In Hong Kong, a great company name is more than just a brand facade—it is the cornerstone of your legal identity. However, many entrepreneurs discover only at the moment of submitting their NNC1 form that their dream name doesn’t comply with government regulations.
Understanding the selection and restrictions of company names allows you to bypass tedious resubmission procedures and even prevent future legal disputes. We have summarized the essential naming rules for Hong Kong companies below.
The Legal Basics: Structural Requirements
According to the Companies Ordinance, the primary criteria for naming a company are "clarity" and "category identification":
● Language Restrictions: You may register a Chinese name, an English name, or both. However, you cannot mix Chinese and English characters within a single name (e.g., "CorpPlus Services 有限公司" is incorrect; it must be separated into the English "CorpPlus Services Limited" and the Chinese "創業加服務有限公司").
● Statutory Endings:
○ English Name: Must end with the word "Limited".
○ Chinese Name: Must end with the characters 「有限公司」.
○ (Note: You cannot use the abbreviation "Ltd" in the formal application, though it may be used for daily business operations.)
Pitfall Guide: Common Restrictions and Forbidden Words
Not all words can be combined freely. Restrictions on company names primarily fall into these categories:
Forbidden Names:
○ Names "identical" to those already on the Companies Registry index.
○ Names that the government deems criminal (e.g., involving fraud or impersonation).
○ Names that are contrary to the public interest or considered offensive.
Specific Words Requiring Approval: If you wish to use words that imply a connection to a government department or public body, you must obtain prior approval from the Chief Executive. Examples include: "Department", "Government", or "Commission".
Words Regulated by Other Ordinances: Certain terms such as "Bank", "Trust", or "Chamber of Commerce" usually require a license from the relevant regulatory body (such as the HKMA) before they can be used.
How to Determine if a Name is "Too Similar"?
This is often the biggest headache for startups. Even if a name is not identical, the government has the power to demand a mandatory name change within 12 months of registration if it is deemed "too similar" to an existing one.
Criteria for "Similarity" include:
● Synonyms: Such as "Hong Kong Services" vs. "HK Services."
● Punctuation and Spacing: "ABC Company Limited" and "A.B.C. Company Limited" are viewed as "identical" by the Registry.
● Phonetic Similarity: Chinese names that sound nearly identical, especially if the business nature overlaps, can trigger a dispute.
💡 Tip: When choosing a name, in addition to using the CR's "Cyber Search Centre," we strongly recommend performing a search on the IPD’s Trademark Search System to avoid receiving a lawyer's letter right after your launch.
Practical Steps: How to Conduct a Name Search
- Log in to the Companies Registry Cyber Search Centre (ICRIS).
- Enter your proposed name (Full Name) to ensure there are no 100% matches.
- Conduct a "Similar Name" search to weed out competitors that differ by only one or two characters.
Conclusion: Let the Professionals Help You Stand Out
While choosing a company name may seem simple, it involves legal compliance and long-term brand strategy. If you want to avoid getting bogged down in administrative details, CorpPlus offers a one-stop company registration service. We perform multi-layered searches and pre-audits to ensure your name is compliant, helping you settle in Hong Kong within 24 hours.
Want to know if your preferred company name will pass the audit?
👉 [Click here for a free name pre-audit https://wa.link/0rg7ar] — our CorpPlus experts are ready to provide instant compliance advice!