Tennessee Business Name Search


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

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

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

SKIP AHEAD:

Complete a Tennessee Business Name Availability Search

Complete a Domain Name Search

Register Your Business Name

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

Tennessee LLC Name Search

The Tennessee 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 Tennessee Business Name Availability 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 Tennessee LLC guide to get started.

Registering a DBA in Tennessee (also known as an assumed name) is a separate process that requires filing with the Secretary of State

Reserve Your Name

You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Tennessee for up to four months 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 by submitting Form SS-9425 - Application for Name Reservation to the Tennessee Secretary of State. The filing fee is $20.

Tennessee Naming Requirements

Some key guidelines for Tennessee LLC names include:

  • Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.), or words or abbreviations of the same meaning in a different language.
  • Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Tennessee 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.

Tennessee also has the following restrictions for LLC names:

  • Your name cannot contain the word "corporation" or "incorporated" or an abbreviation of either.
  • Your name cannot falsely imply that your LLC is organized as, affiliated with, or sponsored by any fraternal, veterans', service, religious, charitable, or professional organization.
  • Your name cannot imply that the LLC is organized for any unlawful purpose or one not outlined in its Articles of Organization.

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

Distinguishability

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

The following differences generally make a name distinguishable in Tennessee:

  • Different letters or words
  • Different order of letters or words
  • Singular versus plural forms of words

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

  • Business entity type identifiers
  • Punctuation
  • Capitalization
  • Use of articles, conjunctions, and prepositions

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.

Tennessee LLC Name Search FAQ

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

You can use the Tennessee Business Name Availability 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 Tennessee 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.

Additionally, Tennessee LLC names cannot contain the word "corporation" or "incorporated" or an abbreviation of either.

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

Do I need to renew my business name in Tennessee?

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

You can renew online or by submitting Form SS-4239 - Renewal of Registration of Assumed Name. The filing fee is $20.

Learn more about assumed names with our Tennessee DBA guide.

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

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 an assumed name in Tennessee. 

In Tennessee, LLC assumed names are filed with the Secretary of State.

Learn more about assumed names with our Tennessee 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 Tennessee DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Tennessee from the dropdown menu.