Hawaii Business Name Search


Before you form an LLC, register a trade name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Hawaii Business Name Search tool to see if your name is unique.

In our Hawaii Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Hawaii.

Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).

SKIP AHEAD:

Complete a Hawaii Business Name Search

Complete a Domain Name Search

Register Your Business Name

A laptop with a search engine open that says "LLC Name Search"

Hawaii LLC Name Search

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state.

It's also important to search for a matching domain name (URL).

How to Search Available LLC Names

You can check your business name availability by searching the Hawaii Business Name Search online database.

Recommended: If you don’t have a business name yet or find that yours is taken, use our LLC Name Generator.

How to Check Available Domain Names

When choosing a business name you'll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.

The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.

Find a Domain Now

How to Register Your Business Name

Register Your Name

An LLC name is officially registered when you file your LLC application documents and form an LLC.

Ready to register your LLC name? Use our Hawaii LLC guide to get started.

Registering a DBA in Hawaii (also known as a trade name) is a separate process that requires filing with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Reserve Your Name

You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Hawaii for up to 120 days before you officially register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself. 

Name reservations can be filed online or via hard copy with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The filing fee is $10.

Hawaii Naming Requirements

Some key guidelines for Hawaii LLC names include:

  • Your name must include the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.” “Limited” can be abbreviated to “Ltd.,” and “Company” can be abbreviated to “Co.”
  • If you are a domestic insurance LLC, your name must include the word "insurance" in their name; and in the case of a reciprocal insurer, the name must include one of the following words: “reciprocal,” “interinsurer, “interinsurance,” “exchange,” “underwriters,” or “underwriting.”
  • Your name must be permitted by law and not attempt to mislead or confuse the general public.
  • Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Hawaii reserved names.

Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.

Hawaii also has the following restrictions for LLC names:

  • The following terms cannot be used without approval from the State Commissioner of Financial Institutions: “financial institution,” “bank,” “banker,” “banking,” “banc,” “savings bank,” “savings and loan,” “savings association,” “financial services loan company,” “credit union,” “trust company,” “intrapacific bank,” “international banking corporation,” and “trust.”
  • Use of the following terms requires state approval or certification: “certified public accountant,” “public accountant,” “CPA,” “PA,” “cooperative,” “escrow,” and “escrow depository.”

For more information, check out Hawaii’s official state statutes.

Distinguishability

It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Hawaii, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.

The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Hawaii:

  • Spelling a number instead of using the numerical symbol for the number
  • The names are pronounced the same but spelled differently.
  • Including a suffix, affix, or prefix
  • Using "n", "-n-", or the use of the letter "n" between two or more words to connote "and", or the use of the letter "a" or the words "an", "and", "the", "of", "in", "at", "on", "to" or "for" or the Hawaiian language equivalent words of "da", "ka", "ke", "na", or "la".
  • Punctuation, spaces, or symbols.
  • Plural or possessive forms of words
  • Abbreviations
  • Using the phrase "of Hawaii", or the word "Hawaii", or its recognized abbreviation "HI" at the end of the name,
  • Using the word "Hawaii" or "Hawaiian" at the beginning of the name

Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in your formation filing being rejected.

Is your name already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will generate thousands of new ideas.

Hawaii LLC Name Search FAQ

How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Hawaii?

You can use the Hawaii Business Name Search tool to see if your business name is available.

Learn more about business entity name availability in the How to Search Available LLC Names section.

Should I name my LLC after myself?

While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this. 

One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.

To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.

What words can’t be used in a Hawaii LLC name?

Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.

In Hawaii, the following terms cannot be used without approval from the state commissioner of financial institutions: financial institution, bank, banker, banking, banc, savings bank, savings and loan, savings association, financial services loan company, credit union, trust company, intrapacific bank, international banking corporation, and trust.

Additionally, the use of the following terms also requires state approval or certification: certified public accountant, public accountant, CPA, PA, cooperative, escrow, and escrow depository.

Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Hawaii Naming Requirements section.

Should I use an LLC name generator?

If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.

What is a brand name?

A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.

Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name an LLC guide.

Do I have to include LLC in my name?

Yes. Hawaii requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., LLC or L.L.C.) in their legal name.

Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Hawaii Naming Requirements section.

Do I need to renew my business name in Hawaii?

Hawaii doesn't require LLCs to renew their legal name, but trade names must be renewed every five years.

You can renew online, and the filing fee is $50.

Learn more about trade names with our Hawaii DBA guide.

Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Hawaii?

Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or a trade name in Hawaii. 

In Hawaii, LLC trade names are filed with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Learn more about trade names with our Hawaii DBA guide.

Does my LLC need a DBA name?

Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Hawaii DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Hawaii from the dropdown menu.