A California LLC name must end with “LLC,” “L.L.C.” or “Limited Liability Company.” “Limited” may be shortened to “Ltd.” and “Company” to “Co.” The name must be distinguishable from other names on file and can’t include words such as bank, trust, trustee, incorporated, inc., corporation, corp., insurer or insurance company. You can reserve an available name for 60 days for $10.
Required ending
Every California LLC name must include one of these, usually at the end: Limited Liability Company, LLC or L.L.C. The words “Limited” and “Company” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” and “Co.”
Words you can’t use
- Bank, trust or trustee
- Incorporated, inc., corporation or corp.
- Insurer, insurance company, or any words suggesting the LLC issues insurance or takes on insurance risk
- Anything likely to mislead the public about what the business is
The name must be distinguishable
Your name has to be distinguishable in the records from every LLC already registered or reserved in California. Small differences usually don’t count, such as a different ending (LLC vs. L.L.C.), punctuation, spacing, “The” or making a word plural. “Sunrise Rentals LLC” and “Sunrise Rental, L.L.C.” would likely be treated as the same name.
How to check and hold a name
- Search the name, and close variations of it, in bizfile Online’s business search.
- Reserve it if you aren’t ready to file. A name reservation costs $10 and holds the name for 60 days.
- Or just file. When you order with us, we check the name before filing and contact you if it isn’t available, so your filing isn’t rejected.
Using a different name in business
Your LLC can operate under a brand name that differs from its legal name. In California, that means filing a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with the county clerk where your business is located and publishing a notice in a local newspaper within 30 days. A fictitious business name statement is good for five years.
State approval isn’t a trademark
The Secretary of State accepting your name doesn’t give you trademark rights. Search the USPTO trademark database before you invest in a brand, and check that the domain name and social media handles are available.
Source: California Secretary of State, Business Entities; California Corporations Code section 17701.08.
Questions
Can I change my LLC’s name later?
Yes, by filing an amendment to the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, then updating your bank, licenses and the IRS.
Can my LLC name include my own name?
Yes, if it is distinguishable from names on file. Keep in mind that it links you to the company publicly, which a privacy LLC is meant to avoid.
Is the name reservation required?
No. It is optional and only useful if you need to hold a name before you are ready to file.
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 against California Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board sources. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.