How Do I Register a Business Name in the USA?

Creating a name for your business is arguably the hardest part of it. Your name sticks with you for a long time, it needs to meet certain regulations, be available, and most importantly entice customers in with a catchy name that they'll remember, while still having the purpose of your business clear through the name too.

Why should I use a business name generator?

How you decide to brand your new business will play a large role in the success of your business idea as well as your company. Sometimes, the stress can be so much that you just don't want to mess it up, or you have writer's block and simply can't generate a name that's good enough. So sometimes, it's just better to use the help of a business name generator, as it can brainstorm ideas for your business, brand name, and company name to instantly check domain name availability. These are all important parts for your branding. It's a good idea to brainstorm and search for at least 4-5 potential business names, just in case you decide you don't like a certain name anymore or it's not available.

Using a business name generator is relatively simple - all you have to do is search by putting in words that you want in your company's business name, pick a creative business name out of the ones given, get the name and check its domain name availability for your state. If the domain name is available, it's recommended that you secure it - even if you don't plan on using it right away.

What is the actual process for registering a business name?

After you've used a business name generator, or come up with a name for yourself and checked that it meets the requirements of the state, you need to make sure it's available in your state too and that you know the process of registering the name you end up choosing.

After this, you will need to choose your business' branding strategy. This decision involves choosing whether your legal business name will also be your brand name, or whether they will both be separate from each other. There are 3 main branding strategies people choose from: having a business name as your brand name, not having your business name as your brand name, or having a business that has multiple brand names and a legal name.

If you do decide to have multiple brand names, you'll need to file for DBAs (doing business as) for each of them. A DBA can also be referred to as a fictitious name, an assumed name or a trade name.

Should I use a DBA?

Most states allow you to set up DBAs, and you can do so for various reasons. Sometimes you want to have more than one brand name, in which case you need DBAs for all of them. Or other times, you may decide that you don't love the name that you picked the first time, or that your business has changed and a better name will suit it. In this case you can create a DBA name and legally operate under this one.

Owners of formal business types like LLCs and Corporations often choose to brand their businesses with a DBA. Most less formal businesses like partnerships are required to use a DBA to create a brand other than their surnames - because their names are often part of their legal name.

Make sure to follow naming rules for your business structure

Ideally you will have chosen your business structure before the name. If you haven't, you need to take some time out to do so and follow the rules for your chosen business structure specifically.

TRUiC has a great summarised way of naming a business with a good business name generator to help you decide today. Visit their site for more.