How do I choose a name for my company?

Private entrepreneurs officially operate in the tax administration's data on their own name. However, you can freely use any available name in marketing your company, which will then appear on the invoices you send. If you wish, you can check available company names in PRH's name service.

Check name availability

Make sure that another company does not have the same name in use. You can check this easily through YTJ. Also use Google or other search engines for help.

Also find out that the name in question does not already have a reserved domain address. It is also worth going through the social media channels, so that you know if there are any free IDs for the company with the company name.

Is the name distinctive enough?

The name should not be very conventional or similar to that of a competitor. The restaurants Faro and Faros are a good example of a name that is too similar in the restaurant industry. Try to make your name as unique as possible so that people remember you and your work better.

Name length – too short or too long?

A long name can be made witty and easy to remember by shortening it. One good example is Ab Lukkotehdas Oy, founded in North Karelia, which is now known as Abloy. There are other similar ones, such as Nokia, Nike, Apple and Twitter.

The name of the company can also be gibberish

A company name does not always have to be an existing word. To stand out from the crowd, it might even be better if you come up with a completely new name. You can boldly use, for example, combinations of different languages ​​or words, dialect words, anagrams or, for example, words written the wrong way around. However, be careful with humor, because not everyone has the same sense of humor as you.

Keep internationality in mind

Even if you are not aiming for international waters yet, it can still be useful to choose a name that can also be used internationally in the future. Also find out what your name means in languages ​​other than Finnish. In an international name, it would also be good to try to avoid jargon.

The safe choice is to use your own name

If you can't come up with a name for your company, the sure choice is to use your own name. This has also been done by, for example, Henry Ford, G.F Stockmann and Eila Kaisla. Your name will also most certainly go through the trade register. In addition, if you are not completely sure of your own business idea, it is smarter to use your own name.

Name generator

There are also several name generators available online, which you should try if coming up with a name seems difficult. Some of the names the generators come up with may sound funny, but you may still find a great name for your company. Generators can also be used, for example, to name a new product or service. So why not give it a try?

Changing the company name

Even if you end up choosing a name, you can always change the name if necessary. However, take into account that at the same time you may also have to renew all advertising materials, websites, business cards and everything to which your company's name is related.

Changing the name also has the risk that your old customers will remember your company under your old name. However, you don't have to be too afraid of changing your name, because many big companies have once operated under a completely different name than they do today.

Finally

Before you lock in the name of your company, ask your friends or loved ones for their opinions on your company name. When you are sure of your name, you still need to make sure that it is free and approved by PRH. So don't immediately get excited to print business cards with your name before it is registered in the trade register.