What is a company name?

The corporate name of a company, also known as the corporate nameis its official name. It is the name under which the company is registered with the public authorities and the RCS (Registre national du Commerce et des Sociétés).

The company name must appear on all official company documents (invoices, quotes, purchase orders, accounting documents, tax documents, etc.). This is why the company name must be chosen with great care.

Let's find out everything you need to know about determining your company's name.

What is a company name?

Just as every individual has a first and last name, every company also has a corporate name. Also known as a company name, this is its official identifier with the RCS (Registre national du Commerce et des Sociétés).

This gives the company a legal personality,identifies the legal entity and ensures that it is not confused with other companies.

A company's name is freely chosen by its founders.

However, it cannot be identical to that of another company registered with the RCS. It is customary to specify the legal status after the company name (e.g. "Dupont SARL").

Corporate name, business name and trading name: what are the differences?

There's really no difference between a company name and a business name: both serve to officially identify the company to the authorities.

Only one difference remains: the corporate name is legally used to qualify commercial companies, whereas the business name applies to civil companies.

The trade name refers to the name of the business or activity. It may be different from the company name, and need not be registered with the RCS.

How do I choose a company name for my business?

Choosing a company name is not always easy.

The rule is simple: it' s up to you to create it. It simply doesn't have to have already been chosen by another company. Most often, a term relating to the company's activities, a name or a pseudonym is chosen.

To check the availability of your proposed corporate name, simply visit the INPI website to check that it is not a registered trademark.

The Infogreffe website to check that the company name does not correspond to that of another company. Finally, the AFNIC website website to check that it does not already correspond to the domain name of an existing website.

How do I register my company name?

Registration of a company's name is automatic when the company is registered with the Clerk of the Commercial Court.

The company name must therefore be entered on the M0 form corresponds to your company's legal status.

How to protect a company name?

A company name is not a brand name, but simply its official name. No other company can adopt it.

On the other hand, if you choose to market products under this same name, it is advisable to register a trademark with INPI or WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).

In this way, you will have ownership rights to the brand. Any marketing of copies or counterfeits will be punishable by law. No other entrepreneur will be able to operate a brand under the same name.

Is it possible to change a company's name?

A company's name is not definitive.

This can be modified at any time in the life of a company. To do so, it is necessary to amend the company's articles of associationpublish an announcement in a legal gazette and file an administrative file with the appropriate CFE (Centre de Formalités des Entreprises).

A company's name is a key element in conveying a clear and coherent image of your business to the general public.