Tips for Choosing Your Singapore Company Name
If you are having a difficult time deciding on your Singapore company name and want to make sure that you stay within guidelines, you can refer to these simple tips:
Check if the Name Has a Similar Pronunciation
Certain words may sound the same, such as Pang, Phang, Bang, or D’Blues, The Blues, and De’Blues, for example.
Check if the Name Includes Countries and Places
One example is how “Anderson Manufacturing” sounds the same as “Anderson Manufacturing Asia”, “Anderson Manufacturing Singapore”, and “Anderson Manufacturing International”.
Check for Names With Different Sequences
If your name, for example, is “Apple, Orange, and Banana”, check for “Orange, Apple, and Banana”, “Banana, Apple, and Orange”, or “Orange, Banana, and Apple”.
Steer Away From Words That May Need More Licences
Certain words may warrant further inspection from regulatory bodies and you may be told to omit the word in your company name or apply for additional licences. Examples of words include “academy”, “insurance”, “bank”, and “university”.
Ensure That it Reflects Your Brand Identity
The company name you choose should reflect your brand identity while conveying your company’s core values and goals. Hence, you should incorporate words that represent those values into your name. It should also match your visual and branding styles, such as the logo and colour palette.
You must also think about how others will view your brand. Consider whether it will resonate with them and establish a positive impression, allowing it to stand out from the rest of the competitors.
Singapore Company Name Approval Guidelines
Remember that the Singapore company Registrar can demand that you change your name discreetly if a person or entity lodges a valid complaint within 12 months. Here are some tips to raise your chances of approval:
Ensure the Proposed Company Name is Not Identical to an Existing Business
You must avoid choosing identical names that are the same as an existing company. You can perform a company name check here to determine if it is already registered by an existing entity.
If the company name you want is already registered by another business, you must think about alternative names or add words to differentiate your proposed name. However, according to ACRA, the words below do not qualify as being sufficiently different:
| The (start of name) | Asia | Asia Pacific | Associates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | And Company | Corporation | Group |
| Holding/Holdings | Incorporated | International | Partner/Partners |
| Partnership/Parnerships | Singapore | South Asia | South East Asia |
| Trading | Worldwide | Berhad or Bhd | Limited or Ltd |
| Limited Liability Partnership or LLP | Limted Partnership or LP | Private or Pte | Public Accounting Corporation or PAC |
| Sendirian or Sdn | .co | .com | .edu |
| .gov | .net | .org | .sg |
Here are examples of identical name applications that will be rejected:
| Existing Business Name in ACRA Register | Rejected Business Name |
|---|---|
| Morning Caffeine Pte Ltd | Morning Caffeine International Pte Ltd |
| Morning Caffeine Pte Ltd | The Morning Caffeine Pte Ltd |
| Morning Caffeine Pte Ltd | Morning Caffeine LLP |
Ensure the Name is Not Reserved
Similarly, you must make sure that the name has not been reserved yet. The name will be held for 120 days and will only be released if the company has not incorporated the business.
Ensure the Name is Not Undesirable
Remember that ACRA will reject your application if you choose a name that is obscene, vulgar, or offensive. As Singapore is a multi-racial country, you must ensure that the chosen name does not offend any race or religion. It should also avoid choosing a name that is similar to those of government bodies or protected by law, such as “Temasek”.
How to Register a Company Name in Singapore
After you have decided on a company name, you must register it with ACRA. Here is how the process goes:
Step 1: Register Your Company Name on BizFile+
You must first register your name on BizFile+ and pay a fee of S$15.
Step 2: Specify Your Business Activity
When you register your name on BizFile+, you are also required to specify the primary and secondary activities of your business by selecting the most relevant and applicable Singapore Standard Industrial Classification Code (SSIC) that corresponds to your expected business activity.
This code is the national standard created by the Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS) and classifies all registered companies into different industries based on their primary economic activity.
Certain business activities may require companies to apply for additional licences or permits before they can commence operations after registration.
Step 3: Register Your Business Within 120 Days of Approval
After your company name is approved, you must register your business in Singapore within the next 120 days that it is reserved for. Failure to do that will result in ACRA releasing the name.
Get Professional Help With Choosing a Company Name
It is critical to ensure that you have the appropriate name for your business to facilitate successful company registration in Singapore. This will help to reduce the likelihood of future complaints or issues with your business name.
To ensure that you have a suitable company name, it is highly recommended to seek professional help from a corporate service provider such as InCorp. We have the expertise and experience in choosing an appropriate name for your company, ensuring that it complies with ACRA’s guidelines and regulations.
Additionally, we can also assist with the necessary paperwork and processes involved in registering your business, saving you time and effort. Contact us now to start!
FAQs about Singapore Company Name
- A company cannot register similar names in Singapore, even names with the same meaning as a registered business.
- You can check whether the company name you want is already taken with our complimentary name check tool!
- A good company name in Singapore is one that resonates with your business values, complies with local regulations, and stands out in the marketplace.
About the Author
InCorp’s content team includes talented copywriters from our regional group and globally. We contribute informative, thought leadership, and market-trending articles to guide aspiring business entrepreneurs to a higher level across the Asia-Pacific region.
