How to Name a Business in Washington D.C.
Learninghow to name your business in Washington D.C.is easy with our guide. We'll help you choose a catchy name that will become the cornerstone of your business.
Recommended:Use our freeBusiness Name Generatorto find unique small business names.
When Naming Your Business in Washington D.C., Follow These Three Steps:
Our guide will take you through the 3 key steps to finding your perfectbusiness name. If you’re unsure of the type of business you would like to start, check out our detailed list ofsmall business ideas, a great resource tostart a business.
First, you’ll need to choose your business structure; this will make a difference when choosing a name because there are different naming rules for each structure. Next, you'll brand your business; this will show people who you are and what you are about. Lastly, you'll complete a business name search to make sure your name is unique.
If you'd like to explore business name ideas for your new venture right away, check out ourBusiness Name Generatortool.
Step 1: Choose A Business Structure
First, you need to choose the best business structure for your new venture. This is the first stepbecause different business structures have different naming rules.
Business Structurerefers to the way your business is set up, operated, and taxed. Each business structure has its own set of uniquenaming rules.
There are two categories of business structures:
- Formal Business Structures
- Informal Business Structures
Formal Business Structures
LLC
LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. Forming an LLC is the simplest way of structuring your business toprotect your personal assetsin case your business is sued.
Washington D.C. LLC Naming Rules
Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or “limited company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC, L.L.C., LC, or L.C.).
Your name shall not be the same as, or deceptively similar to, the name of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or the District of Columbia.
Your name cannot contain the words “bank,” “banking,” “credit union,” “insurance,” or words of similar meaning without the prior approval of the Mayor.
Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the district. This includes Washington D.C. reserved names. We will help with this step in the search for your business name section below.
You can read theWashington D.C.LLCnaming guidelines on theCode of the District of Columbiawebsite and theDistrict of Columbia Name Requirementswebpage.
Corporation
A C corporation (C corp) is a separate legal entity from its owners with a basic operational structure consisting of shareholders, officers, directors, and employees. A C corp business structure willprotect your personal assets.
Washington D.C. Corporation Naming Rules:
- Your name must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” or “limited;” an abbreviation of one of these terms; or words or abbreviations with the same meaning in a different language.
- Your name shall not be the same as, or deceptively similar to, the name of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or the District of Columbia.
- Your name cannot contain the words “bank,” “banking,” “credit union,” “insurance,” or words of similar meaning without the prior approval of the Mayor.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the district. This includes Washington D.C. reserved names. We will help with this step in the search for your business name section below.
You can read theWashington D.C.corporationnaming guidelines on theCode of the District of Columbiawebsite and theDistrict of Columbia Name Requirementswebpage.
Informal Business Structures
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is the simplest business type in Washington D.C. A sole proprietorship is an informal business structure and it不提供个人资产支持tection.
Washington D.C. Sole Proprietorship Naming Rules:
This business structure must operate under the surname of the owner. To use a different name, the business owner must file a DBA (doing business as), also known as a trade name in Washington D.C.
For easy step-by-step instructions for filing a DBA in Washington D.C., visit ourfree DBA guide.
General Partnership
General partnerships are similar to sole proprietorships. The difference is that a partnership consists of 2 or more people. A general partnership is an informal business structure and it不提供个人资产支持tection.
Washington D.C. General Partnership Naming Rules:
This business structure must operate under the surname of the owner. To use a different name, the business owner must file a DBA (doing business as), also known as a trade name in Washington D.C.
For easy step-by-step instructions for filing a DBA in Washington D.C., visit ourfree DBA guide.
S Corporation
An S corporation (S corp) is a tax classification, not a business structure. Both LLCs and corporations can be an S corp.
If your business is taxed as an S corp, you should follow your state’s naming requirements for either a corporation or an LLC, depending on your business structure.
Learn More About Business Structures
To find the business structure that's best for you, read ourWhat Structure Should I Choose for my Businessarticle.
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Have a question? Leave a Comment!
Ask us a question, tell us how we're doing, or share your experiences. Join the conversation in ourComment Section.
Step 2: Create the Best Brand Name For Your Business
Now that you know the rules for naming your business in Washington D.C., it’s time to work on your business’s brand.
Choose Your Branding Strategy
The next big decision you will need to make is whether your legal business name will be your brand name or if your brand will be separate from your legal name.
Most business owners prefer to use the business’s legal name as their brand name.
Legal Name:Your business's legal name is the name that is listed on your formation documents.
Brand Name:Your business's brand name is the name that you use to market your company. It is the name that clients see and use.
Informal businesses, like sole proprietors and general partnerships, are almost always required to use their surname(s) as their legal name.
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There Are Three Main Branding Strategies:
1. The business's legal name is also the brand name.If you are forming an LLC or corporation, you will register your legal name when you file your formation documents.
2. The business has a legal name that is different than its brand name.If you choose to have a different brand name, you will need to file a DBA. To learn more, visit our easy step-by-stepWashington D.C. DBA guide.
3. The business has a legal name and multiple brand names.If you choose to have multiple brand names, you will need to file for DBAs. To learn more, visit our easy step-by-stepWashington D.C. DBA guide.
DBA
When a business uses a name besides their legal name, they create a DBA (doing business as). A DBA is sometimes called an assumed name, fictitious name, or trade name.
To learn more about using a DBA to brand your business, read ourWhat is a DBAarticle on StartupSavant.com.
Brainstorm Business Names
You should start by brainstorming at least4-5 potential names. The goal is to come up with at least a few catchy and creative names. Then, we will help you make sure the names you chose are available.
A goodbrainstorming sessionlasts for about15-45 minutesand it’s important that you are comfortable in all ways— think snacks and water, a comfortable chair, your favorite pen.
Use a timer and then stop when it goes off. If you need more time, take a15-minute breakand start your timer again. The more you brainstorm, the better.
Creative Brainstorming Techniques:
- Free Writing.Keep your pen on the paper until your timer goes off. Don’t limit your ideas, don’t analyze whether they are good or bad. Just keep writing.
- Word-association.Start by writing a couple of random words. Next, write down words that tie your two random words to your business's mission, service or product. This exercise is meant to tease-out buried ideas.
- Mind Map.Start with a circle containing the words “my business name”. Draw a line off of the main circle with each new idea. A web of ideas will form during your brainstorming session.
Naming Tip
If you don’t love the name you choose the first time, you can set up aDBAlater. A DBA allows you to operate your business under a different name without doing a full legal name change.
12 Questions To Ask When Choosing A Brand Name
Now that you’ve come up with name choices, it’s time to think about some important tips for naming a business.
12 Important Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Is my name simple?
- How does the name sound when I say it out loud?
- Is the name easy to pronounce and spell and does the acronym look ok?
- Is my business name shorter rather than longer?
- Did I include a geographic location in my name? Usually, you shouldn't.
- What do other people think of the name?
- How does the name compare to other business names in the industry?
- Does the name convey my mission as a business?
- Did I avoid trends?
- Does my name contain obscure words?
- Is my name too narrow or too literal?
- Is my name memorable?
CONSIDER USING A DBA TO BRAND OR REBRAND YOUR BUSINESS
In Washington D.C., a DBA (doing business as) is known as a trade name. A Washington D.C. trade name allows you to use a name other than your business’s legal name.
If you don’t love the name you pick the first time or if things change that make your name obsolete, you can usually create a DBA name and legally operate under a new name.
DBA For Your Business Structure
Owners of formal business types like LLCs and Corporations sometimes choose to brand their businesses with a DBA. Most sole proprietors and general partnerships need to use a DBA to create a brand other than their surnames.
To learn more about DBAs in Washington D.C., visit ourHow to File a DBA in Washington D.C..
After you get your business name, your next step is getting a unique logo. Get your unique logo using our freeLogo Maker.
Step 3: Complete Name Searches
The final step for naming your business is making sure it's unique at the district and federal levels and as a domain name.
We will give you the step-by-step instructions to search:
- Business Name Availability in Washington D.C.
- Domain Name Options
- Federal Trademark Records
Business Name Search
The first and most important search is on the Washington D.C. business name database. Search requirements can vary depending on your business structure.
LLC
You can search the业务数据库on the DC Business Center website to see if your desired LLC name is available.
This tool is also useful if you decide to register a DBA, or trade name, for your company. For detailed information about setting up a DBA for your Washington D.C. LLC, check out ourHow to File a Washington D.C. DBAguide.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out ourLLC Name Generator.
Corporation
You can search the业务数据库on the DC Business Center website to see if your desired corporation name is available.
This tool is also useful if you decide to register a DBA, or trade name, for your company. For detailed information about setting up a DBA for your Washington D.C. corporation, check out ourHow to File a Washington D.C. DBAguide.
Sole Proprietor
A district-level name search is not required for a sole proprietorship in Washington D.C. However, if you decide to register a DBA, or trade name, you can search the Washington D.C.业务数据库to see if your desired name is available.
General Partnership
A district-level name search is not required for a general partnership in Washington D.C. However, if you decide to register a DBA, or trade name, you can search the Washington D.C.业务数据库to see if your desired name is available.
Domain Name Search
We recommend that you check to see if your business name is available as a网络域(URL). Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the web address in order to prevent others from acquiring it. It’s free to search.
Federal Trademark Search
Next, a quick search on theU.S. Trademark Electronic Search Systemwill tell you whether someone else has already trademarked your name. Once you know the name is available, you can choose to apply for a trademark for your business although the cost is sometimes too high for a startup or fledgling business.
Regardless of whether you will be registering, it’s good to know if your name is already taken.
To learn more about trademarks and the steps you will need to get one, read ourHow to Trademark Your Businessarticle.
Now that you’ve created a name for your business, it’s time to make it official!
Forming your business will helpprotect your namefrom being used by another business in your state.
How To Form Your Business
There are two types of business structures: formal and informal. We will give you directions for starting both types of businesses.
Formal Business Structures
If you will be using aformal business structurelike anLLC or corporation, you will need to file your formation documents in order to secure your legal name.
If you’d like to operate a formal business structure under a brand name that’s different from your legal name, you will need to file for a DBA.
Form a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
If you are starting a limited liability company (LLC), visit ourForm an LLC in 5 Easy Stepsguide for Washington D.C.
循序渐进的方向备案your DBA, visit ourWashington D.C. DBA How To Guide.
Form a Corporation
If you are setting up a corporation, visit our Washington D.C.How To Set Up a Corporation Guideon StartupSavant.com.
循序渐进的方向备案your DBA, visit ourWashington D.C. DBA How To Guide.
Informal Business Structures
If you will be using an informal business structure like asole proprietorshiporgeneral partnership, your legal name will be your personal name. To secure a brand name, you will need to file for a DBA.
Form a Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership
In Washington D.C., you can operate your sole proprietorship or general partnership without filing with the state. This can simplify starting your business, but these structureswill not protect your personal assets.
If you are forming a general partnership or sole proprietorship, then youwill need to file a DBAto use a name other than you or your business partner’s surname(s).
循序渐进的方向备案your DBA, visit ourWashington D.C. DBA How To Guide.