Sensitive Words in Company Names

The CRO does not check proposed names against names on the business names register and the trade mark register. The CRO may have to refuse a name if:

• Identical or similar to a name already appearing on the register of companies.
• Offensive.
• Suggests state sponsorship.

Restrictions and guidelines governing the registration of company names:

• It is recommended that company names include extra words so as to create a sufficient distinction between names. This will increase the possibility of the proposed name being accepted for registration.
• Certain words and their abbreviations together with accents and punctuation marks are not sufficient to distinguish between company names. Examples of such words include 'company', 'co.', 'corporation', 'and', ' &', 'service', 'services', 'limited'.
• Place names are not considered distinguishing.
• Similar descriptive elements e.g. press/printing, staff/employment agency, or the inclusion in one name of only a general qualification such as 'holding', 'group', 'system', 'services', 'solutions' 'enterprises' 'international', etc. may not be regarded as a sufficient distinction between company names. Further information may be required by the CRO to support the application if the name includes words which imply specific functions.
• Particular care should be taken with names consisting primarily of made-up words or non-dictionary words. The inclusion of qualifying words may not be sufficient to create a distinction between company names.
• Names which are phonetically and/or visually similar will be refused. This includes names where there is a slight variation in the spelling and the variation does not make a significant difference between the names.
• A number on its own will not be accepted as a sufficient distinguishing mark, unless the companies concerned are part of the same group.
• The words 'University' and "Institute of Technology" or "Regional Technical College" cannot be used unless permission has been sought and granted from the Department of Education.
• This also applies to names such as "hollybank", "sweetbank", "canal bank", "bankcorp" etc. and the surname "Banks", not withstanding the fact that the company being incorporated may not intend to carry on banking business.
• Words such as 'insurance', 're-insurance' and 'assurance' cannot be used, unless prior permission has been sought and granted from the Department of Enterprise,Trade and Employment.
• Words such as 'society', 'co-op' or 'co-operative' cannot be used unless prior permission has been sought and granted from the Registrar of Friendly Societies.