How To Check If A Business Name Is Available

Before You Print Business Cards, Do This First

You've got a business name you love. Maybe you've been saying it out loud for days, testing how it sounds. It feels right. But before you register a domain, order signage, or tell anyone, you need to make sure nobody else got there first. Skipping availability checks is one of the most expensive mistakes a new business owner can make. A cease-and-desist letter from a trademark holder can force you to rebrand overnight, losing every dollar you've spent on marketing, packaging, and brand recognition.

This guide walks you through every check you need to run, in order of importance, with specific tools and websites for each step.

The Cost of Skipping This Step

A small business owner in Texas recently shared her story online. She named her bakery, built a website, ordered custom packaging, and ran Facebook ads for three months. Then she received a cease-and-desist from a bakery in California with the same name and a registered trademark. She had to scrap everything and start over. Total cost: over $8,000 in wasted branding materials, domain fees, and rebranding expenses. The availability checks in this guide would have taken her 3 hours and cost nothing.

Step 1: Run a Quick Google Search

Start with the obvious. Open Google and search for your exact business name in quotes. Then search it without quotes. Look at what comes up.

You're checking for:

• Existing businesses with the same or very similar names
• Products, apps, or services using the name
• Negative associations (news stories, scandals, slang meanings)
• How competitive the search results are (if page one is all major brands, ranking will be difficult)

Also try Google Image Search. Sometimes a visual search reveals logos and brands that text results miss.

This isn't a legal check. It's a sanity check. If your name is already plastered all over Google, you have a problem regardless of trademark status.

Step 2: Search the USPTO Trademark Database

The United States Patent and Trademark Office maintains a free, searchable database called TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System). This is the most important check on the list.

How to Search TESS

1. Go to tess2.uspto.gov
2. Select "Basic Word Mark Search (New User)"
3. Enter your business name in the "Search Term" field
4. Set "Field" to "Combined Word Mark"
5. Click "Submit Query"

Review every result. Don't just look for exact matches. Look for names that sound similar when spoken aloud ("phonetic equivalents"), names with similar spelling, and names in your industry or related industries.

Understanding the Results

Each trademark listing shows a status. The ones that matter:

• Live/Registered: This trademark is active and enforceable. If it's in your industry or a related one, this name is off-limits.
• Pending: Someone has filed for this trademark but it hasn't been approved yet. Treat this the same as a registered mark; using the name now could lead to a legal fight.
• Dead/Abandoned: The trademark is no longer active. This doesn't automatically mean you can use it, but it's less risky. The previous holder may still have common law rights.

Pay special attention to the "International Class" codes. Trademarks are registered within specific categories of goods and services. A name trademarked for software (Class 9) might be available for restaurant services (Class 43). But be careful: if there's any overlap or potential for consumer confusion, you're still at risk.

When to Hire a Trademark Attorney

If you find anything close to your name in the TESS database, consult a trademark attorney before proceeding. The $300 to $500 for a professional opinion is cheap compared to the $10,000 or more a trademark dispute can cost. For more on the trademark process itself, see our trademark filing guide.

Step 3: Check State Business Registries

Every state maintains a database of registered business entities (LLCs, corporations, partnerships). Even if the trademark is clear, a business with your exact name registered in your state creates confusion and can block your own registration.

How to Search

Go to your state's Secretary of State website and look for "Business Entity Search" or "Business Name Search." Most states offer free online searches. Some commonly used ones:

• California: bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov
• New York: appext20.dos.ny.gov/corp_public
• Texas: mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa
• Florida: search.sunbiz.org
• Delaware: icis.corp.delaware.gov (many LLCs are registered here regardless of where they operate)

Check the state where you'll register your business and any states where you plan to operate. If you're an online business serving customers nationwide, check the major states at minimum.

Pro Tip: Check County-Level Records Too

In some states, DBAs (Doing Business As) are filed at the county level, not the state level. A business might be operating under your chosen name with only a county DBA and no state-level entity registration. These won't show up in the Secretary of State search. If your business is local, check your county clerk's office records as well. Many counties offer free online searches of DBA filings.

What If the Name Is Taken in Your State?

If an identical name is actively registered in your state, you typically can't register the same one. You may be able to use a slight variation (adding "Group" or "Co." for example), but this is a recipe for brand confusion. It's usually better to pick a different name.

If the registered business is inactive or dissolved, most states will let you use the name. Check the entity's status carefully.

Step 4: Check Domain Availability

Your domain name is your address on the internet. For most businesses, especially those that operate online, the domain is just as important as the business name itself.

Where to Check

Use a domain registrar like Namecheap, Google Domains, GoDaddy, or Porkbun to search for availability. Type in your business name and see what comes up.

What to look for:

• ExactName.com: The gold standard. If it's available, buy it immediately. Domains cost $10 to $15 per year, and someone else could grab it tomorrow.
• Variations: If the .com is taken, check ExactName.co, ExactName.io, ExactName.shop, or GetExactName.com. These are acceptable alternatives, but each has trade-offs.
• Who owns the .com: If it's taken, check whether the site is active. If it's a parked domain (showing ads but no real business), the owner may sell it. Use whois lookup tools to find owner contact info.

Domain Extensions: What Works

Here's a realistic ranking of domain extensions by trust and recognition:

1. .com - Still the default. Most people type .com out of habit.
2. .co - Widely accepted, used by major companies like Twitter (t.co).
3. .io - Popular with tech companies, but less recognized by general consumers.
4. .net - Acceptable but feels dated to some people.
5. .shop / .store - Good for ecommerce if the .com isn't available.
6. Country-specific (.us, .uk, .ca) - Fine if you only serve one country.

Avoid obscure extensions like .biz, .info, or .xyz for a primary business domain. They carry a spam reputation that's hard to shake.

Buying a Taken Domain

If the .com you want is owned by someone but not actively used (a "parked" domain), you may be able to buy it. Here's how the process typically works:

1. Use a WHOIS lookup tool (like who.is or whois.domaintools.com) to find the owner's contact information
2. Send a polite, professional email expressing interest. Don't reveal how much you're willing to pay upfront.
3. If the owner responds with a price, negotiate. Most parked domains sell for $500 to $5,000. Premium one-word domains can go for much more.
4. Use a domain escrow service (like Escrow.com) to protect both parties during the transaction.

Alternatively, use a domain broker service like Sedo, Afternic, or GoDaddy's broker service. They negotiate on your behalf, which can sometimes get a better price since the seller doesn't know it's a small business on the other end. Brokers typically charge 10 to 15% commission.

A word of caution: never reveal desperation. If you tell a domain squatter that you've already printed business cards with the name, the price will triple overnight.

Step 5: Check Social Media Availability

Consistent branding across social platforms matters. If your business name is "Maple & Co." but your Instagram handle has to be @maple_and_company_official because everything else is taken, that's a problem.

Platforms to Check

At minimum, check these platforms even if you don't plan to use all of them right away:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook (Page name)
• X (Twitter)
• LinkedIn (Company page)
• YouTube
• Pinterest (if relevant to your business)

Tools That Check Multiple Platforms

Instead of visiting each platform individually, use a tool that checks them all at once. Namechk.com and KnowEm.com both let you search a username across dozens of platforms in one search.

If the exact handle isn't available everywhere, decide what modification you'll use and keep it consistent. Common approaches: adding "hq" (like @maboroshihq), adding "get" (like @getmaple), or using a period or underscore between words. Pick one approach and use it everywhere.

Step 6: Do a Common Law Trademark Search

Here's something most guides skip: a business can have trademark rights even without registering with the USPTO. In the United States, trademark rights come from use, not just registration. If someone has been operating a business under your chosen name in your area, they may have "common law" trademark rights that could cause problems for you.

How to Do a Common Law Search

This is more manual than the other checks, but it's important.

• Google the name with your industry terms added (e.g., "Maple Co bakery" or "Maple Co consulting")
• Search Yelp, Google Maps, and Apple Maps for businesses with that name
• Check industry directories specific to your field (Avvo for lawyers, Houzz for home services, etc.)
• Search social media for businesses using the name as their profile name, not just their handle
• Check the Better Business Bureau database at bbb.org
• Search Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify stores if you're in ecommerce

You're looking for any business, especially in your industry or geographic area, that uses the same or a confusingly similar name. Even a small local business with no trademark registration can challenge you if they were using the name first.

Step 7: International Checks (If Applicable)

If you plan to do business outside the United States, or if your online business could attract international customers, run a few additional checks.

• WIPO Global Brand Database (branddb.wipo.int): Searches international trademark registrations across multiple countries.
• EU Intellectual Property Office (euipo.europa.eu): For European trademark registrations.
• Canadian Trademarks Database (ised-isde.canada.ca): If you plan to serve Canadian customers.
• Check meanings in other languages. Your name might mean something unfortunate in Spanish, French, Mandarin, or Arabic. A quick search can prevent a public embarrassment.

What to Do When Your First Choice Is Taken

It happens more often than not. Your favorite name is already in use somewhere. Here's how to handle it.

If the Trademark Is Taken

Move on. Don't try to use a "slightly different" version of a trademarked name. Adding "the" or changing one letter won't protect you. A trademark holder can still come after you if there's a likelihood of confusion.

If the Domain Is Taken but the Trademark Is Clear

You have options. You can try to buy the domain from the current owner (start by sending a polite inquiry email). You can use a domain broker service like Sedo or Afternic. Or you can use a variation of the name as your domain while keeping the clean version as your legal business name.

If the Social Handles Are Taken

Check whether the accounts are active. Many handles are registered but abandoned. On some platforms, you can request inactive usernames. Instagram and X both have policies for reclaiming inactive accounts, though the process can take months.

If a State Registration Exists but the Business Is Dissolved

You can usually register the name in your state after confirming the prior registration is inactive. Call your Secretary of State office if you're unsure. They can confirm whether a name is available for registration.

How Long Does the Full Check Take?

If you're organized, you can complete all seven steps in a single afternoon. Here's a realistic time estimate:

• Google search: 10 to 15 minutes
• USPTO trademark search: 20 to 30 minutes (longer if you find potential conflicts to investigate)
• State business registries: 15 to 30 minutes (depending on how many states you check)
• Domain availability: 5 to 10 minutes
• Social media handles: 10 to 15 minutes (faster if you use a multi-platform checker)
• Common law search: 30 to 45 minutes
• International checks: 15 to 20 minutes

Total: about 2 to 3 hours for a thorough check. That's a small investment compared to the cost of discovering a conflict after you've already launched. If you're checking multiple name candidates, the process goes faster after the first one because you'll know exactly where to look.

Common Availability Mistakes to Avoid

Only Checking the Domain

A lot of entrepreneurs check whether the .com is available and stop there. An available domain means nothing if the name is trademarked by a company in your industry. Always do the trademark search. It's the most important check on this list.

Assuming a Dead Trademark Is Free

A trademark showing "dead" or "abandoned" in the TESS database doesn't mean the name is automatically available. The former owner may still have common law rights based on continued use. And another company might be in the process of filing for the same mark. A dead trademark lowers the risk but doesn't eliminate it.

Ignoring Similar Names

You search for "BrightPath" and find nothing. Great. But "Bright Path Solutions" is a registered trademark in your industry. That's close enough to cause problems. Always search for variations, not just exact matches. Add common business suffixes (Solutions, Group, Co., Inc.) to your search.

Not Searching Image Results

A Google text search might miss a competitor's logo, product packaging, or storefront. Google Image Search can reveal brands that don't have a strong web presence but are actively using the name on physical products or signage.

Your Availability Checklist

Before committing to any name, run through every item on this list. Check them off one at a time.

1. Google search (exact match and variations)
2. USPTO trademark search (TESS database)
3. State business entity search (your state + major states)
4. Domain availability (.com first, then alternatives)
5. Social media handles (all major platforms)
6. Common law search (Google Maps, Yelp, industry directories)
7. International trademark search (if applicable)
8. Foreign language meaning check

If a name clears all eight checks, you've found a winner. Secure the domain and social handles immediately. Then move on to registering your trademark for long-term protection.

The checks get faster with practice. After you've done this for your first name candidate, the second and third take half the time because you know exactly where to go and what to look for. And if your first candidate doesn't clear, don't be discouraged. Most businesses go through 3 to 5 serious candidates before finding one that passes every check. That's normal. The process works precisely because it eliminates problems before they become expensive.

Still searching for the right name? Our business name generator creates hundreds of available name ideas in seconds, giving you a head start on the brainstorming process.

For more naming advice, check out our full naming guide and our list of common naming mistakes to avoid.