How to Name a Company in India — Rules, Restrictions and RUN Form 2025

Choosing the right name for your company is more than a branding decision — it is a legal requirement governed by specific rules under the Companies Act 2013 and the Companies (Incorporation) Rules 2014. A poorly chosen name can be rejected by the MCA, causing delays in your incorporation. This guide helps you choose a name that will be approved the first time.

General Naming Rules

A company name in India must be unique, meaningful and not misleading. It must reflect the objects of the company or the name of the promoters. The MCA checks proposed names against its database of existing companies, trademarks and prohibited words before approval.

• The name must not be identical or closely similar to any existing registered company or LLP
• The name must not match any registered trademark without the trademark owner's consent
• Private limited companies must end with "Private Limited"
• LLPs must end with "LLP" or "Limited Liability Partnership"
• OPCs must end with "(OPC) Private Limited"
• The name must not include words that suggest government patronage (e.g., "National", "India", "State" requires prior approval)

Prohibited and Restricted Words

Certain words require prior approval from specific authorities before they can be used in a company name. These include words like "Bank", "Insurance", "University", "Stock Exchange", "Mutual Fund", "Finance" (in certain contexts), "President", "Governor" and similar terms that imply official or governmental status.

Obscene, offensive or undesirable words are outright prohibited. Words that may mislead the public about the nature or scale of the business are also not permitted.

Practical Tips for Choosing a Name

• Search the MCA database (mca.gov.in) to check if your proposed name is taken
• Also search the IP India trademark database to ensure the name is not trademarked
• Make the name descriptive — names that reflect the business activity are more easily approved
• Avoid very common words (like "Tech", "Global", "Solutions") alone — combine them with a distinctive word
• Prepare 2 to 3 alternative names in order of preference

The RUN (Reserve Unique Name) Form

For companies incorporated through the SPICe+ route, the name can be reserved as Part A of the SPICe+ form. Alternatively, the stand-alone RUN form can be used to pre-reserve a name before filing the full incorporation documents. RUN allows you to apply for 1 name at a time (with one resubmission allowed).

The MCA processes name applications within 1 to 3 working days. Once approved, the name is reserved for 20 days. If incorporation is not completed within this period, the name is released and must be re-applied for.

RUN-LLP for LLP Name Reservation

For LLPs, the name reservation is done through the RUN-LLP form (separate from the company RUN form). The process is similar — submit 2 proposed names, and the MCA approves or rejects within a few days.

Conclusion

Getting your company name right from the start avoids frustrating delays. SPOTON's team performs a thorough name availability search before applying, ensuring your name application is approved quickly. Contact us for expert company registration services in Calicut and across Kerala.