Most founders confuse business names and trading names. One mistake costs you £1,200 in rebranding. Here's the difference that actually matters.
Business Name = Legal Name
Registered at Companies House. Appears on legal documents, bank accounts, contracts.
Trading Name = Brand Name
What customers see. Can be different from legal name. Not protected unless trademarked.
Example
Legal: "Smith Consulting Ltd." Trading: "Accelerate Partners." Both valid.
Do You Need Both?
No. Most businesses use one name for both. Separate names add complexity.
Trademark Applies to Trading Name
Protect what customers see, not your legal entity name.
Check Both Names
Use Trademark Lens to verify both are available.