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A unique business name is important for branding, but it’s easy to get lost in all the Louisiana business name rules.
This page will teach you how to look up your LLC name and make sure it’s available to use.
Louisiana LLC name
If you file your Louisiana LLC paperwork with a name that is already used by another Louisiana business entity – or that doesn’t meet the Louisiana name rules – your filing may be rejected.
The first step to checking if your LLC name passes is to make sure your name is not already taken by another business.
You can do this using the Business Filings Search. And you need to do this because two business entities in the state can’t have the same name or be too similar.
The second step is to make sure your LLC name follows the Louisiana Secretary of State’s rules, which we’ve broken down below.
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How do I search the Louisiana business entity name database?
You can use the business entity search to search your business name against the existing business entities registered in Louisiana.
Note: This tool is sometimes called the Louisiana Business Name Search or the Louisiana Business Entity Search. They both refer to the same website and get you the same search records.
Visit the Louisiana Business Filings Search page:
Louisiana Secretary of State: Business Filings Search
It’s simple: enter your desired LLC name in the Entity Name field, and click search. .
Search tips:
- Leave out “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “Limited Liability Company”, etc., when doing your searches.
- Leave out any commas, periods, apostrophes, etc.
- You can search using uppercase or lowercase letters.
Tip: It’s best to enter only the main part of your desired Louisiana LLC name in the search bar. For example, if your desired LLC name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, first do a search for the words “Riverwalk Studio”. And then do a search for “Riverwalk”. This helps make sure that you see everything that is potentially similar.
How to interpret the Louisiana LLC search results
If the results show names that are not too similar to yours (meaning yours is distinguishable), then your Limited Liability Company name is available for use.
- Let’s keep using the example above. If your desired name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, and the only similar names you saw were “Riverwalk Subdivision” and “Riverwalk Studio Starters”, then your name should be available.
If no results show up, that means your LLC name is unique and it should be available for use. To be safe, run your search again using only part of your LLC name (to double-check that there are no similar names).
- For example, search just the word “Riverwalk” instead of Riverwalk Studios.
If your exact LLC name appears in the list of search records, your LLC name is not available for use because another Louisiana business entity is already using it.
If the results show a name that is very similar to yours, your LLC name may not be available for use.
- If your desired name is Riverwalk Studios LLC, and the search results show a “Riverwalk Studio”, then your name is not available.
What if my desired LLC name isn’t available?
If your name is not unique, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a different name for your LLC.
Tip: Wait until your LLC is approved before you apply for your LLC EIN Number or purchase any other marketing materials. This way you don’t spend money on business supplies you can’t use because your business name isn’t available.
When in doubt, call the Secretary of State
You can call the Louisiana Secretary of State to confirm that your LLC name is available.
Not all states offer this service, but the representatives in Louisiana will help you use the Louisiana Business Name Search and Name Availability Search to figure out whether your business name is available.
Their phone number is 225-925-4704. Their hours are Monday through Friday, from 8am to 4:30pm Central Time.
Louisiana Limited Liability Company Name Requirements
As per Section 1306 of the Louisiana LLC Act, there are a few rules and requirements for naming a Louisiana business entity that you need to know.
Do I have to use a comma in my LLC name?
No, you don’t have to. You can file your LLC name with or without a comma. Both versions are accepted by the Secretary of State.
For example: If your desired business name is Catahoula Kennels, you can file it as:
- Catahoula Kennels LLC
- Catahoula Kennels, LLC
Or, instead of having “LLC” as your designator (ending), there are a few other options in Louisiana.
What designators (endings) can I use in my LLC name?
Your Louisiana LLC name must contain one of the following designators at the end:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Liability Company
Note: Most people choose “LLC”.
The following designators are not allowed
Your Louisiana LLC can’t make itself sound like a Louisiana Corporation or any other business entity besides an LLC.
The following words and designators can’t be used anywhere in your LLC name:
- Inc.
- Corp.
- Incorporated
- Corporation
- Doing Business As
- DBA or d/b/a
What words are not allowed in my Louisiana LLC name?
Your Louisiana LLC name can’t contain words and abbreviations that are restricted by law.
For example, you can’t make your LLC name sound like it’s a bank, part of the government or a government agency, or anything else that misleads the public.
You also can’t use words that are reserved for licensed professionals. These vary by state, but some common examples are accountants, architects, attorneys, and dentists. In Louisiana, this also includes the words engineer, engineering, surveyor and surveying.
For more information about restricted words for a Louisiana business entity, please see this page: Louisiana Secretary of State Business Filing Information.
Your Louisiana business name must be distinguishable (unique)
When you search the Louisiana Secretary of State Business Filings Database, you will compare your desired LLC name to existing businesses in the state.
If your name is not unique, you’ll need to come up with a variation or a different business name.
Below are rules and examples of LLC names that are not distinguishable.
General Rules Only – Call to Check!
The Louisiana Secretary of State doesn’t publish their rules for what does or doesn’t make a business name distinguishable. The rules below are general guidelines that will help you make sure your name is unique.
After you read this lesson and use the Business Filings Search, you may want to call the Secretary of State. They can check whether your name is available before you file your LLC paperwork.
Designators
Differences in designators (endings) don’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Pelican Fishing LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found in the Louisiana Business Name Search results:
- Pelican Fishing, Inc.
- Pelican Fishing, Corp.
- Pelican Fishing, L.L.C.
Filler Words
Adding non-meaningful or filler words (the, a, an, and, &, of, or) won’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Strawberry Farms LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- The Strawberry Farms LLC
- A Strawberry Farm Inc.
- Strawberry and Farms L.L.C.
- Strawberry & Farms Corp
Plural or Singular Words and Possessive Words
Adding a letter “s” to make a word plural or possessive doesn’t create distinguishability.
If your desired LLC name is Bastien’s Magnolias LLC, it’s not available to use if any of the following are found:
- Bastien Magnolia LLC
- Bastien’s Magnolia Inc.
- Bastiens Magnolias, L.L.C.
What if my Louisiana business name is rejected?
If you file your Louisiana Articles of Organization (the document that creates your Louisiana LLC) and the business name is not available, don’t panic. The state will notify you and tell you why your filing was rejected.
You will just need to file again with a variation of your LLC name or a different LLC name.
Louisiana Business Name FAQs
Do I need a name reservation in Louisiana?
No, a name reservation isn’t required to form an LLC in Louisiana. It’s an unnecessary step and a waste of money.
You can just file your LLC’s Articles of Organization with your desired LLC name.
Does Louisiana require LLC in the name?
Yes. Your Louisiana LLC name must contain one of the allowable designators at the end. The most commonly used designator is “LLC”.
Does my Louisiana LLC need a DBA?
No, you’re not required to file a DBA (“Doing Business As”) for your business entity in Louisiana.
A DBA or Trade Name lets your LLC conduct business under a name which is different from its true and legal name (the name on your Articles of Organization).
If you want your LLC to do business under a name that’s different from its true and legal name, you have to file either a Trade Name Registration or a DBA Registration (or both).
In Louisiana, a Trade Name is filed with the Secretary of State. Trade names must be distinguishable from the names of other businesses. A Trade Name is a more formal filing – Louisiana treats Trade Names like a trademark.
Alternatively, you can file a DBA for your Louisiana LLC. This is the less formal filing, more like a “nickname” for your business. A DBA gets filed at the Parish/County level and doesn’t have to meet distinguishability requirements. The fees are also cheaper for a DBA.
You can file a Trade Name Registration online or by mail. You’ll also pay an additional fee of $75 to the Secretary of State.
If you’d rather just file a DBA for your LLC, contact the County Clerk or Parish Clerk where your business is located.
There is no limit to the number of Trade Names or DBAs an LLC can have.
For more information, please see Does my LLC need a DBA?
When would my LLC use a DBA?
Let’s say you form an LLC called Bayou Boat Tours LLC, but you also want to use a friendlier, catchy name, like Bayou Tours. In this case, your LLC would need to file a Trade Name Registration to use the name Bayou Tours. (Or, you could file a DBA with the Parish Clerk to use the name Bayou Tours.)
If you don’t file a Trade Name Registration for a different name, you can only use your legal entity name of Bayou Boat Tours LLC.
Similarly, if you want to do business under the name Bayou Boat Tours, just without the letters “LLC” in the name, you will need to file a DBA for Bayou Boat Tours.
How do I get a business domain name?
Once you’ve found a business name that you like, it’s a good idea to check if your domain name is available before forming your LLC.
You can search for available domain names with GoDaddy:
Find a domain name
What does “distinguishability” mean?
Each business entity name must be “distinguishable upon the records” of the Secretary of State.
This means that no two businesses can operate with the same exact name. Said another way, if a business already exists with your desired LLC name, you can’t register your LLC with that name.
For example, let’s say you want to form an LLC called Cypress Landscapers LLC. But there is already a business in another town called Cypress Landscapers, Inc. Because your desired LLC name is the same as that existing Louisiana Corporation, it is not distinguishable. You can’t use it and must choose another name.
How do I come up with a business name?
Business names are important for branding and recognition. The name of your Louisiana LLC can be your company’s brand name, but it doesn’t have to be (please see the FAQ about DBAs above). Either way, picking a good LLC name is an important decision.
Here are some quick tips for coming up with business names:
- First, write down the features of your company and things that you want to be associated with.
- Then list out as many business names as you can think of. Don’t edit or analyze them. Just get as many names on the page as you can.
- Now go back and read through them. Write down any variations that come to mind.
- Next, set the list aside. Do something else, like go for a walk or get groceries, or sleep on it for the night. Then come back and review the list of names. As you go through it, write down additional ideas and variations.
- Read the whole list out loud. If you want, get input from friends, business partners, and family.
- Repeat the process: sleep on the ideas, write down new variations, read them out loud again.
- The best business name will often “rise off the page” and present itself. If it doesn’t, you can try this trick: Close your eyes and count to 10. When you get to 10, you must choose a name. When you open your eyes, force yourself to make a decision. Sometimes we know the best name deep in our subconscious, and this trick can help it come out. Trust yourself and go with what feels best.
For more tips, please see How to Choose an LLC Name.
Can I use the name of another Louisiana entity?
No. You can’t use the same name as another Louisiana business.
And it doesn’t matter what entity type it is – your LLC can’t have the same entity name as another corporation, LLC, or any other entity type.
You can’t use another business’s name even if the entity is in “delinquent” status on the Louisiana Secretary of State website.
But if a business is dissolved or revoked for at least 3 years, they no longer have rights to that name. This means you can form an LLC with the same name.
How do I change my LLC name?
You can change your LLC’s name later by filing an Amendment form with the Secretary of State.
We have step-by-step instructions on how to change an LLC name in Louisiana.
How to start an LLC in Louisiana?
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Louisiana:
- Choose an LLC name and make sure it’s available
- Choose who will be your Louisiana Registered Agent
- File the Louisiana LLC Articles of Organization
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Open an LLC bank account
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Louisiana
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
How does one make a change to the name of the LLC? Instead of “Construction” in my LLC name, I want to put a certain trade in the LLC name.
Hi Misti, it depends on whether you want to change the full legal name of your LLC or you want your LLC to do business under an additional name (called a Trade Name). If you want to change the LLC’s name, you can file a Name Change Amendment to your Articles of Organization inside your geauxBIZ account. Meaning, you would file a Name Change Amendment if your LLC is called “ABC Construction LLC”, but you want to change it to “ABC Building Company LLC”. However, you can also keep the LLC name “ABC Construction LLC” in place and file a Trade Name. This allows the LLC to operate under its legal name of “ABC Construction LLC” in addition to a Trade Name, such as “ABC Building Company” (notice there is no corporate ending). Filing a Trade Name wouldn’t require you to file a Name Change Amendment. Hope that helps.