Trademark and Domain Basics

Business name is not the same as trademark

A business name is the legal name used for registration, taxes, and contracts in a specific jurisdiction. A trademark identifies the source of goods or services and can be registered nationally or internationally.

The SBA explains how to search business name availability through state and local registries. The USPTO and WIPO provide separate guidance for trademark searching and registration.

A domain search is not a clearance search

The domain search links in this generator open a registrar search for the candidate name. A free domain does not mean the brand is safe to use; another company may have a similar trademark in a different extension.

Check the domain separately from the trademark search, then check both again just before you commit to the name.

Search official and marketplace sources

Begin with the official trademark database for your country, then review registries for the categories where your business operates. Search the name, common misspellings, and the invented root alone.

A preliminary search reduces surprises, but it is not a legal opinion. If the brand matters to your funding or distribution plans, budget for a trademark attorney to review the final shortlist.

Reserve the name consistently

Use the same spelling on the website, social profiles, invoice, and registration documents. Small differences such as Co. versus Company can make searches harder and create gaps in your brand protection.

Record the date you checked each source and keep the evidence with your shortlist. That gives you a clear timeline if a conflict appears later.