A Hong Kong company name search is free and takes a few minutes on the Companies Registry's Cyber Search Centre. It tells you whether a name already exists on the register. It does not reserve the name, does not approve it, and does not check trademarks. Those three gaps are where most naming problems start.
To pass the Registry, an English name must end in "Limited," a Chinese name must end in 有限公司, and the name must not be the same as an existing one or use restricted words without approval.
This guide covers the rules, how to search, why names get refused, and what changes when you want to rename later.
The Basic Company Name Rules
Every local company must follow these rules for its name:
Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
Ending | English names end with "Limited." Abbreviations such as "Ltd" are not used in the registered name. Chinese names end with 有限公司 |
Language | English only, Chinese only, or one English and one Chinese name together |
No mixing | One name cannot mix English letters and Chinese characters |
Characters | Chinese names use traditional characters from recognized dictionaries. Simplified characters are not accepted |
Not the same | The name cannot be the same as one already on the Registry's index |
Not offensive | Names that are offensive, would be a criminal offense, or are against the public interest are refused |
Restricted words | Some words need approval or consent before you can use them |
You do not need both an English and a Chinese name. Many foreign-owned companies register an English one only.
There is no requirement for the English and Chinese names to be translations of each other. They should still be recognizably linked, because banks and customers will compare them.
How to Do a Hong Kong Company Name Search
The official tool is the Companies Registry's Cyber Search Centre. The basic name search is free.
Step 1: Search the exact name
Use the exact name search and enter the name without "Limited." The results list companies with the same or very similar names, including dissolved ones in some views.
Step 2: Check close variations
Search singular and plural forms, spellings with and without spaces, and versions with "HK" or "Hong Kong." The Registry treats many of these as the same name.
Step 3: Check the Chinese name separately
If you plan a Chinese name, search it on its own. A free English name does not mean the Chinese one is free.
Step 4: Check trademarks
Search the Intellectual Property Department trademark database. The Companies Registry does not check trademarks, so a name it accepts can still infringe someone's brand.
Step 5: Check your digital presence
Check the domain names and social media handles you want. It is easier to adjust a name before incorporation than after.
[In-content image: hong-kong-company-name-search-results.jpg. Alt text: Results of a Hong Kong Companies Registry name search showing similar existing company names]
When Are Two Names "the Same"?
This catches more applicants than any other rule. When the Registry compares names, it ignores several differences:
• the word "The" at the start
• ending words such as "Limited," "Company" or "Corporation," and their abbreviations
• capital and small letters
• spaces, punctuation and most symbols
• "Hong Kong," "Hongkong" and "HK," which are treated as the same
So "Nova Trading Limited" and "The Nova Trading Company Limited" are treated as the same name. "Nova HK Limited" and "Nova Hong Kong Limited" are the same too. If one already exists, the other will be refused.
The "too like" rule
A name can pass registration and still be challenged later. If the Registrar decides a new name is too like an existing one, it can direct the company to change its name. This power can be used within 12 months after the name is registered, often after the owner of the older name complains.
Our position: if your search shows a company with a very similar name in the same industry, choose a different name. Winning an argument with the Registry later costs more than picking something distinct now.
Restricted Words in Company Names
Certain words need approval before the Registry will accept them, under the Companies (Words and Expressions in Company Names) Order (Cap. 622A). Examples include "Trust," "Savings," "Chamber of Commerce," and words suggesting a link to the government, such as "Bureau" or "Federation." These words are normally approved only where there is a genuine reason.
Other words are controlled by regulators rather than the Registry. Using "Bank" needs consent from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Words like "Insurance" or "Securities" can trigger questions from the relevant regulator, especially if the company is not licensed for that business.
A practical warning: a restricted word can delay incorporation even if you never planned to offer those services. "Global Asset Trust Limited" for a consulting firm is an easy way to lose two weeks.
Naming Pitfalls for Russian-Speaking Founders
Founders from Russia and the CIS run into a few problems that general guides do not mention.
Cyrillic is not allowed. The registered name must be in English letters or Chinese characters. A Russian brand name must be written in Latin letters.
Choose one transliteration and keep it. If the brand is "Звезда," decide whether the company is "Zvezda," "Zvezda Trading," or something else, then use exactly that on the website, invoices and bank forms. Banks notice small inconsistencies.
Check meaning in English and Cantonese. A transliterated word can mean something unintended in another language. Ask someone who speaks the language before you register.
Avoid country names you do not need. Names that include a country or region, such as "Russia" or "Eurasia," can draw extra attention from banks and payment providers. Keep the name neutral unless the geography is your brand.
Choosing a Name That Banks Like
The Registry's rules are the minimum. Banks and payment providers add their own, unwritten ones.
• Say what you do. "Nova Trading Limited" tells a compliance officer more than "Nova Global Holdings Limited," and fewer questions mean a faster review.
• Avoid hype words. Terms like "Capital," "Investment," "Fund" or "Crypto" can push an application into a higher-risk review, even for an ordinary consulting firm.
• Match your activity. If the website sells software and the registered name says "Logistics," expect questions.
• Keep it short. Long names get truncated on payment systems and invoices, which causes mismatches in documents later.
None of these is a legal requirement. All of them make the first year easier.
Company Name Search vs Company Search vs Trademark Search
These three searches answer different questions.
Search | Where | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
Company name search | Companies Registry, free | Whether a name already exists on the register |
Company search (by name or number) | Companies Registry, paid documents | Details of an existing company, such as its directors and filings |
Trademark search | Intellectual Property Department, free to search | Whether a brand is registered or applied for |
If you need to look up an existing company by its registration number, see our guide to the Hong Kong company registration number. To protect your brand after incorporation, read about Hong Kong trademark registration.
What Happens If the Registry Refuses Your Name?
If the name breaks one of the rules, the incorporation is not completed under that name. The Registry tells the presenter what the problem is, and you choose a different name and resubmit. Time is lost, not the whole application, but any documents already printed with the old name have to be redone.
The most common reasons for refusal, in rough order:
1. The name is the same as an existing one once the comparison rules are applied.
2. It contains a restricted word without approval.
3. It mixes English and Chinese, or uses simplified characters.
4. It suggests a government link or a regulated activity the company is not licensed for.
Your company secretary or incorporation provider should screen for all four before filing. Our guide to the Hong Kong company secretary role explains what else that role covers.
Names for a Branch of a Foreign Company
A foreign company registering a Hong Kong branch normally registers under its own corporate name. If that name is the same as, or too like, a name already on the register, the branch may have to use an approved alternative name for business in Hong Kong. A name in a language other than English or Chinese needs a certified translation filed with the registration.
The same company name rules on restricted words and offensive names apply to branches too.
Can You Reserve a Company Name?
No. Hong Kong has no name reservation system. A name is yours only when the Certificate of Incorporation is issued. Between your search and your filing, someone else can register the same name.
That is why it pays to file soon after you search, and to have a second choice ready. Most incorporations go through within a day of filing once documents are complete, which keeps the window short.
How to Change a Company Name Later
You can change a company name after incorporation, but it takes more work than choosing well at the start. The process:
1. Run a new search for the proposed name.
2. Pass a special resolution, which needs at least 75% of the voting shares.
3. File Form NNC2 with the Companies Registry within 15 days of the resolution, with a copy of the resolution and the fee, which is HK$295 for a local company under the Companies Registry fee schedule.
4. Once the Registry issues the Certificate of Change of Name, update the business registration, bank accounts, contracts, invoices and website.
The new name takes effect from the date on the certificate, not the date of the resolution. Step 4 is where the real cost sits, so it is worth getting the name right the first time.
Using a Hong Kong Company Name Search the Right Way
Treat the search as the first filter, not the final answer. Check the exact name and its variations, check the Chinese name separately, search trademarks, and file soon after. If anything looks close to an existing company in your field, change it now.
For the full setup process, read how to start a business in Hong Kong as a foreigner. LAINEXUS checks names against the register and the restricted word list before filing, as part of our Hong Kong company registration service, and protects brands through our intellectual property service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hong Kong company name check free?
Yes. The basic name search on the Companies Registry's Cyber Search Centre is free. You pay only if you order official documents about an existing company, such as copies of its filings. A free search shows whether a name exists, but it does not approve or reserve the name.
Can two Hong Kong companies have similar names?
They can be similar, but not the same. The Registry ignores differences such as "The," ending words, capitals, spaces and punctuation when comparing names. If a new name is too like an existing one, the Registrar can direct a change within 12 months after registration.
Can I register both an English and a Chinese name?
Yes. A company can have an English name, a Chinese name, or one of each. The English name must end in "Limited" and the Chinese name in 有限公司. You cannot mix English letters and Chinese characters within the same name, and simplified Chinese characters are not accepted.
Does an available name guarantee approval?
No. A free search only shows that no identical name is on the register. The Registry can still refuse a name that uses restricted words without approval, is offensive or misleading, or is the same as another name once its comparison rules are applied. Approval comes with the incorporation certificate.
Can I use my Russian brand name for a Hong Kong company?
Yes, if it is written in English letters. Cyrillic characters cannot be used in a registered company name. Choose one transliteration, check that it is free on the register and the trademark database, and use exactly the same spelling on your website, invoices and bank documents.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Naming rules and fees were checked on 8 October 2026 and can change. Confirm current requirements with the Companies Registry before filing.