Choosing a company name in Hong Kong is more than a branding decision. The name must meet legal requirements set by the Companies Registry under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Names cannot be reserved. A rejected name means lost government fees. Getting this right before filing saves time and money. For the full registration process, see our guide to how to register a company in Hong Kong.
Highlights of this article
- Company names must be unique and not identical or too similar to any existing registered name or trademark.
- English names must end with "Limited" (not "Ltd."). Chinese names must end with "有限公司".
- Names can be in English, Traditional Chinese, or both. Mixed scripts in a single name are not permitted.
- "HK", "Hong Kong", and "Hongkong" are treated as identical. Grammatical variations do not create unique names.
- Restricted words (Bank, Insurance, Trust, SFC, CPA) require regulatory pre-approval before filing.
Key Requirements for a Hong Kong Company Name
Every company name registered under the Companies Ordinance must meet these rules:
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Uniqueness | Must not be identical or too similar to an existing registered name |
| Language | English, Traditional Chinese, or both. No mixed scripts in a single name. |
| English ending | Must end with "Limited" (not "Ltd." or "Limited.") |
| Chinese ending | Must end with "有限公司" |
| No offensive language | Cannot be misleading, offensive, or imply government connection |
| Restricted words | Bank, Insurance, Trust, Trustee, SFC, CPA require pre-approval |
| Trademark conflicts | Cannot infringe an existing registered trademark |
Names cannot be reserved in advance. The Companies Registry processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis. If your name is rejected, the application fee is non-refundable. Prepare at least 2 to 3 backup names before filing.
Language Options for Your Company Name
English-Only Names
The name must consist of only English letters, numbers, and permitted punctuation. It must end with "Limited" as the last word. Examples of valid endings: "ABC Trading Limited", "XYZ Holdings Limited".
"Ltd." is not acceptable as a substitute for "Limited" in the registered name, though it may appear on stationery and business cards once registered.
Chinese-Only Names
The name must be in Traditional Chinese characters (not Simplified Chinese). It must end with "有限公司". The Companies Registry does not accept Simplified Chinese for company names.
Dual-Language Names (English + Chinese)
You can register both an English and a Chinese name simultaneously. The 2 names are legally separate. There is no requirement for the Chinese translation to match the English name.
Example: "Dragon Gate Holdings Limited" paired with "龍門控股有限公司" are treated as 2 separate names. You can also have a Chinese name that has no direct English equivalent.
You cannot combine English and Chinese characters into a single hybrid name (e.g., "ABC 香港 Limited" is not permitted).
How to Check If Your Company Name Is Available
Checking availability before filing is essential. Use all 3 of these:
1. Companies Registry Index of Company Names Search the ICRIS Cyber Search Centre for existing registered names. This is free and does not require an account. Search for your proposed name and close variations.
2. Trade Mark Search System Check the Intellectual Property Department's e-Filing Portal to verify the name or a similar version is not already a registered trademark in relevant classes.
3. Domain and Social Media Not a legal requirement, but availability of matching domains and social handles affects your brand. Check at the same time.
Run all 3 checks before filing. The Companies Registry index updates in near real time, but trademark databases may have a short lag for recently registered marks. For a full list of what the Companies Registry requires at incorporation, see Hong Kong company registration requirements.
Distinctiveness Rules: What Makes Names Too Similar
The Companies Registry assesses similarity holistically. A name can be rejected even if it is not identical to an existing name. Key rules:
Identical treatment:
- "HK", "Hong Kong", and "Hongkong" are treated as the same word
- Articles and prepositions ("The", "Of", "And", "&") are ignored in comparisons
- Punctuation differences (hyphens, spaces) are not sufficient to create distinction
- Grammatical variations of the same root word are not distinct
Examples of names that would be rejected as too similar:
- "Hong Kong Trading Limited" vs "HK Trading Limited": identical under the rules
- "Pearl River Holdings Limited" vs "Pearl-River Holdings Limited": punctuation alone is not distinct
- "Fast Logistics Limited" vs "Fast Logistic Limited": grammatical variation is not sufficient
What does create distinction:
- Genuinely different words with different meanings
- Addition of a distinctive word that changes the overall impression
- Different language (English vs. Chinese), though brand confusion issues may still arise
Restricted Words Requiring Pre-Approval
Certain words are restricted under Hong Kong law and require consent from the relevant regulator before the Companies Registry will accept the name:
| Restricted Word | Regulator |
|---|---|
| Bank, Banking, Banker | Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) |
| Insurance, Assurance, Reinsurance | Insurance Authority |
| Trust, Trustee | Companies Registry (additional requirements) |
| SFC, Securities | Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) |
| CPA, Certified Public Accountant | Hong Kong Institute of CPAs |
| University, College | Education Bureau |
| Chamber of Commerce | Specific approval required |
| Royal, Imperial, Government | Approval from Chief Executive's Office |
Applying without pre-approval from the relevant regulator will result in rejection. Some regulators require a licence application before they will grant consent for the name. This process can take weeks or months.
Ready to register your Hong Kong company? Air Corporate checks your proposed name against the Companies Registry database and advises on restricted words and similarity issues before filing, at no extra charge. Get started →
Naming Strategies for New Businesses
Once you understand the rules, consider which naming approach fits your business:
Descriptive names state what the business does: "Pacific Logistics Limited", "Digital Solutions HK Limited". These are easy to understand but may be harder to protect as trademarks since they describe a category.
Geographic names combine a location with a business type: "Asia Pacific Advisory Limited", "Greater Bay Capital Limited". Useful for signalling market focus, but "Hong Kong", "Asia", "Pacific" are common and may create similarity issues.
Abstract or invented names use coined words or combinations with no inherent meaning: "Zenith Global Limited", "Kova Technologies Limited". These are more distinctive and easier to trademark, but require more marketing effort to build recognition.
Founder-name companies use the founder's surname: "Chan & Associates Limited", "Li Group Holdings Limited". Common in professional services. Restriction: if the founder leaves, the name may no longer reflect the business accurately.
Practical tips:
- Keep it under 5 words. Shorter names are easier to use on correspondence and forms.
- Avoid initials-only names (e.g., "A.B.C. Limited"). They are common and risk similarity rejection.
- Check whether your name sounds natural in Cantonese if you plan to operate locally
- If global operations are planned, verify the name does not have negative connotations in other languages
Company Name vs. Trademark: Two Different Protections
A registered company name and a registered trademark serve different legal purposes and are governed by different laws:
| Aspect | Company Name | Trademark |
|---|---|---|
| Registered with | Companies Registry | Intellectual Property Department |
| What it protects | Right to use name as company identifier | Exclusive commercial use of mark in specific goods/services classes |
| Geographic scope | Hong Kong only | Hong Kong (national registration) or international (Madrid Protocol) |
| Duration | Permanent (tied to company existence) | 10 years, renewable |
| Scope of protection | Company identity only | Commercial use across specified classes |
| Stops others using it? | Prevents identical company registration | Prevents commercial use in registered classes |
A registered company name does not give you trademark rights. Another company can trade using a similar name as a brand without registering it as a company. If brand protection matters to your business, register both.
Register the trademark with the Intellectual Property Department as soon as possible after incorporating. Trademark rights are first-to-file in Hong Kong.
Changing Your Company Name
Name changes are permitted at any time after registration. The process:
| Step | Action | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pass a special resolution at a general meeting (75%+ shareholder vote) | Nil |
| 2 | File Form NNC2 with the Companies Registry | HKD 295 |
| 3 | Notify Inland Revenue Department within 1 month using Form IR1121 | Nil |
| 4 | Update Business Registration Certificate | Included |
| 5 | Update bank accounts, contracts, and regulatory licences | Varies |
Processing time: 3 to 5 business days after filing. Once approved, the Companies Registry issues a new Certificate of Incorporation with the updated name. The company registration number does not change.
The old name becomes available to other applicants immediately after the name change is registered. Air Corporate's company secretary service handles the filing, IRD notification, and documentation for name changes as part of ongoing compliance.
