Choosing the perfect name is an important part of forming your Business. It should convey your company’s values and help customers remember your brand. It should also be available and avoid trademark infringement.

While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the naming advice out there, we have some tips that can make your process much easier!

1. Make it easy to remember

A memorable LLC name is an essential part of building your brand and attracting repeat customers. It also helps establish your authority in the market, and makes it easier for people to find you online.

A great way to make your LLC name more memorable is to include a descriptor that is relevant to what your company does. For example, a landscaping company might use the name “Joe’s Landscaping Services,” or a food retailer might use “Chips City Cookies.”

While choosing an LLC name that is easy to remember can help with branding, it’s important to remember that your state’s naming requirements may not allow for creativity. For instance, many states have restrictions on words such as “bank,” “insurance,” and “government.” This may require you to create a “doing business as” (DBA) name to operate under in addition to your LLC.

2. Think about your target audience

Your LLC name should convey your business’s goals and values to potential customers. It should also match the tone and style of your brand. For example, if you’re a laidback brand catering to millennials, don’t choose a name that sounds too formal and serious.

Descriptive names can help with this — they’re easy to remember, but you should avoid overstating your business. Instead, try a clever approach to describing your products or services, like alliteration (like The Crafty Couple and Chip City Cookies) or play on words, such as Apple Computer Company or Hollerbach.

Finally, make sure your LLC name is available for use as a domain name or fictitious name, and consider trademarking it to protect your brand identity. You can check availability of business names and trademarks through your state’s website or a domain name registrar. This will save you a lot of time in the long run. Choosing an LLC name and registering it takes time and money, so make sure you’re getting your ducks in order before moving forward.

3. Think about your business’s future

When choosing an LLC name, it’s important to think about how your business will grow and change. A great business name can help your brand stand out in the crowd, increase customer recognition, and boost search engine optimization. It can also be a good idea to choose a name that will work well if you plan on expanding into other states, so your name doesn’t conflict with any existing trademarks.

Be sure to check with a domain name registrar and social media names to make sure the names you want are available before filing to form your LLC. Some companies may buy up available domain names and social media handles shortly after a new LLC files, which can be costly for the new company.

Also, be careful not to include any restricted words in your LLC name. Many states have a list of words that are prohibited or cannot be used in the name of an LLC, such as “bank,” “insurer,” or “trust.” You can find a list of restricted words for your state by visiting their business website.

4. Make sure it’s available

Your LLC name will be the first thing your target audience notices and makes a judgment call on. It needs to tell them what you’re all about, distinguish you from competitors, and be memorable. It also needs to follow state naming requirements and be free of trademark restrictions.

Creating a unique and interesting business name is a good way to set yourself apart, and there are plenty of ways to get creative with words to make it stick. Wordplay, alliteration, and synonyms are all great ideas to consider.

However, be careful not to choose a name that’s too specific and could limit your growth in the future. For example, "Boise in the Hood Custom Sweatshirts" may be great if you plan to stay local, but it won’t work well if you want to expand to other cities or states. Performing a name check can prevent you from selecting a name that’s already taken when it comes time to file incorporation or formation documents with the state.