Explore the pros and cons of naming your business after yourself, a decision that can significantly impact your brand's identity and long-term success.
As a new entrepreneur, you want to know how to name your business after yourself and to learn the pros or cons of using your personal name as a business name.
Lots of my business startup clients also ask this question so I have researched the topic and written this article which includes case study statistics and success tips from business naming experts.
Quick Summary:
You should name your business after yourself if your business products are your artistic creations such as designers, singers and actors WHO ARE their brands such as the fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg and singer Barbara Streisand.
All other types of companies selling products and services, should NOT use their personal name as the business name. Other reasons to not use your personal name include the difficulty of trademark registration, restricted expansion options, and less professional image.
Let’s explore this concept further of naming your business using your personal name with this list of considerations to review.
I purposely have listed the cons first on this list because I strongly recommend that you do not use your personal name as your business name for the majority of startup companies. Sure there are a few pros for using your personal name and I do list those below.
>NOTE: There are some special exceptions. Some states require professionals who are specially licensed such as attorneys and medical professionals to use their personal names within their company names. Refer to this state by state professional entities’ requirements.
>> How to Name Your Restaurant in 6 Easy Steps
Since we have covered all the cons of using your personal name as your business name I want to point out the few pros of using your name as your brand
Check Out These 8 Great Examples of Personal Domain Names That Actually Worked For Their Founders
My hope is that this article has given you good food for thought about how to name your business with your personal name and if it is a good idea for your company.
I urge you to strongly (and honestly) consider if you are trying to feed your ego or establish a strong, long-lasting business name that can expand nationally and stand the test of time over generations.Can I use my initials as a business name?
Technically, yes you can use the initials of your name as your company name. But, branding experts recommend against it. That is because a few odd letters will never communicate well the benefits of your products or services to prospective customers. Would you call ABC Electric or We Fix Your Shorts Electric?
Can I name your LLC after yourself?
Yes, you can name your LLC after yourself, however, legal experts recommend to then always include the letters LLC after your name when you are referring to your business company. First, you will need to search your state’s business database to be certain that another person (with your same name) has not already reserved that LLC name.Does my LLC name have to match my business name?
No, your LLC name does not to exactly match your business name. Learn more about “Does LLC Name Have to Match Business Name or Website Name” in my in-depth article here.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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