How to Check If a Company Name Is Available

Quick answer: Search the name on CIPC's online services, avoid names too close to existing companies or trademarks, and prepare up to four options in order of preference.

How CIPC checks names

CIPC compares your proposed name with names already registered or reserved. If it is the same as, or too similar to, an existing name, it will be rejected.

Tips that get names approved

• Make it distinctive: "Thandi's Bakery" beats "Bakery"
• Avoid well-known brand names and trademarks
• Avoid words that suggest you are a bank, government body or something you are not
• Check that the matching .co.za domain is free too

Why have four options?

A name reservation request can include several names in order of preference. If the first is taken, the next can be approved without starting again.

Name reservation vs registration

Reserving a name holds it for a limited time. Registering the company makes it yours.

Our R990 registration includes the name reservation.