As tough as it may be to start a business, coming up with a brand or company name may be much more challenging. Consider the picture you’re trying to convey when naming your business. It’s important to choose a name that reflects the image you want to project to the world.

However, what are some suitable alternatives? The following are things to consider while deciding on a company name in Singapore. We’ve put up a comprehensive collection of ideas to assist you in coming up with the perfect company name.

Obscene names are not permitted.

Avoid using names that are obscene or obscenely obscene. Names that are judged unfit for use under Section 7 of the Business Names Registration Act may be rejected. Because of this, it is best to avoid using names that may cause people distress or anxiety. The Singapore Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is in charge of business approvals, and they don’t like it when you become very educated about the industry.

Use caution when referring to terminology that may need further licencing.

Regulatory authorities may conduct a more extensive inquiry into certain apparently benign utterances, resulting in the need for additional licences. An example of this is the use of words like “Academy”.

It’s best to examine whether the name you’re considering is similar to any other existing or reserved business names that have previously been given approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) (ACRA).

ACRA’s search function and how to utilise it effectively

The ACRA Bizfile website’s Entity Search Function will help you identify whether the name you’re considering is already taken or has been registered by someone else.

Search guidelines have been set by ACRA to maximise the search function’s efficiency.

When searching for your company’s name, you should also look for a section of your proposed business name and its alternatives. Make sure you run a search for variations of “WordPad,” “Word Pad,” and related phrases if you wish to utilise the name WordPad Stationery.

Prospective consumers may also be found by doing a search for names that sound like the name of your firm. A list of company names that are likely to be similar to yours will be sent to you when the search is complete. When deciding whether your suggested brand name is similar to another brand name, eliminate the following phrases or components. Some of these features include how the letters are spelled and punctuation marks used. You need to follow these Pointers to Pick a Company Name in Singapore also.

If you don’t want to break the law, you may use a company name that is quite similar to an existing one, even if the name isn’t identical. A popular practise is for new and emerging businesses to ride on the coattails of an established one. Nevertheless, this is not suggested due to the risk of liability for passing off. To avoid being mistaken for the more established and well-known brand by customers, a well-known brand may worry another company is replicating their business strategy.

Evelyn Low