Selecting a name for your company in the UAE is a critical step in the business setup process. The name you choose must comply with specific regulations and guidelines set forth by local authorities to ensure that it is both legally acceptable and professionally appropriate. Here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate the naming process and avoid common pitfalls.
1. Ensure the Name is Unique
Your trade name must not already be reserved for the same or a similar activity. To avoid conflicts and ensure uniqueness, conduct a thorough search to confirm that the name you have in mind is not already in use by another company. This step is crucial to prevent legal issues and potential rebranding.
2. Use of Existing Trade Names
You may use the trade name of another company only if your business is a franchise or branch of that existing company. In such cases, you must submit the franchise contract along with other relevant documents to the Registration Authority for approval.
3. Avoid Religious Names and Attributes
The name of your company should not include Allah’s name, “God,” or any divine attributes. This includes terms like “al Qader,” “al Aleem,” “al Razzaq,” and similar expressions. Avoid any form of religious wording or names associated with God, such as “Rahman” or “Rahim.” Names like “Muhammad Allah Trading” or “Uniting Church” are not permitted.
4. Steer Clear of Obscene or Offensive Words
Your company name must be free from obscene, indecent, or offensive words. Names that could be considered vulgar or inappropriate, such as “Trading Drugs” or “Opium Logistics,” are strictly prohibited.
5. Avoid Profanity and Discriminatory Language
The trade name should not contain any profanity or discriminatory terms. For instance, names like “Chinese Virus” or “LGBTQ” are unacceptable. The aim is to ensure that names do not offend or discriminate against any group.
6. Personal Names and Ownership
If the company name includes a personal name, that person must be a partner or owner of the company. A trade license cannot feature the name of someone who is not an owner or shareholder.
7. Full Names Only
When using a personal name as part of your trade name, it must include the full name—first name, middle name, and last name. Using only a family name or surname is not allowed.
8. No Translations or Special Characters
Trade names should not be translated; they must be written as they are or transliterated into English or Arabic. Additionally, avoid using punctuation marks or special characters (., /) in the name. The name should be straightforward and clean.
9. Avoid Country, Government, and City Names
The name should not include the name of any country, government, city, town, suburb, or famous neighborhood. For example, “Emirates Contracting Services” or “Sharjah Shipping” are not acceptable.
10. No Political or Religious Affiliations
Trade names should not reference global political organizations, sectarian, or religious affiliations. Examples like “FBI” or “Mafia” are prohibited.
11. Reflect Business Activity
The trade name should ideally reflect the business activity or type of business, such as “Trading,” “Consulting,” or “Services.” This helps in clearly identifying the nature of your business to potential clients and partners.
12. No Special Characters
Avoid using any punctuation marks or special characters in your trade name. The name should be written plainly without dots, slashes, or spaces.
13. No Infringement on Existing Brands
Ensure that your trade name is not identical or similar to any existing local or global brands, government projects, or registered trademarks. Names like “Emaar” or “Kentucky” are examples of names that cannot be used.
14. Avoid Certain Prefixes
The trade name cannot start with words like “International,” “Middle East,” “Global,” or “Universal,” nor should these terms appear in the Arabic translation of the name.
15. Use of “Gulf”
The term “Gulf” cannot be used as the first word in the trade name but may be used as the second word or later in the name.
16. No Domain Extensions in Name
Do not include website domain extensions (.com, .ae, .eu, .uk, etc.) in your trade name.
Making the Naming Process Easy
Navigating these naming guidelines can seem complex, but Corppluse Management Consultancy is here to help. Our expertise simplifies the process, ensuring that your trade name complies with all regulations and is approved smoothly. Contact us today to get your company name approved and move forward with your business registration.
Contact Us:
Email: Contact@corppluse.com
Phone: +971 4665 7800
Let Corppluse Management Consultancy guide you through the name approval process and set you on the path to business success in the UAE.
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