic names.
  • Keep the name short, simple, and easy to write and remember.
  • The name is only part of your brand identity.
  • Set a time limit.
  • Trust your target audience.
  • Be open-minded.
  • Think like your customers.
  • Good is better than perfect.

assignment of business name

1. Be patient when naming a business.

Finding a great name in a few hours is possible, but this is rare. The process can take weeks as you explore lots of options.

Think about words that describe your industry or the products/services you offer. Think about words that describe your competitors and terms that describe the differences between your products and services and those of your competitors.

Also, consider words that describe the benefits of using your products or services. Finally, think about words (and phrases) that evoke the feelings you want your customers to feel when they see your company name.

Here’s a handy ideas guide for many different industries, like salon name ideas (and many others, including restaurant name ideas, consulting business name ideas, photography business name ideas, and much more).

While brainstorming, look up Greek and Latin translations of your words – you might find new ideas from doing that exercise. Look at foreign words too.

Expect this process to take lots of time (it took us about 40+ hours to brainstorm and then another 10 to finalize names for crowdspring – we went through MANY possible names). Don’t forget to leverage resources, including a dictionary, thesaurus, and other resources that may help. This terrific naming resources guide can help you get started.

2. Think about what you want your business name to convey.

Your business name is an essential part of your company’s brand identity .

The name will appear in your company logo and on your business cards , letterhead, website, promotional materials, products, and everywhere in print to identify your company or your company’s products and/or services.

Service-oriented businesses should consider whether it will be easy for their prospective customers to recognize what services the business provides based on the name of the company (for example: Friendly Dog Walkers or Bright Accounting).

3. Avoid decisions by committee.

People rarely agree about anything. And when it comes to naming, this is always true.

It’s tempting to involve our friends, family, employees, and customers to find your company’s name. Sometimes, this can work out well. But there are risks. People might be upset if you don’t pick a name they think is excellent.

You’ll also find yourself trying to find consensus – which can lead to a very plain name. If you must involve others, pick a small group of people who understand you and your business (and pick a mix of right-brain and left-brain types so you can have some variety).

Once you’ve selected a few possible choices, you should share them with trusted friends, family, and customers to get feedback about the name.

Pick a person who will ultimately decide, provide input, and then let that person pick the name. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting a lot of time or will compromise on a name that’s weak but tolerated by everyone.

4. Avoid business names that are too narrow or too literal.

Think about how your company may evolve and ensure the company name can grow with the business.

For example, your original name will be too narrow and restrictive if you name your company iPhone Accessories and later expand into selling accessories for other products.

The same advice applies even if your company sells a niche product.

For example, if you sell antique lamps, you should consider whether you might sell more than lamps in the future. Naming your business Joan’s Antique Lamps may be too limiting when you later sell antique clocks and furniture.

5. Give yourself options.

Even when you find a name you love, consider other possibilities.

Select several names that can work well for you and register those domains to have options. Don’t anchor yourself to a name prematurely before you’ve done some due diligence.

6. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t get a matching domain name.

Look for a company name also available for registration as a domain (ideally, as a .com domain).

You should understand that .com domains are prevalent, and you’ll struggle to find available domains that match your company name.

A strong and memorable name that requires a descriptor for the domain name is often much better than a less memorable name for which you can exactly match the domain.

7. Consider whether you can obtain a trademark.

It’s essential to ensure that your competitors are not using the same name in your industry.

It’s not uncommon to find similar (or identical names) in different industries, but this can confuse your customers and vendors.

If your competitors are using the same name – you’ll expose yourself to possible litigation, and you’ll likely be unable to obtain trademark protection for your company name. Since intellectual property is valuable, this is not something you should take for granted.

So, select a company name that you’ll be able to register for trademark/servicemark protection .

Trademark rights arise only through commerce (when you offer items for sale and use the trade name or logo in your marketing materials or on the products). You are not required to register a company name – you can acquire common law rights simply by using the name in commerce.

8. Conduct a Secretary of State search.

You’ll likely want to register your business with the Secretary of State. Most states require some form of registration for you to operate a business lawfully in the state.

Most entrepreneurs and business owners register their business as an LLC or corporation to insulate themselves from personal liability.

Hire an expert to form your company and save time. Our trusted partners can help: Northwest ($39 + state fee) or Bizee ($199 + state fee) . We recommend Northwest. After evaluating the leading registration companies, Northwest stands out as our top choice due to its competitive pricing, exceptional customer support, and commitment to privacy. Pay just $39 + state fees and you'll get a free year of registered agent service, articles of organization, privacy, and client support from local experts.

You can search your state’s records to ensure no business registrations with identical or similar-sounding names.

This is especially important if you operate your business under an assumed or trade name that differs from your company’s legal name. In such cases, you must register a DBA (doing business as) with your Secretary of State. For about DBAs, take a look at this comprehensive DBA guide .

9. Avoid naming trends.

You’ll want your company’s name to evolve as trends evolve, so be careful to identify the trends and avoid following them.

For example, in the late 1990s, using a .com after a company name was trendy if it was an Internet business. After the Internet “bubble” burst, “.com” became synonymous with having no business model, and those companies who survived very quickly dropped “.com” from their names.

10. Avoid obscure words.

Company names that help tell stories can be powerful and memorable (think about Google , for example). But obscure words or references might be difficult to spell or pronounce. Be especially sensitive when trying to reach a mass audience (such as on the Internet).

Obscure or invented names can work – Xerox is a great example – but this often requires a huge marketing budget and effort.

Want a checklist to help you start your business?

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assignment of business name

11. Avoid plain words.

Plain words make it very difficult to differentiate your company from your competitors.

Writing a business plan?

12. be careful with geographic names..

Some people use their city, state, or region as part of their company name.

If you plan only to work in your city, this might serve you well. But a geographic name could hinder you later.

One great example is Minnesota Manufacturing and Mining. Initially, the name worked because the business was focused on Minnesota. But once the company grew beyond its industry and the state of Minnesota, it needed to find a new name – 3M.

13. Keep the name short, simple, and easy to write and remember.

Think about the names of companies you admire. They typically have a few things in common: their names are short, simple, easy to write, and remember. (Examples: Apple, Google, Tesla, Slack).

Obscure business names are often difficult to write and even more challenging to remember.

Plus, obscure names typically make it harder to design a company logo  for your business.

This is a problem because word-of-mouth advertising is the most successful form of marketing for most startups and small businesses. If your customers can’t remember your name or spell it for others, it will make it difficult for them to help promote your business.

While it might be tempting, avoid using a “K” in place of a “Q” or a “Ph” in place of an “F” when coming up with your company name. Such letter substitutions make spelling the name very difficult.

Starting a new business?

14. the name is only part of your brand identity..

A memorable business name is essential. But your brand identity is much more, including your company logo, business website, and more.

Don’t expand your name to tell your company’s full story . You’ll need to build a complete brand identity.

15. Set a time limit.

Some people can get bogged down naming their companies for months. Yes, it sounds crazy, but it’s true.

Don’t get distracted.

Finding a unique name is impossible, so don’t set that as a goal. Find something unique that stands out in your industry and doesn’t have much competition in search engine results. You have to differentiate, but you don’t need to find a name nobody has ever used. And if you get stuck, you can always try a business name generator to generate ideas.

16. Trust your target audience.

Naming is an art and a science. Some names may have slightly negative associations, but depending on your audience, that might not be a problem.

For example, many people love “Chilean Sea Bass”. This is an invented name for a fish called “Patagonian toothfish.” Few people want to eat a “toothfish,” but sea bass sounds excellent.

17. Be open-minded.

To find an unusual and memorable name, you must be open-minded. And you have to be brave.

If you’re merely comfortable with some names but not excited by them, you can be sure that your target audience will probably feel the same way about those names.

18. Think like your customers.

You should love the name, but it’s more important that your customers and prospects love it.

You might have some personal reasons why a particular name isn’t perfect for you. But, if it’s ideal for the business or your customers, you should ignore personal reasons.

19. Good is better than perfect.

Let’s face it: we all want a perfect, short, memorable name that’s easy to spell, remember, and fun to pronounce. Plus, one that has an exact match domain available.

But wanting something and finding it are different things.

Few names are perfect when you first consider them. Few names will match all of your naming criteria. But if you look for perfection, you may spend many months trying to name your business instead of launching it and working to grow it. Make intelligent, reasonable choices, and don’t let the search for perfection delay your launch.

How to check a name for potential problems

Although you won’t personally be able to do a full search and confirm that the name you want to use is legally available, there are steps you should check to identify any potential problems with possible names.

First, consider whether you can trademark the name. You can search the USPTO trademark database , for example, and search on Google to see if you can identify other companies using the name you’re considering.

Second, look at popular social networks like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and others to see if your name is available for registration. In a perfect world, you can reserve the name on all relevant social networks. But most people will have to make some compromises since it would be very unusual for a name to be available on all networks.

We hope that you have the tools to come up with a terrific and memorable name for your new business, product, or organization with these insights and tips.

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Assignment of Trade Name

An Assignment of Trade Name is used to transfer a registered trade name from one party to another.

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If your company does business under another name, you must register that name with the state. For example, you may own ABC Corp, and it is operating a bar called A Big Club, that's the DBA (Doing Business As) name.

Your services or your product is associated with that name, and that is how the clients know you. If you ever want to sell or assign the trade name's rights to another entity, you have to use an Assignment of Trade Name.

What Is an Assignment of Trade Name?

Without a proper assignment, the new owner of the trade name does not officially own the registered DBA's legal rights. If you are selling your company, the Assignment of Trade name is only one of the steps required to complete the transfer.

However, you could be assigning the trade name if you're restructuring the company too. If there is a monetary exchange, the Assignment of Trade Name should reflect that.

Other Names for Assignment of Trade Name

Depending on your state, the Assignment of Trade Name may also be known as:

  • Assignment of Assumed Name
  • Trade Name Assignment
  • Assignment of Registered Trade Name
  • Assignment of Fictitious Name
  • Assignment of D/B/A

Who Needs an Assignment of Trade Name?

Whenever there is a change in ownership in a trade name, the Assignment of Trade Name is required. Without it, there are no legal grounds for the assignee to stand on. This contract ensures there is no confusion as to the rightful owner of the trade name.

Why Use 360 Legal Forms for Your Assignment of Trade Name

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Create your own documents by answering our easy-to-understand questionnaires to get exactly what you need out of your Assignment of Trade Name.

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All you have to do is fill out a simple questionnaire, print, and sign. No printer? No worries. You and other parties can even sign online.

How to Create an Assignment of Trade Name with 360 Legal Forms

The Assignment of Trade Name is neither complicated nor trivial, just as long as you have the correct details. It is always preferable to not waste time outlining the form and go straight to entering the details, which you can do with a ready-to-go template.

Let 360 Legal Forms help with our extensive library of attorney-vetted legal forms. The process is fast and easy. All you have to do is fill out our easy-to-understand questionnaire. Once complete, simply download your form as a PDF or Word document from your secure online account.

What Information Will I Need to Create My Assignment of Trade Name?

To create your document, please provide:

  • Trade Name : The officially registered trade name on file.
  • Assignor : The legal name and contact information of the owner of the trade name.
  • Assignee : The legal name and contact information of the entity buying the trade name.
  • Registration Number : The registration number of the trade name on the state level.
  • State: The state where the trade name was registered.
  • Effective Date : The date when the assignment is to go into effect.
  • Assignment Details : General explanation, additional clauses, and provisions.
  • Signatures: Both parties must sign the assignment form.

Assignment of Trade Name Terms

  • Assignment : The legal transfer of a right
  • Subcontract : A contract assigning part of the work to somebody else
  • Corporation : A popular company structure
  • LLC : Limited liability company, another popular company structure
  • Logo : A symbol or small artwork identifying a brand
  • DBA: Doing Business As
  • Fictitious : A nonexistent entity used in legal documentation
  • Copyright : The right to an intellectual property
  • Sole Proprietorship : The most common business structure in the United States, owned and operated by one person

Assignment of Trade Name Signing Requirements

For the Assignment of Trade Name to be legally binding, both parties need to sign it. Even though notarization is not required by law, many choose to use a notary public as an additional security layer for the signatures.

What to Do with Your Assignment of Trade Name

After both parties sign the Assignment of Trade Name, the assignor would officially assign the trade name to the assignee. They may have to pay a visit to the county clerk and take it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Trade Name is what a company or person officially uses to do business. It is the first step in building a brand, but it has also certain limits in use. On the other hand, a trademark is officially registered with the trademark office. Trade names and trademarks are registered separately. Furthermore, a trademark requires federal registration.

Although these are much more alike than the trade name, a brand name has yet to be trademarked. So, if you want your brand name to be protected, you will have to register it as a trademark.

After you have established a company, if you want to use a different name you can go to the county recorder’s office and ask for a registration form. You may have to pay a registration fee that varies by jurisdiction. Keep in mind that filing for a trade name is all there is - you still have to get all relevant permits and licenses.

Both trade names and trademarks require occasional renewal. For a trade name, this might be different depending on the state. You might want to inquire about it when you file for the name about if and when you would have to renew it. Since a trademark requires registration at the federal level, it is fairly well-known that you have to renew every ten years. You can even renew it earlier and it comes with a six-month grace period after the expiration.

As a sole proprietor, you will still have to register your trade name if you are doing business under that name. That is if you do not want someone to steal your name after you have made it famous. To be on the safe side, it is best to check with your county’s office about the instructions. Additionally, you can hire an attorney to help you sort out the paperwork.

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Users that make a Assignment of Trade Name sometimes need additional documents.

  • Agreement Assignment
  • Copyright Assignment
  • Trademark Consent Agreement
  • Trademark Assignment
  • Release and Right to Use Image and Likeness

I’m Selling my Business. How Do I Transfer the Business Name?

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By Evangelia Douventzidis Legal Project Manager and Lawyer

Updated on April 19, 2018 Reading time: 5 minutes

This article meets our strict editorial principles. Our lawyers, experienced writers and legally trained editorial team put every effort into ensuring the information published on our website is accurate. We encourage you to seek independent legal advice. Learn more .

Reasons to Transfer the Business Name

Selling the business name, the transfer process: a step-by-step checklist, after transferring your business name, stopping the transfer if your sale falls through, key takeaways.

When selling your business , you will most likely need to transfer the business name to the new owner. However, the sale of business process can be detailed, and you need to follow it carefully to ensure you are not breaching your sale of business agreement. This article will set out the reasons why you need to transfer your business name and provide a step-by-step checklist to navigating the process.

If you are selling your business , you will need to transfer the business name during the settlement process . Goodwill is often attached to the business name, since your clients recognise and associate your reputation with the name you operate under. This goodwill is often a large portion of the sale price.

Most sale of business contracts will include a clause about the business name and require you to apply to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) for an ASIC key, if you have not done so already. This forms part of the transfer process.

Typically, seven days before the settlement date, you must also apply to ASIC for a ‘Consent to Transfer Number’. You must then provide the number to the purchaser so they can complete the transfer. This is set out further in the checklist below.

If you are selling your business at a value that includes goodwill , the sale price will often include your business name. This is because you cannot separate your goodwill from the rest of your business: it is tied to your business’ reputation and client base.

Your purchaser will typically want goodwill included as part of the sale if they want to continue your brand identity. Otherwise, they will simply be purchasing your equipment and assets. Your goodwill will benefit the purchaser in a competitive market, since you have an established business and client base. Goodwill also includes any intellectual property connected to your business, for example, trade marks for your business name, logo or slogan.

If you do not wish to sell your business name, think about your reasons for holding onto it so you can explain these to your purchaser.

If there is a renewal period on your business name, this is non-transferable. You will also not be able to receive a refund of your renewal fees.

For the 28 day period after you submit your transfer, two identical business names may appear on the register, reflecting both your ownership and the new purchaser’s.

If your sale does not go through, you will need to cancel your transfer request within four months of the date of your application. If you do not, others will be able to register your business name.

To cancel your business name, you will need to contact ASIC. ASIC will not be able to stop the transfer if your registration has been cancelled or if the purchaser has registered, or applied to register, your business name.

If these events have not occurred, you can email ASIC at [email protected] to request that the transfer is stopped. You will need to include:

  • the transfer number;
  • your business name; and
  • why you need to stop the transfer.

ASIC will review your request and respond within five business days.

The sale of business process is intricate, including the process to transfer the business name. It is extremely important you follow the process carefully to ensure the transfer is successful and you comply with the sale of business agreement.

If you need assistance with selling your business, contact LegalVision’s sale of business lawyers on 1300 544 755 or fill out the form on this page.

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United States Patent and Trademark Office - An Agency of the Department of Commerce

Trademark assignments: Transferring ownership or changing your name

Assignment Center

Trademark owners may need to transfer ownership or change the name on their application or registration. This could happen while your trademark application is pending or after your trademark has registered. Use Assignment Center to transfer ownership or to request a change in name. See our how-to guide for trademarks on using Assignment Center.

Here are examples of common reasons:

  • I’ve sold my business and need to transfer ownership of the trademark. This is a transfer of ownership called an assignment.
  • I got married just after I filed my application and my last name changed.  This is a name change of the owner. 

There are fees associated with recording assignments, name changes, and other ownership-type changes with the USPTO. See the Trademark Services Fee Code “8521” on the current fee schedule to find the specific fee amount.

See the correcting the owner name page to learn if you can correct an error in the owner's name that does not require an assignment.

Limitations based on filing basis

Intent-to-use section 1(b) applications.

If you’re transferring ownership to a business successor for the goods or services listed in your identification, you can file your assignment at any time. In all other cases, you must wait until after you file an  Amendment to Allege Use or a Statement of Use before you file your assignment. For more information, see the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP)  section 501.01(a) . 

Madrid Protocol section 66(a) U.S. applications and registrations

All ownership changes involving international registrations must be filed with the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Follow the guidance on the WIPO website about changing ownership or changing an owner’s or holder’s name. See the  TMEP section 502.02(b) for more information.

How to update ownership information

Submit a request to transfer ownership or change the name.

Use Assignment Center to submit your request to transfer ownership or change the owner name for your U.S. application or registration. You will need to fill out a cover sheet with certain information and may also need to upload supporting documents, depending on the type of change. Also, be prepared to pay the Trademark Services Fee Code “8521” on the current fee schedule .

You'll receive a notice of recordation or non-recordation

In about seven days, look for your notice. If you don’t receive one, contact the Assignment Recordation Branch . The Notice of Non-Recordation will explain the reason your request to record was denied. Here are four common reasons: 

  • A critical piece of information was omitted from the cover sheet. 
  • The document is illegible or not scannable. 
  • The information on the cover sheet and the supporting document do not match. 
  • The assignment was not transferred with the good will of the business. 

USPTO trademark database will be automatically updated after recordation

Once recorded, the trademark database should reflect the new owner information or name change. Check the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system to see if the owner information has been updated. See below for information about what to do if the database isn’t updated.

What to do if the USPTO trademark database isn’t updated

In some cases, the USPTO will not automatically update the trademark database to show the change in ownership or name. This could happen when the execution date conflicts with a previously recorded document or multiple assignments have the same execution date on the same date. For more information, see TMEP section 504.01 . 

If the trademark database wasn’t updated and your trademark has not published in the Trademark Official Gazette yet, and you need to respond to an outstanding USPTO letter or office action, use the appropriate Response form to request the update of the owner information. If you don’t have a response due, use the Voluntary Amendment form . To do this,

  • Answer “yes” to the question at the beginning of the form that asks if you need to change the owner’s name or entity information.
  • Enter the new name in the “Owner” field in the “Owner Information” section of the form.

Your request to update the owner information will be reviewed by a USPTO employee and entered, if appropriate. To request the owner information be updated manually when your trademark has already published or registered, use the appropriate form listed in the “Checking the USPTO trademark database for assignment/name change” section below.

If you made an error in your Assignment Center cover sheet 

Immediately call the Assignment Recordation Branch to request possible suspension of the recordation. The recordation may be suspended for two days. You’ll be instructed to email the specialist you speak with requesting the cancellation and that a refund be issued. However, if the assignment has already been recorded, your request will be denied. You must then follow the procedures outlined in the TMEP section 503.06 to make any corrections to the assignment.

We strongly recommend filing these changes online using Assignment Center , which will record your changes in less than a week. It is possible to request these changes by paper using the Recordation Form Cover Sheet and mailing the cover sheet, any supporting documentation, and fee to: 

Mail Stop Assignment Recordation Branch Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PO Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

If you file by paper, we will record your changes within 20 days of filing. 

Checking the USPTO trademark database for assignment /name change

After you receive a Notice of Recordation, wait one week before checking to see if the owner information has been updated in your application or registration in the trademark database. Follow these instructions:

  • Go to TSDR .
  • Enter the application serial number or registration number.
  • Select the “Status” button.
  • Scroll down to the “Current Owner(s) Information” section. 
  • Check to see that your owner information was updated correctly.

If the owner information hasn’t yet been updated, go to the “Prosecution History” section in TSDR to see the status of the assignment or name change. It can take up to seven days to see an entry in the Prosecution History regarding the assignment. If an entry shows "Ownership records not automatically updated," you will need to submit a TEAS form making the owner or name change manually.

The form you need depends on where your application is in the process.

  • If your trademark has not published in the Trademark Official Gazette yet, use the TEAS Response to Examining Attorney Office Action form or the TEAS Voluntary Amendment form . If you are responding to an outstanding USPTO Office action regarding your application or registration, use the TEAS response form.
  • If your trademark has published but hasn't registered, use the TEAS Post-Publication Amendment form . 
  • If your trademark is registered , use the TEAS Section 7 Request form . A fee is required.

Updating your correspondence information

If your ownership information is automatically updated in TSDR , you must ensure your correspondence information, including any attorney information, is also updated. To update your correspondence or attorney information, use the TEAS Change of Address or Representation (CAR) form . This form cannot be used to change the owner name.

For further information, see TMEP Chapter 500 and look at the frequently asked questions .

Additional information about this page

Fictitious Business Name Statement

Jump to section.

A fictitious business name statement is a legal document filed with the appropriate government agency to register the business with a name other than the owner. This statement allows the public to identify the true owner of the business and provides a record of the business name being used. Let us delve deeper to understand the fictitious business name statement in detail.

Key Information on a Fictitious Business Name Statement

When a business operates under a name that differs from the owner's legal name, many jurisdictions require the business to file a fictitious business name statement to ensure transparency and prevent deception. The statement includes the following information:

  • Fictitious Business Name: The name under which the business operates. It is the alternate name of the entity that can be used for official purposes.
  • Legal Name of the Business Owner(s): The full legal name(s) of the individual(s) or entity that owns the business. It specifies the person or organization’s name who owns the business.
  • Business Address: The physical address where the business is located. It is the official location from where the entity commutes with all parties.
  • Business Type: The type of business entity , such as sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. It specifies the category under which the organization operates its activities.
  • County or State of Filing: The jurisdiction where the statement is filed. It is a legal specificity that is a must-have in the official statement.

Legal Considerations for Fictitious Business Name Statements

When filing a fictitious business name statement, also known as a DBA (Doing Business As) statement, there are several legal considerations to remember. Understanding the legal requirements and implications of registering a fictitious business name is essential. Here are some key considerations:

  • Meeting Registration Requirements: Research the specific registration requirements for fictitious business names in your jurisdiction. Different states, counties, or cities may have varying rules and procedures for filing a DBA statement. Determine the applicable government agency responsible for handling fictitious business name registrations and follow their guidelines as mentioned.
  • Verifying Name Availability: Conduct a thorough search before filing a DBA statement to ensure the desired fictitious business name is not already used. Check online and offline sources, including business directories, trademark databases, and local business registries. Avoid using a name similar to an existing business or protected by trademark law to prevent legal disputes.
  • Avoiding Restricted Names: Some jurisdictions may restrict certain words or phrases in fictitious business names. Certain terms, such as "bank," "university," or "government," may require additional permissions or approvals. Understand any restrictions or guidelines related to naming conventions in your jurisdiction to ensure compliance.
  • Ensuring Intellectual Property Considerations: Registering a fictitious business name does not provide trademark protection. You may need to pursue separate trademark registration if you intend to establish exclusive rights to your business name or logo. Consult with a trademark attorney to understand the intellectual property implications and explore the possibility of trademark protection.
  • Publishing Public Notice: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be required to publish a notice of your fictitious business name in a local newspaper or other designated publications. This serves as a public notification of your business name and allows interested parties to raise objections or concerns. Follow the publication requirements and timelines specified by the governing agency.
  • Enforcing Business Entity Considerations: A DBA statement does not create a separate legal entity. It allows a business to operate under a name different from its legal name but does not change the underlying business structure. Ensure that you comply with the legal requirements for your specific business entity, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, in addition to filing the fictitious business name statement.
  • Handling Renewals and Updates: Fictitious business name registrations typically have expiration dates. Be aware of the renewal process and deadlines to ensure your registration remains active and compliant. Additionally, if any changes to the information provided in the original DBA statement, such as a change in business address or ownership, promptly update the registration with the relevant authorities.

assignment of business name

Nicholas M.

assignment of business name

Benefits of Fictitious Business Name Statements

A fictitious business name statement, also known as a DBA (Doing Business As) statement, offers several benefits for businesses operating under a name different from their legal name. Here are some advantages of obtaining a fictitious business name statement:

  • Establishing Legitimacy and Transparency: Businesses establish market legitimacy and transparency by registering a fictitious business name. It provides clarity to customers, suppliers, and partners about the true identity of the business and the individuals or entities behind it. This helps build trust and credibility.
  • Ensuring Compliance with Legal Requirements: Many jurisdictions require businesses operating under a name other than their legal name to file a fictitious business name statement. Complying with these regulations helps businesses avoid potential legal issues and penalties. It demonstrates a commitment to following local laws and regulations.
  • Enhancing Brand Name and Marketing: Registering a fictitious business name allows businesses to create a distinct brand identity and differentiate themselves from competitors. It provides the flexibility to choose a name that aligns with their marketing strategy, target audience, and desired brand image. A well-chosen fictitious name can enhance brand recognition and recall.
  • Facilitating Banking and Financing: With a fictitious business name statement, businesses can open bank accounts and conduct financial transactions under their chosen name. This simplifies banking processes and allows for better financial management. It also facilitates obtaining loans and financing, as financial institutions typically require businesses to provide proof of their legal existence.
  • Protecting Legal Rights: Registering a fictitious business name helps protect the business's legal rights. It establishes a public record of the name used and provides a basis for legal recourse in trademark infringement or other disputes. This protection can safeguard the business's reputation, assets, and intellectual property.
  • Promoting Expansion and Growth: If a business intends to operate in multiple locations or offer different products or services under different names, having a registered fictitious name simplifies the process. It allows for greater flexibility and scalability without establishing separate legal entities for each endeavor.

Key Terms for Fictitious Business Name Statements

  • Fictitious Business Name: A name under which a business operates that is different from its legal name.
  • Doing Business As (DBA): The legal term describes a business operating under a fictitious name.
  • Registration: The process of officially filing a fictitious business name statement with the relevant government agency to establish the use of the name.
  • Public Notice: The requirement to publish a notice of the fictitious business name in a local newspaper or designated publication to inform the public of the business's name change.
  • Renewal: Extending or updating the fictitious business name registration after the initial registration period has expired typically requires regular renewals to keep the registration active.

Final Thoughts on Fictitious Business Name Statements

A fictitious business name statement is an essential legal tool for companies operating under a name that differs from their legal name. By registering a fictitious business name, businesses can enhance their legitimacy, establish transparency, comply with legal requirements, and protect their brand identity. It provides a means for businesses to navigate the complexities of operating under a distinct name while ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding their reputation. A well-executed fictitious business name statement fosters trust with customers and partners and empowers businesses to thrive and grow in a competitive marketplace.

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I am an experienced Intellectual Property attorney registered with the USPTO and have managed my solo practice for over a decade. As part of my practice, I handle trademark and patent concerns for my clients. I’ve performed extensive prior art searches, drafted patent applications, and prosecuted patents across a broad range of technologies. I've helped my clients secure protection for both standard character and special form marks across a a variety of classes from candles to dog collars. I believe, as an IP attorney, that I can facilitate the development of new technologies by protecting your rights from infringement or helping you enter the market by establishing those rights from the ground up. More importantly, I believe it should be an open and affordable process that’s accessible to anyone pushing the bounds of innovation.

LaKesha S. on ContractsCounsel

I am LaKesha B. Shahid, managing partner of Shahid & Hosea LLC. We focus primarily in domestic relations. We strive to make our clients our top priority.

Starcee R. on ContractsCounsel

Mrs. Rivera graduated from Palmetto High School in 2009 and went on to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. After graduating from Florida State University with a B.S. degree in Criminology and a minor in Philosophy in April 2012, she went on to attend the University of Central Florida where she earned a M.S. Degree in Criminal Justice in August 2013. That same month, She started law school at Stetson University College of Law. ​ While in Law school, Mrs. Rivera participated on Stetsons #1 Trial team. In May 2016, Mrs. Rivera graduated with her law degree and in December 2016, Mrs. Rivera obtained her Masters in Law from Stetson University through its Joint J.D./LL.M degree in Advocacy program. Mrs. Rivera was a part of the first graduating class for this joint program at Stetson University. ​ As a Law student, Mrs. Rivera was a law clerk at a well-known plaintiffs employment law firm in Tampa, FL and also interned for the Honorable Judge Edward Larose of the Second District Court of Appeal where she was able to draft PCA opinions draft legal opinions that were ultimately published. Mrs. Rivera also went on to participate as a Certified Legal Intern (CLI) with the 6th Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender in Pinellas County, FL and an Intern for LegalAid of Manasota in Sarasota, FL. ​ After Law School, Mrs. Rivera began her legal career working as a Public Defender with the Ninth Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender in Orlando, FL. During her time as a Public Defender, Mrs. Rivera litigated more than 20 trials, representing both adults and juveniles accused of Misdemeanor and Felony offenses. After engaging in extensive civil, criminal and family law litigation, Mrs. Rivera decided it was time to finally open Allstarr Legal, P.A. in order to provide both affordable and quality legal representation to the people of the State of Florida. Mrs. Rivera practices throughout the entire state of Florida.

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I am a multi-degreed attorney with more than 17 years of criminal trial experience and more than 15 as a general legal consultant. I'm licensed to practice in New York State.

Dimitry K. on ContractsCounsel

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10 Tips For Taking On Any Naming Assignment Naming takes more than a creative mind, a fluent voice, and a critical eye, here are some simple steps.

By Christian Turner • Nov 2, 2015

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Way upstream -near the original inspiration for any company, product, or project- founders quickly realize that they need a name. Otherwise, how do you tell your friends what you're working on? How do you label a file or folder? How do you settle on a subject line for an email to your scheming partner?

Sometimes the name we talk about years later -like Facebook- is there from the beginning, a part of the original idea itself. But often enough, R&D begins and a business plan is agreed upon under a placeholder. Maybe it's generic, like "Travel App," or overtly beta, like "Project Atlas," or casually personal, like "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web" (which eventually changed to Yahoo!). Regardless of what it is, the placeholder is meant to go away.

But as anyone who has been through the naming wringer knows, that's easier said than done. There are a great many reasons not to choose a name. Everyone turns out to be an expert and a critic, and they are often at odds with each other. Each name you propose is met with rival riffs and counter suggestions. The possibilities pile up, heads swim, the wheels begin to spin, and before you know it -as progress is made on all other fronts- you're bogged down picking through loads of rubbish.

It can be exasperating. Naming takes more than a creative mind , a fluent voice, and a critical eye. Success requires the right perspective from the outset and proper procedures throughout. Here are some simple steps to help:

1. Give It Time

While a proper deadline can be your best friend, good naming takes time- time to explore and discover, time to ride a dark horse, time to support a big idea. Remember: your name is a key strategic asset, not a tactical project task. The right name will outlast every business correction and marketing campaign.

2. Restrict Access

Nothing is gained by polling a crowd. It feels like the right thing to do, but it's not. No two opinions are the same and inevitably the result is over-caution and paralysis. Go ahead and review the assignment with stakeholders, but review name candidates only with decision makers. You don't really need consensus anyway. You either need a) the top dog to pick a bone, or b) a quorum of senior leadership .

3. Work Outside In

Don't trouble yourself too much over the brief. Don't exhaust yourself before you get started. It's hard to describe what you can't yet imagine. Keep it simple and aim your team in the right general direction. Instead commit to looking at many, many names. If a name is intriguing, see if you can retrofit the rationale. Chances are the gears have been turning all along.

4. Mix It Up

You may think you know your type, but life is full of surprises. Try to break the conventions you see in the names of your competitors. Look at your opportunity in new and varied ways. For example: having a name that clearly cues a category or suggests a benefit can be the right or wrong approach. It really depends. You'll feel better about your just dessert if you first sample every flavor.

5. Follow Your Instincts

Great names don't grow from grids. Avoid checking boxes to pick the winner. Your nose will lead you, your eyes will return to any standouts, and your ears will vibrate to silent frequencies. Your name sets the tone. So open yourself up and do it with feeling. Find your way in the dark. It can be illuminating.

6. Send A Signal

This essentially means: send a strong signal rather than a weak message. Whatever the name –and I repeat, whatever the name- a great many things will need to be explained: products, prices, services, suites, bundles, specials, teams, tiers, partnerships, initiatives, investments, markets, territories, terms, conditions, and all the rest. No name can tell the whole story. The best you can hope for is a name that makes an impression , lingers in the mind, and creates the right kind of expectations in your audience.

7. Expect Losses

You have to be willing to let a good name go. Even your favorite. Establishing the viability of each name candidate on your short list is the least understood part of the process- as well as the part that often has the greatest impact on the outcome. Trademark availability alone can ruin your best-laid plans, especially if your ambitions run global in popular sectors like technology and FMCG. Add in language checks (so you don't put your foot in your mouth in Turkish, Thai or Tagalog) and any top-level domain (TLD) considerations and the name you grow to love over the coming years may well be the name your lawyers allow you to use today. The key here is to identify obstacles that cannot be overcome and, once you've done so, move along to the next name, all the wiser, with only a modicum of fuss.

8. Look To The Future

There's not much sense in calling your company JustShirts if, tomorrow, you're going to add pants to your repertoire. Again, you've got to get this right. The last thing you want to change is your name. Anticipate alterations. Suspect surprises. Don't box yourself in. Everyone worries about first exposure to a name. The real test is whether your name remains pliant and purposeful to employees and customers alike when used for the millionth time. Great names add wind to the sails. Weak names eventually act as a drag that requires extra work from everyone to overcome.

9. Count On Context

The name will be more plausible, not less, in action in the wild. When you come right down to it, people are receptive to new ideas that enter the world we know. We understand our surroundings. The new name fits in simply because it showed up. Sure, big launches from top brands are subject to increased scrutiny and criticized for a week, but even those furors fade quickly. Truthfully, when your name becomes your brand - supported visually , explained verbally, introduced with a handshake and a business card, underpinned by product packaging and mobile interface- we will all accept it as we should, as you intended.

10. Be Brave

Consider breaking the mold. The names we celebrate after the fact are the groundbreakers, trailblazers, and trendsetters. Fine enough. That's easy to do, to back certified success. I knew it all along… But trailblazers begin as outliers. Supporting an outlier among colleagues long before launch is much harder to do. Yet that's what has to happen. The next big idea needs a champion. That champion needs to be passionate and persuasive . That champion needs to be you.

Naming Director EMEA, Siegel + Gale

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173 Freelance Writing Business Names that Pay the Bills

Freelance Writing Business Names

Have you decided to become a freelance writer? Congratulations on taking a leap toward becoming your own boss! When starting a freelancing career, it’s critical to have a business name that reflects your personal brand. Your business name is the first thing people will see before you even present yourself. To ensure you can start off on the right foot, we’re sharing hundreds of catchy freelance writing business name ideas that you can use as inspiration for your business name.

If you’re thinking of starting a freelance writing business, you undoubtedly want to stand out from the competition. Writing businesses are popping up all over the market, and to get a leg up on your competition it’s important to give your business a name that has some personality.

With so many options at your fingertips, sometimes searching for business name ideas can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here!

We’ve compiled a list of awesome freelance writing business name ideas to help kickstart your creativity and make things easier on you.

Not all of these names will be suitable for your niche or country they are operating out of, but hopefully, this list gives you some creative sparks. 

Let’s get started!

Catchy Freelance Writer Business Names

If you’ve made up your mind that it’s time to start working for yourself and take the leap into freelance writing, then finding the perfect name for your business should be at the top of your list.

There’s no denying that your business name is important. Your freelance writing business name can be a signal to the clients that you aim for. It says a lot about you and your commitment to what you’re offering.

When selecting a name for your freelancing business, it’s important to pick something memorable, meaningful and catchy, that resonates with your target audience.

With that in mind, we have gathered a lot of catchy freelance writing business name ideas for you to choose from. Take a look!

  • Writer Flow
  • Content Castle
  • Copy Center
  • Vibrant Content
  • Awesome Words
  • Word Weaver
  • Content Guru
  • Freelance Ninja
  • Writing Success
  • Penning Profit
  • Stellar Copywriter
  • Profitable Words
  • Speedy Content
  • Affluent Writer
  • Serendipity Writes
  • Fast Freelance
  • The Flex Writer
  • Guerrilla Writing
  • Write By Demand
  • The Freelance Flow
  • Specialty Writers
  • Content is King
  • The Content Cat
  • Writing Path
  • Writer’s Edge 
  • Lead Words 
  • Content Hive
  • Word Weaverz
  • Word Partner
  • Writer Girl Inc
  • Brainstorm Pro 
  • Ace Freelance Writer
  • First-Draft Writers LLC
  • The Writer Hut
  • All Seasons Freelance Writer
  • Ambitious Writer
  • Assured Freelance Writer
  • Authoritative Writer
  • Bold Creative
  • Helping Hand 
  • Little Miss Freelance
  • Writing For Success
  • The Writer’s Niche
  • Write on the Side
  • Write It Up
  • Outwrite Your Competition
  • Penning Profit First
  • Absolutely Awesome Writing
  • Get it Written Fast! (GiWF)
  • Freelance Writing Buddy
  • Freelance Nomad
  • Essential Essay Services
  • Express Write
  • Awesome Copywriters
  • Professional Plus
  • Digi-Writer
  • Writing Empire

Creative Freelance Writing Company Names

Planning to start a freelance writing company but can’t find a business name that matches your perfectionist standards? No worries, you’re not alone!

A name can say a lot about a business. A great business name can really help set you apart from other writers and grow your brand recognition. You should aim for something that immediately draws attention to your services.

We have put together a collection of creative freelance writing company name ideas that’ll get your creative gears rolling and help you land on an ideal one for your company.

  • Write it Right
  • The Content Diva
  • Writing to the Point
  • Write Anything
  • Custom Writing Pros
  • The Writing Goddess
  • The Word Factory
  • The Writer’s Place
  • Butterfly Effect Writing
  • The Write Angle
  • Writer’s Hub
  • Avant-Garde Writing
  • The Write Choice
  • Wanderer Writer
  • Get It Written
  • Dragon Writer
  • Wordville Writers
  • Scribble Writer
  • Creative Frenzy
  • Rapid Rewriter
  • Monkey Writer
  • Writer’s Den
  • Writer Babe
  • Write Place
  • Inspire Wordz
  • Creative Writing Whiz
  • The Small Business Writer
  • Elite Writers Club
  • Thoughtful Pen
  • Cutting Edge Writers
  • Ace Freelance Writing
  • Content Crafter
  • The Write Way

Unique Freelance Writing Business Names

Freelance writing businesses are becoming more and more popular in today’s job economy. People are coming to know that they can make money from their writing skills, even if they are not full-time writers.

As an aspiring freelance writer, you know how important it is to stand out. But with rising competition in this industry, it is becoming difficult to come up with a unique name. There are so many names that just sound bad or too similar to other businesses.

To save you time and effort, here are some unique yet attractive freelance writing business name ideas to help you find one that fits your needs.

  • The Serious Writer
  • Words and Art
  • Write Good Now!
  • Awesome Writers
  • Brilliant Writers
  • Write And Sell
  • Responsible Writing
  • Fire-up Formatting
  • Scribbling Writer
  • Word Crafting Company
  • Writer Alchemy
  • Writer Energize
  • Express Copy
  • Freelance Pro
  • Work of Writing
  • Go Pro Writing Services
  • The Lifestyle Writer
  • Zen of Writing
  • Epic Writing
  • Licious Lettering
  • Little Miss Wordsmith
  • Resident Writer
  • Write It Down
  • Chief Writer 
  • Venture Writer
  • The Pro Writer
  • Writing Pleasure
  • Better Words
  • The Wordsmith
  • Chief Wordsmith
  • Digital Writer
  • Fountain of Writing
  • Expert Wordsmith
  • Super Writer
  • Writing Factory
  • Chief Writer
  • Creative Pro
  • The Writing Company
  • Top Level Writers
  • Passion Writers
  • Dashing Writer
  • Uniquely Writing
  • The Great Writer
  • Live Your Writer
  • Write Tribe
  • Writer Journalist
  • Writing Ninja
  • Copywriting Dynamo
  • Muse Writer
  • Writer’s Soul
  • Writer’s Tonic
  • Turning Point

How to Name Your Freelance Writing Business?

You’re about to start your own freelance writing business, and before you dive into the business world, landing your first client, you want to give some thought to the name of your company. After all, it is your brand identity and will be the first thing people notice about your business.

Your business name will be the cornerstone of your brand. It will set the tone for how potential clients perceive your services. It is an essential part of your marketing strategy and will play a big role in helping you attract and retain clients. It’s an important decision, and you should take time to make sure you get it right.

A great name can do wonders in the promotion of your business. On the other hand, having a generic or boring name for your business can make you look amateurish and unprofessional. 

Naming your freelance writing business is challenging, exciting, and a daunting task at the same time. You need to consider your business goals, the niche you are serving, and what value you bring to the table. At the same time, it should reflect the quality of your services and help you capture the attention of people looking for writers.

You need to make sure the name is easy to remember, catchy, and unique enough to stand out from the sea of competitors. 

Here are a few things to consider when naming your freelance writing business:

  • Aim for something short and catchy (not more than 3 words)
  • It should be easy to spell and remember
  • Write down ALL the things you love about your writing
  • Think about what do you want people to say about your business?
  • What do you want your clients to appreciate the most about working with you?
  • Know your target audience and what values are important to them
  • The name should help you stand out from other writing businesses in the industry
  • Have some personality in your brand name
  • Keep your potential customers in mind. Ensure the name resonates with the target audience
  • Stay away from numbers and hyphens 
  • Check for domain name availability

Conclusion: Freelance Writing Business Names

Pat yourself on the back! You’ve reached the end of this article. We hope that you’ve found this list useful and it helped you come up with an attractive name for your freelance writing business.

In order to be a successful freelance writer, you need to start off with a solid name for your business. Most freelancers just focus on their services and not the branding of their business and end up struggling to attract clients. You want to make sure that you are focusing on all the details to be successful.

Thanks for taking the time to go through this article. If you have any other nice suggestions for freelance writing business names that aren’t mentioned above, feel free to send us via email. We’d love to hear them and add them to the list. 

And as always, if you found this resource helpful, please share it with your friends! 

We do wish you great luck with your business and your freelancing career!

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Small Business Name Ideas

Andi

What’s in a brand name? Well…a lot, honestly. 

That’s why it’s often so tough to settle on a successful business name without some frame of reference. In order to properly connect with your target customers or audience, it can be incredibly helpful when your brainstorming process includes looking at naming options inspired by other businesses.

How about a list of 407 of the best small business names we could find, broken down by category, to help fuel your creativity & brainstorming process.

Let’s dig in.

Good Small Business Names

A good business name is simple. It tells you about the company and what it does. Some of the best names actually build the value proposition into the name itself. For example, when naming your LLC, you might consider a title that succinctly captures its core mission or offerings.

A good business name should also consider trademark availability. It’s important to check your shortlist of names against existing trademarks before registering your LLC.

The words used are chosen very deliberately to impart a concise description so customers can recall the name. And that’s the beauty of a good, solid small business name. When a customer or potential customer remembers the name, they are also remembering what the business does!

  • Adorn Fanfare
  • Afforda Merchant Services
  • Architectural Genie
  • Bed Threads
  • Bonanza Produce Stores
  • Bountiful Harvest Health Food Store
  • Brown Sugar Bakery
  • Buoyant Boats
  • Carle Clip Design
  • Cool And Crafty
  • Crave Restaurant
  • Creative Wealth Management
  • Dave’s Killer Bread
  • Desert Garden Help
  • Destiny Planners
  • Destiny Realty Solutions
  • Developers Thrill
  • Dollar Shave Club
  • Eat Pretty Food
  • First Choice Garden Maintenance
  • First Rate Choice
  • Food & Thought
  • Glass Advantage
  • Good Clean Chow
  • Grass Roots Yard Services
  • Ground Up Nut Butters
  • Harmony in Design
  • Health Dash
  • Helping Hand
  • High Voltage Ideas
  • High Voltage Software

NAMING TIP 🖋️ Picking a name for your business isn’t easy for most people. If you’re stuck, start with a common phrase. Creative brainstorming doesn’t always produce immediate results. Especially when there are multiple people involved with different views or opinions. If you find yourself stuck before you start, or trapped in indecision, it can be helpful to work with common phrases to help spark creativity.

🚀 Explore further : Etsy Shop Name Ideas

  • I Do Lashes
  • Imperfect Produce
  • Infinite Techniques
  • Infinite Wealth Planners
  • InTouch Software
  • Jitters Coffee Shop
  • Launchpad Web Developers
  • Liberty Wealth Planners
  • Lightley’s Wooden Toys
  • Love to Serve
  • Made With Local
  • Make My Cake
  • Minute Maintenance
  • Minuteman Maintenance
  • Mission Realty
  • Office Upkeep
  • One-Up Realtors
  • Plan Smart Partner
  • Planet Profit
  • Playformance
  • Pollywog’s Beach Gear
  • Quality Event Planner
  • Rockstable Design
  • Solution Bridge
  • Sparkle Now
  • Specific Appraisals
  • Street Harvest
  • Sunburst Garden Management
  • Superior Appraisals
  • Target Realty
  • The Event Company
  • The Taco Experience
  • Too Cool Business
  • Total Trust
  • Victor Technology
  • Wise Appraisals

young man in a small bike shop

Cute Small Business Names

Here are two quick methods for selecting a cute business name for your small business.

First, incorporate an animal into the name. Most often you want to stick to the warm & fuzzy animals that make for happy thoughts. 

Second, use the name of a food in your business name. It works better if you pair the food with another word – the sillier the better. Fruit and baked goods tend to work especially well.

And then there are just business names that are cute for reasons you can’t quite put your finger on. The common thread would be using words that evoke warm & fuzzy feelings. Sometimes it’s because the names actually use the word “cute.”

  • Barking Dog Bakery
  • Butterfly Bakeshop
  • butterfly Click
  • Happy Sloth Co.
  • Jolly bee Business
  • Jupiter Foods
  • Kitty Melody
  • Light Wings
  • Little Cobra
  • Panda Express
  • RoosterBoost
  • Survey Monkey
  • The Flying Hippo
  • The Fox and Hound
  • The Freckled Bee
  • The Frosted Fox
  • The Fussy Duck
  • The Goose and Duck
  • The Happy Bear
  • The Marvelous Mouse
  • The Polka Dot Bear Tavern
  • The Puppet Farm
  • The White Rabbit
  • The White Swan

Naming Tip : 🏎️ Consider the history of racing and incorporate it into the name. Take a trip down memory lane and consider the rich history of racing . From the early days of horse racing to the modern era of high-speed automobiles, there’s a wealth of inspiration to draw from. Incorporating elements of racing’s past into your team name can add a touch of nostalgia and honor the sport’s legacy.

📚 Dive deeper : Handmade Craft Business Name Ideas

  • Ambrosia Bakery
  • Blissful Banana Cafe
  • Blushbaby Shop
  • Brewed Awakening
  • Butter & Scotch
  • Butter Lane
  • Cinnamon Inc
  • CookieFace Cosmetics
  • Cupcakin’ Around!
  • DoughHook Bake Shop
  • Flour Power Cakery
  • Frost Me Gourmet
  • Milk Jar Cookies
  • Nantucket Nectars
  • Nim Come Soup
  • PeachyKeen Crafts
  • Smart Cookie
  • Snack Zillas
  • Spice Of Life
  • Stanza Berry
  • Sweetpea Baking Co.
  • The Cake Pop Shop
  • The Rolling Pin
  • The Sassy Onion
  • Byte This App
  • Car Caboodle
  • Cheeky girl
  • Fairy dale Business
  • Finger Licks
  • Flossy Pants
  • The Jolly Farmer

assignment of business name

Cool Small Business Names

You know a cool small business name when you see it. There’s no rhyme or reason to the format – some are long and complex; others short and powerful. But they all capture certain confidence about the brand. And it comes through in the name.

  • Al’s Intimidating Ice Cream
  • Beatbox inc
  • Cakes of Paradise
  • Chief Outsiders
  • Code Red Technology
  • Cool Solutions
  • Corner Of Cool
  • Cougar Investment
  • CrewPop Design
  • Cupcake Seduction
  • Dream Service
  • EchoPress Applications
  • Flashy House
  • Gotham Steel
  • Hashtag Web Consultants
  • Hipsterra Business
  • House of Gas
  • Indiewealth
  • Iron Clad Software
  • Jackhammer Technologies
  • Killer Panda
  • Magic Island
  • MagnaSolution
  • Marine Techies
  • Meal Rocket
  • Meeting Mania
  • Moon killer
  • Mortar Tech Solutions
  • Planted Brain
  • Professional BS
  • Ricochet Rackets
  • Rocket Foods
  • RocketSlice
  • Sage Solutions
  • Screaming Frog
  • Seven Shots
  • Sinful Methods
  • SoftRock Inc.
  • Sour Studio
  • The Bleeding Heart Bakery
  • The Code Giant
  • The Cravory
  • The Echo Chamber
  • The Stone Pony
  • Untouchable
  • Urban Butterfly
  • UrbanSmith Crafts

assignment of business name

Unique Small Business Names

Truly unique small business names are rare. It’s a tough assignment to come up with a unique business name without trying too hard and missing the mark. Usually, the most striking unique brand names are those that use odd words or phrases to catch attention.

🔍 Discover more : Amazon Business Name Ideas

  • Are You Kidding Socks
  • Codex My Project
  • Crying Rock
  • DeathWish Coffee
  • Donkey Balls Coffee and Chocolate
  • Faboocrafts
  • Flutes & Finesse
  • Gobsmacked Goods
  • Grenade Sucker
  • Jackpot Consultant
  • Just For Fun
  • JustAsk Business
  • Lavender Heart
  • Life’s Gold
  • Lost In The Stars
  • Lovely Poison

🖋️: Business name generators can help when you’re stuck early in the naming process.

If you’re researching how to name your business, you’ve undoubtedly come across different business name generators offering help. If you use a name generator and find an awesome name, great! But most often you’ll want to use business name generators as one of many sources of inspiration.

  • Millenia Life
  • Origami Crane
  • Paved Sustenance
  • Pink Brencho
  • Rich and Happy
  • Roots and Shoots
  • Savage Clown
  • Second Time Around
  • Small Giants
  • The Basket Cache
  • The Beauty Mark
  • The Cod Father
  • The Loyal Follower
  • The Time Teller
  • The War of Beauty
  • Tiny Wrestler
  • Uprising Thread Design
  • Urban Seven Hightech
  • Vibrant Man
  • Your Future Is Now

assignment of business name

Aesthetic Small Business Names

If you pay close attention, you can occasionally spot a business name that really seems to capture the spirit of the brand or product. It’s more than just being precise in description. Choosing an aesthetic small business name means being accurate with the words used, and keeping things succinct. It’s not easy coming up with an aesthetic brand name, but here are some that hit the spot:

  • Anchor Advisors
  • Autumn Winds
  • Baker & Spice
  • Castle Realty
  • Cookies & Cupcake
  • Crafty conversations
  • Flirty Girl
  • Flying Designs
  • Four Leaf Clover
  • Great Lengths
  • Green Touch
  • Happy Family
  • Honest Air Group
  • Honey Crumb Cake Studio
  • Jamba Juice
  • Life’s Abundance
  • Lucky House
  • Nature’s Emporium
  • Pearls & Gemstones
  • Platinum Skin Care
  • ProtĂŠgĂŠ Inc
  • QuickCurves
  • Sunrise Natural Foods
  • Sunset Candles
  • The Yellow Leaf
  • Thrive Encode
  • Tranquil Restaurant
  • VividSupply
  • Worry-Free Days

assignment of business name

Creative Small Business Names

In many ways, selecting a creative small business name is really the “holy grail” of brand naming. Not all businesses lend themselves to a creative name, but sometimes you see a business that you want to congratulate for being so clever and creative with its naming.

  • A Little Twisted
  • Back To Basics Chiropractic Clinic
  • Banter Books
  • CleverMores
  • Crunchilicious
  • DoodleCraft
  • ElemenOPillows
  • Fiddlesticks
  • Fish Out Of Water
  • Flutter and Wink
  • Giddy Up Applications
  • Godfather Analytics
  • Howling swede
  • just some teenager
  • KerPlunk Portable Toilets
  • Knockout Kickboxing
  • Life Of Pie
  • Lord of the Fries

🖋️: Two words. If you want the simplest advice from studying thousands of successful business names. A lot of the greats are just two words. 

Are there exceptions? Sure. You’ll see plenty of examples throughout these lists of one-word business names and others with four or five words. But the two-word business name appears most often and appears to work best for most business owners .

🗺️ Venture Ahead : Boutique Name Ideas

  • Macho Meals
  • Magical Mishmash
  • Mikro Designs
  • Mixxen Design
  • olden Grillz
  • Parts and Pieces
  • Push To Start (public relations firm)
  • Shearly Beloved
  • Shearshank Redemption
  • SmilingStretta
  • Studio 9ten
  • Sweet Cheeks Baking Company
  • Sweet E’s Bake Shop
  • Tequila Mockingbird
  • The Boring Company
  • The Daily Grind
  • The High Heelers
  • The Shakesbeer
  • Top of the Stairs
  • Topsy Turvy Trinkets
  • Umpteen Treasures
  • We’re Bi-Molar
  • Will Thrill
  • Wish You Were Beer
  • Zig Zag Children Clothes

Catchy Small Business Names

Catchy small business names are all about setting that hook in your brain the same way pop songs are designed to worm their way into your head. Many times you’ll see alliteration or rhyming used to create catchy small business names, as a way to increase chances of recall.

  • Catalyst Consulting
  • ClassyMissy
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk
  • Crafts By U
  • Dot not Thread
  • Endless Life
  • Flash In Action
  • Green Goodies
  • HappyStrings
  • Hobbyist Haven
  • Hungry Helpers
  • Laughs and Crafts
  • Luxurious Lashes
  • Man with a Plan
  • Merrymaking
  • Pasta Street
  • Raven Reads
  • Record Books
  • Semicolon Books
  • Shiny shell
  • Squatty Potty
  • Stink Stank Stunk
  • The Bottle Booth
  • The Lawn Guru
  • The Serendipity Dip

Whew! That’s a lot of names! Did you find any inspiration? 

If you’re not sure where to start, take the above lists and categories of business names and start ticking off the ones you definitely don’t like. It’s often easier to spot what you don’t like when given a huge number of options. And use the remaining names to guide your decision.

Good luck! And let us know in the comments if you have any questions or found these lists useful in your own brainstorming efforts!

Andi

Andi Khaerul Nasruddin teaches accounting and business at Ujung Pandang Polytechnic in Indonesia. When he's not screaming at his TV during NBA matches. During his free time, he enjoys writing for business sites.

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COMMENTS

  1. Overview of Business Name Assignment Agreement

    A Business Name Assignment Agreement is generally a one-sided basic short-form agreement in favour of the assignee. It confirms that the assignee will be the legal owner of the business name. The name being assigned can be a registered or unregistered business name, domain name or a trademark. If some of the rights are not assignable for any ...

  2. Free Assignment of Trade Name Form

    To create an Assignment of Trade Name, complete the following steps: 1. Provide assignor and assignee information. List the names and addresses of both the assignor and assignee. Generally, you should use a party's legal name. If you're assigning a trade name to a business, use a business address, if possible.

  3. Business Name Change

    Write to us at the address where you filed your return, informing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the name change. Note: The notification must be signed by the business owner or authorized representative. Corporation. If you are filing a current year return, mark the appropriate name change box of the Form 1120 type you are using:

  4. How to Transfer a Business Name

    3. Complete the business name transfer form by listing the business name to be transferred and the name and contact information of the current business name owner. Then list the same information ...

  5. How to Legally Change a Business's Name

    Option 1: File LLC Articles of Amendment with the state to change the business name. By filing a document called Articles of Amendment, an LLC can request to change its business name. After the state approves the Articles of Amendment, the LLC will operate under its new name and the old name will be no longer active.

  6. Deed of Transfer of Business Ownership: Everything You Need ...

    This also means the new owner will be solely financially responsible for the company's debts, taxes, etc. The new owner will need to utilize her own personal SSN when operating the business. The following steps will be taken when transferring the deed of a business: Separation of assets. Valuing the business. Changing business name.

  7. What is a Fictitious Business Name (DBA) and Why Do You Need One?

    A fictitious business name (FBN) is any name your business uses to operate other than your legal name. In some states, you must file for an assumed name certificate if your company does business under anything other than its legal name (or owner's name (s) in the case of a sole proprietorship or partnership).

  8. Legal Names Versus Trade Names in Business

    A business's legal name is the official name that appears on government and legal forms. A business's trade name is what it presents to the public. Businesses use trade names for advertising and sales purposes. A business name is a valuable asset. It helps potential customers find a company and understand its purpose.

  9. How to Legally Change Your Business Name

    SF: The first step is to make sure the new name you want complies with the formation state's LLC or corporation law. And just as the old name had to meet those requirements, the new name will as well. And don't just assume nothing has changed, because states amend their LLC and corporation laws all the time.

  10. Selling a Business Name: Everything You Need to Know

    Establish the right to sell the company's name: When a business is named after the owner and only the owner, then that individual has direct ownership of the name. For example, consider the business name of "Kevin Comstock Farms.". However, if the business name is not trademarked, then it is not protected by law without authority to sell it.

  11. The Complete Guide on How to Name a Business

    The name is only part of your brand identity. A memorable business name is essential. But your brand identity is much more, including your company logo, business website, and more. Don't expand your name to tell your company's full story. You'll need to build a complete brand identity. 15. Set a time limit.

  12. Assignment of Trade Name

    The Assignment of Trade Name is neither complicated nor trivial, just as long as you have the correct details. It is always preferable to not waste time outlining the form and go straight to entering the details, which you can do with a ready-to-go template. Let 360 Legal Forms help with our extensive library of attorney-vetted legal forms.

  13. How Do I Transfer the Business Name in a Business Sale?

    Access the 'Link a business/Request ASIC key' option from the 'Do it now' menu. You will need to answer 'Yes' and enter your: ASIC key; business name; role in the business; and. date of birth. 3. Ensure your email address is up to date and correct through the 'Lodgements and Notifications' tab. 4.

  14. Trademark assignments: Transferring ownership or changing your name

    The assignment was not transferred with the good will of the business. USPTO trademark database will be automatically updated after recordation. Once recorded, the trademark database should reflect the new owner information or name change. Check the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system to see if the owner information has been ...

  15. Assignment of Trade Name

    LegalContracts' Trade Name Assignment: Is used to legally transfer all rights to a trade name from one party to another. Can be used for registered or unregistered trade names. Is an easy to use, inexpensive alternative to hiring a legal professional to draft a Trade Name Assignment form. If you are looking to transfer a Trademark, try our ...

  16. Fictitious Business Name Statement: All You Need to Know

    A fictitious business name statement is a legal document filed with the appropriate government agency to register the business with a name other than the owner. This statement allows the public to identify the true owner of the business and provides a record of the business name being used. Let us delve deeper to understand the fictitious ...

  17. Assumed Business Names

    Beginning December 1, 2017, North Carolina has a revised set of laws about assumed business names. New Article 14A, Chapter 66 of the NC General Statutes, effective December 1, keeps the filing of assumed business name information at the registers of deeds' offices across the state and has the following new features: Allows for a 5 year ...

  18. 10 Tips For Taking On Any Naming Assignment

    Here are some simple steps to help: 1. Give It Time. While a proper deadline can be your best friend, good naming takes time- time to explore and discover, time to ride a dark horse, time to ...

  19. Fictitious Business Name Assignment

    Fictitious Business Names. Any right, title, and interest in and to said Fictitious Business Name together with the good will of business in which the name is used (or that part of the good will of the Business connected with the use of the name) is here by assigned by the above mentioned Assignor to the Assignee. Signed as of this day 3/31/2024.

  20. ASSIGNMENT OF BUSINESS NAME Sample Clauses

    Related to ASSIGNMENT OF BUSINESS NAME. Formation; Name The Company was formed by the filing of the Certificate. The Company shall be operated as a limited liability company pursuant to this Agreement and the Act. Whenever the terms of this Agreement conflict with any provision of the Act, the terms of this Agreement shall control except to the extent any provision of the Act cannot be waived ...

  21. 173 Freelance Writing Business Names that Pay the Bills

    With that in mind, we have gathered a lot of catchy freelance writing business name ideas for you to choose from. Take a look! Writer Flow. Content Castle. Copy Center. Vibrant Content. Awesome Words. Word Weaver. Content Guru.

  22. 407 Inspiring Small Business Names

    Unique Small Business Names. Truly unique small business names are rare. It's a tough assignment to come up with a unique business name without trying too hard and missing the mark. Usually, the most striking unique brand names are those that use odd words or phrases to catch attention. 🔍 Discover more: Amazon Business Name Ideas. AnyFrenz

  23. MANG6539 Individual Assignment Structure Template (2) (1) (1)

    Business document from University of Santo Tomas, 1 page, MANG6539 Strategic Branding and Luxury Marketing Assignment Structure Template Cover Page Student ID, Module Code, Assignment Title (please set your own title and include the retailer's name in the title), Word Count. Table of Contents Executive Summary

  24. Business Name Generator

    Most business name generators combine dictionary words to make longer names. Namelix generates short, branded names that are relevant to your business idea. When you save a name, the algorithm learns your preferences and gives you better recommendations over time. Namelix uses generative AI to create a short, brandable business name.