Choosing a Ltd company name - does it matter?

[VectraMan]

I named my company after my domain name (with "Software" on the end) rather than the other way around.

The only problem is HMRC have it as "Softwear" for PAYE (even though I've told them twice).

[Spacecadet]

Try not to pick any technologies in case you fall foul of trademarks and also it will limit the scope of services of your company. You can't be called SAP Solutions for example and if you are Java R Us you will find it won't work very well if you start doing other stuff.

Calling it something stupid will, in most cases look stupid and unprofessional. In a few cases it could be seen to be cool and contemporary. I mean.. 'Apple' what a stupid name... but it is a fine line. You are still a professional so I would stay clear of anything ridiculous

given all the legal battles Apple Computers had with Apple the record label, "Apple" was indeed a stupid choice of name

[Ignis Fatuus]

Don't make it too long. Mine is XXXXX YYYYY Consulting Limited

which HSBC truncated on the business Visa card to
XXXXX YYYYY Consulting Limit

which makes it look as though I only have some kind of "limited" card.

[xoggoth]

Given all the service company questions may be best if it is not called ***Services Limited like mine was.

[IR35 Avoider]

I called my new company "xyz ccyy Ltd" where xyz were my initials and ccyy the year I set up.

Was slightly worried about putting the year in in case HMRC thought I was going to be launching a string of phoenix companies, but I'm running such a clean operation (not even claiming any expenses) that I doubt any human there is going to be thinking at all in relation to my company.

[ChrisPackit]

I remember years ago when I was doing the same thing, and I was thinking about using my initials and something IT related, and I came up with CL IT Solutions...

Glad I got the joke before registering it with companies house.

[Epiphone]

Good grief. Is no one capable of thinking for themselves anymore.

Do you think Branson had to ask around when he came up with Virgin? Eh? EH? You're a contractor - the best of the best. Anyones elses advice isn't worth spit.

[monkeyrhythm]

Two guys my mate worked with named their limited "Not-working Funky Mentals" (as a play on Networking Fundamentals); probably not very professional but funny none the less.

[Old Greg]

Had a contracting friend years ago, who, while sitting in his newly appointed accountants office was asked what CoName he wanted registered. He couldn' think of one, so took the some letters out of his name (Ian) and hes rather trendily named Mrs (Klare) and rather stupidly called his company Klan Computing Ltd.

Oh how we laughed when he realised

Always thought he should have changed it to Klan Komputing Korporation Lid and have done with it

And then given himself the job title of Grand Wizard.

[TestMangler]

Had a contracting friend years ago, who, while sitting in his newly appointed accountants office was asked what CoName he wanted registered. He couldn' think of one, so took the some letters out of his name (Ian) and hes rather trendily named Mrs (Klare) and rather stupidly called his company Klan Computing Ltd.

Oh how we laughed when he realised

Always thought he should have changed it to Klan Komputing Korporation Lid and have done with it

[Clare@InTouch]

A lot of people use their initials or names - KeyMoo Consulting Limited, KM Consulting Limited etc. or the name of where they live - Berkshire Consulting Limited for example.

I have seen some excellent odd ones, but as Northern Lad says go careful of trademarks as I've also seen a couple of people threatened with legal action for using things like Java in their name.

I don't think it makes any difference from a Revenue point of view.

[northernladuk]

Try not to pick any technologies in case you fall foul of trademarks and also it will limit the scope of services of your company. You can't be called SAP Solutions for example and if you are Java R Us you will find it won't work very well if you start doing other stuff.

Calling it something stupid will, in most cases look stupid and unprofessional. In a few cases it could be seen to be cool and contemporary. I mean.. 'Apple' what a stupid name... but it is a fine line. You are still a professional so I would stay clear of anything ridiculous

[yorkshireman]

Unless you ever see your Company selling some kind of "product" in future - say a software package or perhaps some recruitment consultancy then it probably makes no difference.

[SueEllen]

Call it what you like.

However if you think you may want a website then check the domain name is free and buy it.

But you can always change the company name later.

[keymoo]

Hi there,

I've decided to open a new Ltd company, and I need to decide on a name. I work in a development team in IT. Does it matter if the company name "sounds" IT-like? Does the choice of company name have any bearing on the number of IR35 investigations I might have?

Any suggestions?

An old friend had one called Haymaker Ltd, and I know of someone else has called theirs Old Rope Ltd (or somesuch).

Cheers