Can two UK companies have the same or similar name?
Last reviewed 14 July 2026
Short answer: no two companies can be registered with the “same as” name, and Companies House blocks it automatically. But “same as” is a defined test, not a plain-English one, and “similar” is a separate story.
The “same as” rule
When Companies House compares names it disregards a lot: the legal ending (“Ltd”, “Limited”, “PLC”), punctuation and spacing, and certain words and characters such as “UK”, “GB”, “.com”, and “the”. It also treats “and” and “&” as the same. So Foxglove Coffee Ltd and Foxglove Coffee UK Limited are the “same as” each other — the “UK” and the ending don’t create a new name. If a match exists, registration is refused.
“Too like” names — objected to after the fact
A name that isn’t identical but is close enough to mislead can still be challenged. Within 12 months of registration, an existing company can object and the Secretary of State can direct the newer company to change its name. Separately, the Company Names Tribunal handles complaints that a name was registered opportunistically (to trade on someone else’s goodwill). So passing the automated “same as” gate isn’t the end of the risk.
Same name, different register
A registered company name is not a trademark. Two businesses can share very similar company names while one holds a registered trademark that outranks the other for actual trading. That’s why “Companies House says it’s free” and “you’re safe to use it” are different sentences.
Check the real distance between names
NameVetted applies the Companies House “same as” normalisation and then scores how close your name is to existing companies — including near-misses in your own industry, which are the ones most likely to draw an objection. Run a free check to see where your name lands.
General information, not legal advice.
Check your name across all of it — free
Companies House, trademark risk, domains, social handles and sensitive words in one check. See where your name actually lands before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register a name that only differs by “Ltd” or “UK”?
No. Companies House ignores the legal ending and words like “UK” when comparing, so those additions don’t make a name different enough to register.
What if a company registers a name too like mine?
You can object to Companies House within 12 months, or complain to the Company Names Tribunal if the name was registered to exploit your goodwill.
Related guides
How to check if a business name is available in the UK
Availability isn’t one check — it’s four. Here’s the order to run them in, and why a free Companies House result doesn’t mean the name is yours.
Company name vs trademark: what’s the difference?
A company name lets you exist. A trademark lets you stop others trading on your name. They’re different registers with different rights — here’s how they fit together.
Can two businesses have the same name in different industries?
Delta the airline and Delta the tap-maker both exist for a reason: trademarks are class-specific. But “different industry” has limits — here’s where the line really is.