Company Name Selection Guide in Dubai (2025)

Dos and Don'ts of Choosing a Company Name in Dubai

The UAE government, like any other country, has specific laws and regulations regarding company names during registration. Naturally, if you intend to register a company in the UAE, you must be aware of these rules. Below, we will explore some of the most important dos and don'ts and Business Name Regulations in the UAE become familiar with:

I suggest the article Steps to Register a Company in Dubai as well.

Familiarity with Prohibited Names for Company Registration in Dubai

Now that we are aware of the dos and don'ts of choosing a company name in Dubai, we must also be informed about the prohibited names in this process. Prohibited names are a set of names that under no circumstances can you use in naming your company. Knowing these specific names can simplify the process of selecting and registering your company name.

Among the prohibited names for choosing a company name in Dubai the following can be mentioned:

• Words such as Emirates, UAE, city names, region names, airport codes;
• Other words such as continent names, countries, and foreign cities (using nationality names – like European, American, Iranian – is an exception and allowed);
• International words, International, Middle East, Global, Worldwide, and similar terms (are prohibited for starting a company name);
• Words that resemble the names or abbreviations of organizations, offices, and government agencies (such as Assurance meaning insurance, Bank, Government, and Royal);
• Words that directly or indirectly refer to global, political, religious, or sectarian organizations (such as Vatican, FBI, or similar);
• Words that are similar to, abbreviations of, or part of the names of major local or foreign brands and companies (such as LG, Samsung, Ford, and similar).

Regulations Regarding Choosing Names for Industrial Companies

In addition to commercial companies, industrial companies also have their own specific rules for choosing names. If you intend to register an industrial licensed company in Dubai, you need to be aware of the regulations related to naming industrial companies. Generally, the following points apply to industrial company names:

• Using the word Commodities (in Arabic or English) is only allowed if your company trades more than one type of product or is registered as a general trading company.
• Name reservation is only possible if your proposed name clearly specifies your company’s activity; for example, Agro Commodities or ABCD Agri.
• For personal company names, terms like ME or CO cannot be used unless these terms are part of other words; for example, ATCO Services or LCME Trading.
• Also, be aware that using certain other terms such as FX, Investment, or Capital (in Arabic or English) requires approval from specific organizations and authorities, such as the Central Bank of the UAE.

Rules Regarding Choosing a Trade Name for the Company

First, we need to understand what a trade name is and how it differs from the company’s official name. A trade name is essentially the title a company uses for its commercial or legal activities. The trade name can also be considered the company’s brand or commercial name. It is important to know that the official company name and the trade name can be different.

Regarding the trade name for company registration in Dubai, it is useful to be aware of the following points:

• Using a trade name helps companies to legally operate under a shorter brand name.
• The chosen trade name for companies must not contain any illegal terms.
• If the trade name is similar to the names of local companies, it will not be approved.
• The trade name cannot conflict with the company's official name; therefore, there must be consistency between them.

Notes on choosing names for other types of companies

Some other types of legal company structures in the UAE, such as subsidiaries, joint ventures, or branch offices, have specific naming regulations. If you intend to register one of these types of companies in Dubai, you need to be aware of the related rules:

• A subsidiary's name cannot be similar to the parent company's name. The legal structure type cannot be included in the subsidiary's name; also, the parent company's name cannot be used as a suffix in the subsidiary's name (for example, LLC cannot be included in the company name).
• For joint ventures, you must first submit documents such as a NOC or justification letter; then, if approved and necessary, you may use the parent company's name for the joint venture.
• To register a branch office, its name must be exactly the same as the parent branch's name. These names can only differ if the naming rules and restrictions in the UAE are not followed.

Guide to Using First and Last Names in Company Registration

Some applicants for company registration in Dubai prefer to use their first or last name as the company name. It should be noted that this is allowed, provided that the rules mentioned in the previous sections are followed. There are also some other points that must be considered and adhered to:

• The first or last name used must necessarily be the name of one of your proposed company shareholders.
• Using the last name in the company name is only permitted if the individual's first name is also mentioned alongside it.
• If the individual's name is to be used, that name must have Arabic roots; in other words, An Arabic name for a company in Dubai is permissible. We Iranians will not find this difficult.
• If the chosen name is to be translated, the translation must be phonetic rather than a direct translation. (For example, for the word 'ساحل' you should use the same word and not translate it as 'Beach.')

Checking for Similar Names for Company Registration in Dubai

If you want to know whether your chosen company name has already been used by another company in Dubai, you can use the solution we will mention next. The website of the UAE Ministry of Economy (DED) has made this possible for you, and using it can greatly simplify the company registration process in Dubai.

It is also worth knowing that this authority is responsible for approving your company name. To get your company name approved, in addition to following the relevant rules, you must also submit documents such as the company name application form, identity documents, and a draft of the company’s articles of association.

To check for the existence or non-existence of a similar name on the DED website you can use one or more of the following methods:

• Visit the DED website, search for 'License Information Search,' and then enter the relevant portal. (This is also useful for obtaining complete information about existing businesses and companies in the UAE.)
• To search using only the company name, you can visit the website ECONOMY.GOV.AE and check whether a similar name to your company exists or not.
• For registering companies in free zones and searching for similar names in UAE free zones, you can visit the specific website of that free zone and search your company name in their directories.
• If you have a barcode for your company, you can visit your trade council and request verification of authenticity using the barcode.
• Some third-party companies as well as our own team can help you indirectly find out whether a similar name to your chosen company name exists or not.
• Ultimately, searching online platforms, such as social networks or LinkedIn, can help you find companies with similar names and avoid choosing identical names.

Recommended Reading: Dubai Residency Through Company Registration

Suffixes that should be used in the company name

Finally, it’s good to know that certain suffixes must be included in the company name. These suffixes indicate the nature and legal structure of your company and their use is mandatory. Generally, the following can be mentioned in this regard:

• Suffix FZE: For companies with only one shareholder.
• Suffix FZC FZCO or FZ-LLC: For companies with more than one shareholder (between 2 to 5 people).
• Branch Suffix: Used for branches registered in the UAE.
• Suffix LLC: Used for limited liability companies.
• Suffix PJSC: Used for joint stock companies.
• Suffix Ltd or Limited: Used for offshore or foreign companies.
• Suffix Inc or Incorporated: This suffix is also used for offshore companies.

Final words

One of the most important steps in registering a company in Dubai is choosing an appropriate company name. If your chosen name complies with the UAE government regulations, your company registration process will undoubtedly be completed as quickly as possible; otherwise, it can be a major obstacle to obtaining residency through company registration in Dubai. In this article, we discuss all the relevant laws and regulations for company name registration in Dubai. For more information and consultation, you can contact our experts.