Business Name Checker: Is Your Business Name Available?
Check the username, domain, and social-handle availability for your business name across 45+ platforms in one search, and learn how the legal checks fit together.
"Available" means three different things when you are naming a company, and most founders only check one of them. A great business name is one that is open across all three: your state’s business registry, the trademark system, and the online world of domains and handles. NameCheq covers that third layer instantly; here is how all three work together so you do not build a brand you have to abandon later.
1. State business registration
Every US state keeps its own registry of business entities through the Secretary of State (or an equivalent office). When you form an LLC or corporation, your name must be distinguishable from other entities already registered in that state, and many states reject names that are merely similar, not just identical. You check this on your state’s official Secretary of State business-name search, which is free. NameCheq does not query these government registries, so always confirm legal availability directly with your state before you file.
2. Trademark search
A trademark is separate from state registration and from owning a domain. In the US, federal trademarks are searched and registered through the USPTO, and what matters is the “likelihood of confusion” with existing marks in your goods or services class, not just an exact match. Crucially, registering a domain or a handle gives you no trademark rights, you can own a name everywhere online and still be forced to rebrand by a trademark holder. A USPTO search before you commit is wise; for anything consequential, this is a question for a trademark attorney, not general guidance.
3. Online availability (where NameCheq comes in)
This is the layer NameCheq actually checks. Once a name clears the legal layers, you still need the matching domain and a consistent handle on the platforms your customers use. NameCheq checks one name across 45+ destinations at once, domains like .com and .io, social platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube, plus app stores and developer registries, so you can secure a coherent brand everywhere in a single search instead of opening forty tabs.
How to check a business name, step by step
A reliable order saves rework: (1) shortlist a few names; (2) search your state’s Secretary of State registry to confirm each is available to register; (3) run a USPTO trademark search for conflicts in your class; (4) use NameCheq to check domains and 45+ platform handles in one go; (5) immediately claim the domain and handles for your winner, because online availability disappears fastest. Doing the legal checks first means you never fall in love with a name you cannot legally use.
Frequently asked questions
Does NameCheq check if a business name is registered with my state?
No. NameCheq checks online availability, domains and 45+ platform handles. Whether a name is available to register as a business entity is determined by your state’s Secretary of State; use their official business-name search.
What are the three layers of business name availability?
State registration (your Secretary of State), trademark (the USPTO), and online presence (domains and social handles). They are independent, a name can be free in one layer and taken in another.
Does owning a domain or handle mean I legally own the name?
No. Registering a domain or social handle gives you no trademark rights. Legal ownership of a brand name comes from trademark law and, for the entity, state registration.
How do I search my state’s business registry?
Most Secretary of State websites have a free business-entity name search. Search there before filing; some states also let you reserve a name while you prepare paperwork.
Should I trademark my business name?
A USPTO search, and registration if the name is clear, protects your brand nationally. This is general information, not legal advice; consult a trademark attorney for anything important.
Why check domains and social handles so early?
A name that is legally available but already taken on key platforms forces an awkward rebrand. NameCheq checks 45+ platforms at once so you choose a name you can own everywhere.