Before you form an LLC, register a fictitious firm name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Nevada Business Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Nevada Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Nevada.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).
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Nevada LLC Name Search
The Nevada Secretary of State 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 Nevada Business 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 Complete a Domain Name Search
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.
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 Nevada LLC guide to get started.
Registering a DBA in Nevada (also known as a fictitious firm name) is a separate process that requires filing with the county or counties where your LLC does business.
Reserve Your Name
You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Nevada for up to 90 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 Nevada Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
Nevada Naming Requirements
Some key guidelines for Nevada LLC names include:
- Your name must include the words “Limited-Liability Company,” “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” or “Limited” or the abbreviations “Ltd.,” “L.L.C.,” “L.C.,” “LLC” or “LC.” The word “Company” may be abbreviated as “Co.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Nevada 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.
Nevada also requires LLCs to get approval to use certain words:
- You need approval from the Nevada State Board of Accounting to use the following words: accountant, accountancy, accounting, auditor, auditing, certified public accountant, and CPA.
- You need approval from the Nevada Commissioner of Financial Institutions to use the following words: bank, banc, banque, savings & loan, banker, bancard, banq, thrift, banking, banco, bancor, trustee, interbanking, bancorp, credit union, debt collection, collection agency, or trust.
- You need approval from the state Commissioner of Insurance to use the following words: adjuster, indemnity, reinsurance, underwriter, annuity, insurance, risk retention group, underwriting, casualty, life & accident, surety, bail, bail bonds, fugitive recovery, bail bondsman/men, bounty hunter, and bale. You need approval from the Commissioner of Mortgage lending to use the following words: financial, mortgage, mortgage banking.
- You need approval from the State Board of Professional Engineers to use the following words: engineer, engineered, engineering, professional engineer, registered engineer, and licensed engineer.
- You need approval from the State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design to use the following words: architect, architecture, registered architect, licensed architect, registered interior designer, registered interior design, residential designer, registered residential designer, licensed residential designer, and residential design.
- You need approval from the Administrator of the Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry to use the words: common-interest community, community association, master association, unit-owners’ association, and homeowners’ association.
- You need approval from the Ombudsman to include the following words: common-interest community, community association, hoa, home owners association, master association, unit-owners association, and property owners.
- You also need approval to use the following words: college, university, higher education.
For more information, check out Nevada’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Nevada, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state. Distinctive lettering or a distinctive mark do not make a name distinguishable.
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.
Nevada LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Nevada?
You can use the Nevada Business 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 Nevada 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.
Nevada has a long list of restricted words that you can read above. Among these are words related to banking and other licensed professions.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Nevada 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. Nevada 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 Nevada Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Nevada?
Nevada doesn't require LLCs to renew their legal name, but some counties may require you to renew your fictitious firm name. For example, Clark County requires fictitious firm names to be renewed every five years.
The renewal process varies by county. Check with your county clerk’s office for forms and fees.
Learn more about fictitious firm names with our Nevada DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Nevada?
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 fictitious firm name in Nevada.
In Nevada, LLC fictitious firm names are filed with the county or counties where your LLC does business.
Learn more about fictitious firm names with our Nevada 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 Nevada DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Nevada from the dropdown menu.
