Decide Your Business Name

You can find the right business name with creativity and market research. Once you’ve picked your name, you should protect it by registering it with the right agencies.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a clear guide to choosing and registering your business name through four main types of protection: entity name, trademark, DBA (Doing Business As), and domain name. Each method offers different levels of legal and brand protection, depending on your business structure, location, and goals. The guide also provides insights into how to check for name availability, avoid trademark conflicts, and understand what is legally required versus optional. Whether you’re launching a new venture or formalizing your brand, this resource is essential for protecting your business identity at both the state and federal levels.