How To Name A Business In Louisiana

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.

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.

Louisiana LLC Naming Rules

• Your namemustinclude the phrase “limited liability company” or the abbreviationsLLCorLC.

• Your namecannotimply that the LLC is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its articles of organization.

• Youmusthave approval to include certain words:

  • You must have approval from the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board to include the words "engineer," "engineering," "surveyor," "surveying," (or any variations).
  • You must have approval from the Louisiana Commissioner of the Office of Financial Institutions to include any of the following words: bank, banker, banking, savings, safe deposit, trust, trustee, building and loan, homestead, or credit union.
  • Your name cannot include the word “insurance” unless the LLC is an independent insurance agency or brokerage firm.

• Your namecannotcontain the phrase "doing business as" or the abbreviation "d/b/a".

• Your namecannotinclude words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).

• Your namemustbe distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Louisiana reserved names. We will help with this step in the search for your business name section below.

• Names of low-profit limited liability companiesmusthave the words "low-profit limited liability company," the abbreviation "L3C," or the abbreviation "l3c."

You can also read theLouisiana state statuteabout LLC naming guidelines for more information.

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.

Louisiana Corporation Naming Rules:

• Your namemustinclude one of the following words or abbreviations (with or without punctuation):corporation,incorporated,company,limited,corp.,inc.,co., orltd.

• Your namecannotimply that the corporation is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its articles of organization. It also cannot contain any words “that consist of or comprise immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter.”

• Your namecannotfalsely suggest that your corporation is a charity, nonprofit, or government organization.

• Your namecannotinclude the phrase "doing business as" or any abbreviation of that phrase, such as "d/b/a".

• Your namecannot包括“伤亡”、“redevelopment corporation," or "electrical cooperative."

You can also read theLouisiana state statuteabout corporation naming guidelines for more information.

Informal Business Structures

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business type in Louisiana. A sole proprietorship is an informal business structure and itdoesn’t provide personal asset protection.

Louisiana 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 fictitious name in Louisiana.

For easy step-by-step instructions for filing a DBA in Louisiana, visit ourfree state 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 itdoesn’t provide personal asset protection.

Louisiana General Partnership Naming Rules:

一般合作伙伴必须包括的姓氏the partners. To use a different name, business owners must file a DBA (doing business as), known as a fictitious name in Louisiana.

For easy step-by-step instructions for filing a DBA in Louisiana, visit ourfree state 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.

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-stepLouisiana 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-stepLouisiana 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:

1. Is my name simple?
2. How does the name sound when I say it out loud?
3. Is the name easy to pronounce and spell and does the acronym look ok?
4. Is my business name shorter rather than longer?
5. Did I include a geographic location in my name? Usually, you shouldn't.
6. What do other people think of the name?
7. How does the name compare to other business names in the industry?
8. Does the name convey my mission as a business?
9. Did I avoid trends?
10. Does my name contain obscure words?
11. Is my name too narrow or too literal?
12. Is my name memorable?

CONSIDER USING A DBA TO BRAND OR REBRAND YOUR BUSINESS

In Louisiana, a DBA (doing business as) is known as a fictitious name. A Louisiana fictitious 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 Louisiana, visit ourHow to File a DBA in Louisiana.

After you get your business name, your next step is getting a unique logo. Get your unique logo using our freeLogo Maker.

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.

What's Next? Starting Your Business In Louisiana Is Easy!

Now that you’ve created a name for your business, it’s time to make it official!

Forming your business will help保护你的名字from 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

If you are starting alimited liability company (LLC), visit ourForm an LLC in 5 Easy Stepsguide for Louisiana.

循序渐进的方向备案your DBA, visit ourLouisiana DBA How-To Guide.

Form a Corporation

If you are setting up a corporation, visit ourLouisiana How To Set Up a Corporation Guideon StartupSavant.com.

循序渐进的方向备案your DBA, visit ourLouisiana DBA How-To Guide.

Informal Business Structures

If you will be using aninformal business structurelike asole proprietorship or general 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

In Louisiana, you can operate yoursole proprietorshipwithout filing with the state. This can simplify starting your business, but a sole proprietorship (or general partnership) will not protect your personal assets.

If you are forming asole proprietorship, then you will need to file aDBAto use a name other than your surname(s).

循序渐进的方向备案your DBA, visit ourLousiana DBA How-To Guide.

Form a General Partnership

In Louisiana, you are required to register your general partnership. To register, complete and mail in theLouisiana Partnership Registration Formto the address listed on the form.