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How to Check if Your Business Name Is Already Taken

By Polaris Digital Studio · 5 min read · Updated March 2026

You've landed on the perfect name for your business. It feels right — catchy, professional, memorable. Before you print business cards, build a website, or file anything with the government, you need to do one thing: make sure no one else already owns it.

This is not just a paperwork issue. Using a name that's trademarked or already claimed in your state can result in forced rebranding, legal fees, and a reputation hit right as you're trying to launch. Here's exactly how to check, step by step — using mostly free tools.

Why This Check Matters

There are four separate places where a business name can be "taken" — and they don't talk to each other. A name can be free at the federal trademark level but taken in your state. Or free everywhere except as a .com domain. You need to check all four.

1

Search the Federal Trademark Database (USPTO)

Go to the USPTO TESS database (trademark search tool on the USPTO.gov website). Search for your exact name and similar-sounding names. A registered trademark means someone has federal protection — using that name could expose you to a lawsuit even if you're in a different city.

2

Check Your State's Business Registry

Every state has a Secretary of State website with a business entity search. Search your intended name to see if an LLC, corporation, or DBA already holds it in your state. This is a separate check from the federal trademark — and it matters for registration.

3

Search for the Domain Name

Even if the business name is legally free, if someone else has YourName.com, your brand will always be split. Check domain availability at a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy. Look for .com first — then .co, .net, or a local variant as backup.

4

Check Social Media Handles

Go to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and any platform you plan to use. Search for your business name. Namechk is a free tool that checks 30+ platforms at once. Consistent handles matter for brand trust — @YourBusiness on every platform beats a patchwork of close-but-not-quite names.

Pro Tip If the exact .com is taken but the business name passes all other checks, consider adding a city name (YourBusinessLA.com) or a descriptor (YourBusinessHQ.com). Avoid hyphens — they're hard to say out loud and look amateur.

What to Do If the Name Is Taken

Don't panic. You have options:

Once You've Confirmed It's Available

Move fast. Names go quickly. Here's the sequence:

  1. Register the domain immediately — domains cost $10–15/year and can be snapped up overnight
  2. Claim your social media handles right after — even if you won't use them all yet
  3. File your LLC or DBA with your state — this is typically $50–150 depending on the state
  4. Consider filing a trademark if you plan to expand nationally — costs around $350 per class through USPTO
Quick Reference: Free Tools USPTO TESS: trademark search · Your state's Secretary of State website: business entity search · Namecheap / GoDaddy: domain availability · Namechk: social handle availability across 30+ platforms

The Bottom Line

Taking 30 minutes to run this check before you launch saves you from months of legal headaches and a forced rebrand at the worst possible time. Do the four searches, document what you find, and move fast once you confirm it's clear.

Once your name is locked in, the next step is getting your business online with a website that actually converts. That's where we come in.

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