Written by Sneha Patwari, Corporate Secretary Lead
I've guided hundreds of founders through the incorporation process across Hong Kong and Singapore. The questions are always different; the mistakes are usually the same. I write to help people avoid them.
Key Takeaways
1.
An English company name must end with "Limited" and a Chinese name with "有限公司", and a single name can't mix English letters and Chinese characters.
2.
The Companies Registry rejects a name that's the same as one already on its index, and can later order a change if yours is "too like" another.
3.
You can't reserve a name in Hong Kong. Check it for free on the Registry's e-Services Portal, then file your incorporation quickly.
4.
Some words, such as "Trust" or "Bank", need approval from the Registry or another regulator before you can use them.
Most founders think the hard part of naming a company is finding something catchy. In Hong Kong, the bigger risk is picking a name the Companies Registry won't accept, or one that another company can force you to give up a year after you've printed your invoices.
The Registry doesn't give provisional approval or reserve names. You only find out whether a name is registrable when your incorporation is processed, so it pays to check it properly first.
This guide covers the legal rules for Hong Kong company names, how to run a name search, the words that need approval, and some practical advice on choosing a name that works for your business. We consulted the list of all the registered company names in Hong Kong in order to orient our advice with actual data.
The Basic Rules for a Hong Kong Company Name
According to the Companies Registry's Guideline on Registration of Company Names, a private limited company must follow these rules:
| Rule | What It Means in Practice |
|---|---|
| Language | English only, Chinese only, or both an English and a Chinese name |
| No Mixing | A single name can’t combine English letters and Chinese characters |
| English Ending | Must end with the word “Limited”. “Ltd” isn’t accepted as the last word |
| Chinese Ending | Must end with “有限公司” |
| Chinese Characters | Traditional characters only, found in the Kang Xi or Ci Hai dictionary. Simplified characters are rejected |
Names the Companies Registry Won't Register
The Registry will refuse a name if:
- it's the same as a name already on the Registrar's Index of Company Names;
- it's the same as the name of a body set up under a Hong Kong Ordinance;
- in the Registrar's opinion, using it would be a criminal offence;
- in the Registrar's opinion, it's offensive or otherwise contrary to the public interest.
It will also refuse a name that's identical to one the Registrar has previously ordered another company to change, unless the Registrar consents.
What Counts as "the Same" Name
The Registry ignores some differences when it compares names. "The" at the start, endings like "Company Limited" or "Co., Limited", capital letters, spaces, accent marks and punctuation are all disregarded. "And" and "&" count as the same, as do "Hong Kong", "Hongkong" and "HK".
So "A-B-C Hong Kong Company Limited" is treated as the same name as "ABC HK Limited". If the second already exists, the first will be rejected.
"Too Like" Another Name
When it registers your company, the Registry only checks whether your name is the same as an existing one. It doesn't check whether it's too similar. That comes later, usually after another company complains.
Under section 108 of the Companies Ordinance, the Registrar can direct you to change a name that's "too like" an existing company name within 12 months of registration. Names can be too like each other if they sound the same (Lyfecity and Lifecity), differ only by a small spelling change or a grammatical variation (Advance Travel and Advanced Travel), or share a distinctive made-up word with only a weak qualifier added, such as "Holding" or "International".
If a company ignores a direction to change its name, it and its officers can be fined up to HKD 100,000, plus HKD 2,000 for each day the default continues. The Registrar can also replace the name with the words "Company Registration Number" followed by the company's number.
Words That Need Approval First
Some names need the Registrar's approval before you file:
- Names that suggest a connection with the Central People's Government or the Hong Kong government, or any of their departments. Words like "Department", "Government", "Bureau" or "Authority" will normally be refused unless the connection is genuine.
- Names containing a word listed in the Companies (Words and Expressions in Company Names) Order (Cap. 622A). In English, these are "chamber of commerce", "kaifong", "levy", "savings", "tourist board", "tourist association", "trust" and "trustee".
Other laws restrict certain words too. The Registry's guideline gives these examples:
| Word | Who Controls It |
|---|---|
| “Bank” or 銀行 | Hong Kong Monetary Authority consent, under the Banking Ordinance |
| “Insurance” or “Assurance” | Insurance Authority written consent, under the Insurance Ordinance |
| “Stock Exchange” | Reserved for the recognised exchange company, under the Securities and Futures Ordinance |
| “Certified Public Accountant” or “CPA” | Only for practising firms, under the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance |
Using one of these words without permission is a criminal offence, not just a reason for rejection. If your business is in a regulated sector, speak to the regulator before you settle on a name.
How to Check If a Company Name Is Available
The Companies Registry's company name FAQ sets out the steps. Searching is free.
- Go to the Registry's e-Services Portal and open the free Company Name Search. You can also search in person at the e-Services Centre on the 13th floor of Queensway Government Offices.
- Choose "Exact Name Search" and enter the full name you want, including "Limited" or "有限公司". Use English or traditional Chinese only. Simplified characters return "no matching record found" even when a match exists.
- Check the separate list of names that have been subject to a change of name direction. There's a link to it on the search results screen.
- Run a "Left Partial Search" with just the first part of your name and the status set to "ALL". This shows current and old names that start the same way, which helps you spot names that could be "too like" yours.
- Search the Intellectual Property Department's trade mark register. The Registry recommends this to reduce the risk of a trade mark infringement or passing-off claim.
A clear search doesn't guarantee approval. Registrability is only confirmed when the Registry processes your incorporation form, and a registered company name doesn't give you trade mark rights. If the name matters to your brand, consider registering it as a trade mark as well.
Practical Tips for Choosing a Name
The rules tell you what the Registry will accept. They don't tell you what will work for your business.
Pick Something Memorable
A name that's easy to say and spell is easier for clients to find and recommend. Common words make names harder to tell apart. When we reviewed registered Hong Kong company names in 2024, we found "Technology" in 8,519 names and "International" in 8,289, so adding either one won't make your name stand out.
Leave Room to Grow
Avoid tying the name to one product. A company called "Lug-Nut-Shaped Dog Shoes Limited" has a problem the day it starts selling dog coats. "Lee's Pooch Couture Limited" covers any kind of dog clothing you might sell later.
Changing a name later is possible, but it costs time. You'll need to update your Business Registration Certificate, contracts, invoices and business account details.
Check How It Sounds in Cantonese
A word that's harmless in English or Japanese can sound like slang in Cantonese. "PK", for example, is used as shorthand for a Cantonese insult, and some short syllables sound like swear words. Numbers carry meaning too: 4 sounds like the Cantonese word for "death" and is widely avoided.
If you're not a Cantonese speaker, ask someone who is to read the name aloud before you file, especially if you're adding a Chinese name.
Check the Domain and Social Handles
Before you file, check whether a matching domain and social media handles are free. Also read the name written as one word, as it would appear in a web address, to make sure it doesn't spell something you didn't intend.
How to Change a Company Name After Registration
According to the Registry's guide to changing a company name:
- The shareholders pass a special resolution approving the new name.
- The company files Form NNC2 within 15 days after the resolution, with a fee of HKD 295.
- The Registry issues a Certificate of Change of Name, normally within 1 hour if filed online or within 4 working days on paper.
The new name takes effect from the date on the certificate. You don't need to file the special resolution or the altered articles of association with the Registry for a name change. If the new name can't be registered, the fee isn't refunded in full.
How Statrys Can Help
Statrys has incorporated over 1,600 companies. When you incorporate with us, our team checks your proposed name against the Registry's index and flags names likely to be rejected before we file. Your Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate are issued together once the filing is accepted.
To get started, see our Hong Kong company registration service, or read our guide to company formation in Hong Kong for the full process.
FAQs
How Do I Check If a Company Name Is Available in Hong Kong?
Use the free Company Name Search on the Companies Registry's e-Services Portal. Choose "Exact Name Search" and enter the full name, including "Limited" or "有限公司", in English or traditional Chinese. Also check the list of names subject to change of name directions, and search the Intellectual Property Department's trade mark register, as the Registry recommends.
Can I Reserve a Company Name in Hong Kong?
No. The Companies Registry doesn't reserve names or give provisional approval. A name is only confirmed as registrable when the Registry processes your incorporation application. If someone else registers the same name before you file, yours will be rejected, so file soon after you've checked availability.
Can a Hong Kong Company Name End With "Ltd"?
No. Section 102 of the Companies Ordinance requires an English company name to end with the word "Limited". The Registry treats "Ltd" as the same as "Limited" when comparing names, but "Ltd" can't be the last word of the registered name. A Chinese name must end with "有限公司".
Can I Use Both English Letters and Chinese Characters in a Company Name?
No. A single company name can't combine English letters and Chinese characters. You can register an English name, a Chinese name in traditional characters, or one of each, and each name must meet its own rules, including the correct ending. Check both names in the Registry's search before you file.
How Much Does It Cost to Change a Company Name in Hong Kong?
The Companies Registry charges HKD 295 to register a change of name on Form NNC2, which must be filed within 15 days after the shareholders pass a special resolution. Online filings normally receive the new certificate within an hour. You'll also need to update your Business Registration Certificate, contracts, invoices and business account details.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Speak to a qualified professional if you're unsure whether a name can be registered or used.
Share this content
