When registering a company in Ireland, it's crucial to choose a name that adheres
to the standards set by the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
Your application may face rejection for the following reasons:
- Similarity to Existing Names: If the chosen name is identical or
closely resembles a name that's already on the Official Register of Companies,
it will be deemed unsuitable.
- Offensive Content: Names that contain language or connotations
considered offensive are strictly prohibited.
- Implication of State Endorsement: Names that imply government or
state sponsorship or endorsement, without official authority, are not acceptable.
- Use of Restricted Terms: Certain words and phrases are restricted in
Company Names. These include terms that might mislead or imply a function or
status not truly represented by the company.
Understanding and adhering to these criteria is vital for a smooth Company Registration
process in Ireland, ensuring the name aligns with legal requirements and CRO guidelines.
It's essential to ensure your chosen Company Name in Ireland is distinct and not phonetically
or visually similar to any existing names in the CRO register. Examples of names likely
to be refused due to their close resemblance to existing ones include:
- "Any Wear Limited" will be refused if "Any Where Limited" is already registered.
- "G00g1e Limited" (using zeros and one) will be refused if "Google Limited" is already
registered.
- "All 4 You Limited" will be refused if "All For You Limited" is already registered.
It is important to note that,
Section 30 of the Companies Act 2014
highlights that even if a similar name is initially accepted by the CRO, objections on the
grounds of similarity can be raised within six months of your Company's Incorporation.
This could lead to a directive from the Registrar of Companies to change your Company Name.
In considering whether the names are too alike, the Registrar will take account of all relevant
factors suggesting similarity and leading to confusion between the names of the two companies.
When selecting a Company Name for registration in Ireland, it's important to add descriptive
words that sufficiently distinguish your name from others already on the CRO register.
These additional words should be distinctive and relevant, as generic or weak descriptors are
often insufficient for approval. For instance:
- Simple Additions: Adding articles like 'the' is not enough for
distinction. For example, "Hello The World Limited" would likely be refused if
"Hello World Limited" already exists.
- Generic Terms: Terms such as "holding", "group", "system", "services",
"international", etc., are typically insufficient distinctions.
- Numbers: Both spelled-out numbers and numerals are not considered
distinguishable. For instance, "One Vision Limited" or "1 Vision Limited" might get
refused as the CRO will not take the number into consideration, be it spelled or as a
numeral, as being unique.
- Geographic Names: Place names like "Ireland", "Dublin", "Irish",
and similar, are frequently disregarded in determining a Company Name's uniqueness.
For a deeper understanding of what constitutes a sufficiently unique Company Name and to avoid
refusal, you can also visit the CRO’s official website, where you can find more information in their
CRO - Company Name
section.
Selecting a Company Name in Ireland also involves being aware of certain Restricted Words.
These words, typically implying specific institutional or professional functions,
include but are not limited to:
- Institutional Terms: "Bank", "Society", "Charity"
- Cooperative References: "Co-op", "Co-operative"
- Educational & Technical Terms: "University", "Regional Technical College",
"Institute of Technology"
- Professional Designations: "Standard", "Architect"
- Internet Domain Extensions: ".com", ".ie", ".eu", and similar
Additionally, if your Company Name includes words that imply specific business functions
such as "holdings", "holding company", "group", etc., the CRO will require evidence
demonstrating that your company actually performs these functions. For instance,
if you use "group" in the name, you may need to present the proposed group structure.
It's important to note that reserving a Company Name with words implying specific functions
is not possible through the CRO’s online reservation form.
As an applicant seeking to register a company in Ireland, it's important to ensure the chosen
name meets all criteria set by the Companies Registration Office (CRO). This responsibility lies
with you, the applicant, to verify the acceptability of your proposed name prior to registration.
It is important to note that, if an objection to your Company Name arises even post-incorporation,
the CRO may require you to change it. As well as that during the registration process,
the CRO does not cross-reference the Register of Business Names or the Trademark Register at the
Patents Office.
Consequently, if your chosen name conflicts with existing business names or trademarks,
their owners might object.
Furthermore, choosing to
Register Your Company
with Incorpro streamlines the process, ensuring compliance and efficiency. For only €99 + VAT,
our Online Form simplifies the registration process, where we will guide
you through each step of the way.
NOTE: The Company Name Check Tool does not guarantee success by any means, it is
provided as guidance only, and may help you in choosing your desired Company Name.