- Hong Kong company naming rules can affect both approval and post-registration compliance.
Some names are rejected upfront (e.g., identical names or prohibited formats), while others can trigger objections or a direction to change later if they’re considered “too like,” misleading, or against the public interest. - Prior approval is required for names that imply authority or use controlled terms.
If your proposed name suggests a government connection or includes restricted words under Cap. 622A (or overlaps with a name previously directed to be changed), you may need approval from the Registrar of Companies before it can be registered. - Registering a company name doesn’t protect your brand.
Companies Registry name acceptance is not a trademark check, so a registered company name can still expose you to trademark disputes or rebranding risk later if it conflicts with protected marks.
Choosing a name sounds simple, until your incorporation gets delayed because it doesn’t meet the Hong Kong company naming rules. From names that are too similar to existing companies, to restricted words that need approval, small details can cause your application to be rejected.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact naming rules that apply when you register a company name in Hong Kong, including what’s allowed, what won’t be registered, and when you need prior approval before you can use certain words.
By the end, you’ll know how to shortlist a compliant company name with confidence, reduce the risk of rejection, and move forward with your Hong Kong incorporation process smoothly.
Shortlist 2–3 compliant backup names and run both name and trademark checks early.
One of the fastest ways to avoid incorporation delays is to prepare alternative names that already follow Hong Kong company naming rules and clear the Companies Registry search.
Separately, do a trademark search if you’ll use the name publicly because the Registry won’t screen trademark conflicts, and fixing a naming issue after bank accounts, contracts, and invoices are set up is far more painful than catching it upfront.
What are the general requirements to register a company name in Hong Kong?
To register a company name in Hong Kong, you’ll need to follow the Companies Registry’s baseline rules under the Companies Ordinance.
- You may register a name in English, in Traditional Chinese, or both (English and Chinese are registered as separate names, and you can’t combine English and Chinese characters in one name).
- A limited company name must end with the correct legal suffix:
- English: “Limited”
- Chinese: 「有限公司」
Read more: Registering a Company in China from Hong Kong
When will the Companies Registry reject a company name in Hong Kong?
Your proposed company name can run into problems in two ways: it may be rejected at the point of registration, or it may be challenged after registration (leading to a direction to change the name).
A company name may be rejected at registration if it:
- is the same as a name already on the Companies Registry’s Index of Company Names
- is identical to the name of a body incorporated by an ordinance in Hong Kong
- gives the impression of a government connection (HKSAR Government / Central People’s Government / departments or agencies) where no genuine link exists
- is offensive or contrary to the public interest
- would constitute a criminal offence or breaches other Hong Kong laws (for example, implying regulated status or activities without authorisation)
- mixes Chinese characters and English letters in a single name (English and Chinese names must be registered separately)
Even after registration, you may be required to change your company name if it:
- is considered “too like” another company name (for example, where an objection is raised and upheld), or
- is later found to be misleading, contrary to the public interest, or otherwise non-compliant under the Companies Ordinance.
How do I change my company name in Hong Kong?
If you’ve already incorporated and later decide to rename the business, you can change your registered company name but the new name must still follow the same Hong Kong company naming rules.
- Step 1: Pass a special resolution approving the new company name (this is a shareholder resolution).
- Step 2: File the name change with the Companies Registry using the prescribed form and within the required timeframe.
- Step 3: Receive confirmation once the Companies Registry registers the new name.
After the name is changed, you’ll typically need to update the new name across your key business touchpoints (for example, contracts, bank records, and any business registrations where your company name appears).
How do I check if my company name is available in Hong Kong?
- Start with a Hong Kong company name search. Your proposed name should be distinctive and not confusingly similar to a name already on the Companies Registry’s Index of Company Names. Two companies can’t be incorporated with the same name under the Companies Ordinance, and names that are “too close” can still be challenged.
- Use the Companies Registry’s official search tools to check availability before you submit your incorporation application.
- If you want extra certainty, involve your company secretary. They can help screen your shortlisted options and flag potential naming issues (like similarity risks or restricted words) before you file.
Read more: Company Search in Hong Kong Made Simple
What are the best tips for choosing a Hong Kong company name?
Factor | Description | Consideration |
Uniqueness | Your name must be distinct and not confusingly similar to names already on the Companies Registry index. | Run a Companies Registry name search for exact matches and close variations (spacing, punctuation, “HK/Hong Kong” style variants). |
Language | You can register a name in English, Traditional Chinese, or both (as separate names). | If you want a Chinese name, use Traditional Chinese (Simplified Chinese isn’t accepted for registered names). |
Restricted / approval-only words | Certain words or expressions require approval before registration (including government-linked terms and terms controlled under naming orders). | Avoid using restricted words unless you’re confident you can obtain the required approval. |
Regulated industry terms | Some terms may be restricted under other Hong Kong laws (e.g., financial services-related wording). | If your business isn’t licensed/authorised for that activity, using the term can trigger rejection or legal risk. |
Trademark compliance | Registering a company name does not automatically give trademark or IP rights. | Consider a trademark search separately to reduce the risk of infringing existing brands. |
Legal structure indicator | Limited companies must use the correct legal ending to show limited liability. | English names must end with “Limited”; Chinese names must end with 「有限公司」. |
Domain availability | Your company name may also be used as your website identity. | Check domain availability early and secure a matching domain for brand consistency. |
Descriptiveness | Names can be descriptive (industry), geographic, coined, or abstract. | Keep it clear enough to be credible, but distinct enough to avoid conflicts and branding issues. |
How are foreign (non-Hong Kong) company names registered in Hong Kong?
Here’s how company naming works for a foreign (non-Hong Kong) company registering in Hong Kong under the 2026 rules:
- A non-Hong Kong incorporated company that establishes a place of business in Hong Kong must apply for registration with the Companies Registry within 1 month of establishing that place of business.
- Once registered, it is recorded as a non-Hong Kong company under the Companies Ordinance.
- Domestic name: the company’s name as registered in its place of incorporation.
- Corporate name (in Hong Kong records): The name entered in the Companies Registry for the company in Hong Kong:
- If the domestic name is in the Latin alphabet (English/Roman script) or in Chinese, the domestic name is entered as the corporate name.
- If the domestic name is not in the Latin alphabet or Chinese:
- The company may register an English name and/or a Chinese name for use in Hong Kong, and
- A certified translation into English and/or Chinese is generally required for registration.
When do you need prior approval from the Registrar of Companies for a company name?
In Hong Kong, prior approval is required from the Companies Registry (specifically, the Registrar of Companies) before certain company names can be registered, because some names can mislead the public, imply official authority, or fall under legally controlled wording.
Prior approval from the Registrar of Companies is typically required if:
- The name implies a government connection
- It suggests (directly or indirectly) a connection with:
- the HKSAR Government, or
- the Central People’s Government, or
- any government department or agency.
- Approval is generally only granted where there is a genuine connection; otherwise the name won’t be accepted.
- It suggests (directly or indirectly) a connection with:
- The name includes restricted words or expressions under Cap. 622A
- It contains words or expressions controlled under the Companies (Words and Expressions in Company Names) Order (Cap. 622A) (e.g., “chamber of commerce”, “kaifong”, “levy”, “trust”, “trustee”, and similar expressions).
- The name is linked to a previous Registrar direction to change name
- It is the same as (or closely tracks) a name that the Registrar has already required a company to change under the Companies Ordinance (including sections 108, 109, or 771) or under the predecessor Ordinance (sections 22 or 22A).
- The name is misleading or raises public interest concerns
- If the Registrar considers the name misleads people about the company’s nature or activities, or is otherwise contrary to the public interest, the Registrar may require a change of name within a specified period under the relevant provisions.
What happens if my company name is rejected at registration in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, there’s no separate name reservation or provisional name approval before you file your incorporation application. Your proposed name is assessed as part of the incorporation submission.
If the Companies Registry rejects the name, your incorporation application won’t go through as filed. In practical terms, you’ll need to submit again with a compliant alternative name, which can delay your incorporation timeline, especially if you don’t have backup options ready.
What are the most common reasons Hong Kong company names get rejected?
Most company name problems in Hong Kong aren’t “big” issues, they’re small details that trigger the Companies Registry’s naming rules and slow down your incorporation. Here are the most common ones to watch for:
- Assuming “close enough” is unique, small tweaks (spacing, punctuation, or “HK/Hong Kong” style variations) may still be treated as too similar.
- Mixing English letters and Chinese characters in a single name (not allowed).
- Using Simplified Chinese characters instead of Traditional Chinese for the registered name.
- Using “Ltd” instead of “Limited” for an English company name (the registered name must end with “Limited”).
- Including restricted words without prior approval (including words controlled under Cap. 622A).
- Using terms that imply government connection or official status without a genuine basis.
- Using regulated industry terms casually (e.g., finance-related wording) when you don’t have the required authorisation.
- Skipping trademark checks and discovering later that the name clashes with an existing brand
A quick name search and a couple of compliant backup options usually saves a lot of back-and-forth later.
Can my Hong Kong company name be in Chinese?
If you register a Chinese name, it must be in Traditional Chinese characters (Simplified Chinese isn’t accepted for company name registration).
If you want both English and Chinese names, you can register both but they must be separate names. You cannot mix English letters and Chinese characters in a single company name.
How “different” does a Hong Kong company name need to be?
Your registered company name needs to be sufficiently distinctive and Hong Kong rules treat some “differences” as irrelevant when checking whether two names are considered the same.
When deciding whether names are “the same as” each other, the Registrar disregards things like:
- “The” if it’s the first word (e.g., The ABC Limited = ABC Limited)
- Certain ending words/expressions (like “company”, “limited” and their abbreviations)
- Case, spacing, punctuation (e.g., A-B-C Limited = a b c Limited)
And these are explicitly treated as the same:
- “and” = “&”
- “Hong Kong” = “Hongkong” = “HK”
- “Far East” = “FE”
- Example: ABC Hong Kong Limited = ABC Hongkong Limited = ABC HK Limited
Can I use government-related words in a Hong Kong company name?
Be very careful with names that could look like you’re connected to the government. Names that imply a link to the HKSAR Government, the Central People’s Government, or any department/agency typically won’t be accepted unless there’s a genuine connection.
Common examples that can trigger issues include words like:
- “Government” (政府), “Department” (部門), “Bureau” (局), “Authority” (委員會), “Council” (議會), “Commission” (公署)
Can a Hong Kong company name be rejected for public interest reasons?
Your proposed name must not be offensive or contrary to the public interest, and it also must not be a name whose use would constitute a criminal offence (for example, using regulated terms without the right consent under other laws).
Do I need to register my company name as a trademark in Hong Kong?
Short answer: not mandatory for incorporation, but it’s smart risk management.
What many founders miss:
- The Companies Registry process is about company name registration, not trademark clearance. A company name can be registered even if it’s similar to an existing trademark and that’s where problems can start later.
- The Companies Registry company name search tools also don’t check trademarks.
- If you want to verify trademark conflicts, you can search the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) Online Search System.
How Sleek helps you register a company name in Hong Kong
Sleek helps you register a compliant Hong Kong company name by handling the key checks and filings end-to-end, so you don’t lose time to avoidable name issues.
- End-to-end company registration: From helping you choose a compliant company name that follows Hong Kong company naming rules to submitting the incorporation application and handling the full business registration process.
- All-inclusive pricing: Clear, bundled pricing so you know what you’re paying upfront, without having to stitch together multiple service providers.
- Ongoing compliance support: Support beyond incorporation, including help with company changes and ongoing corporate filings as your business grows.
- Online record-keeping: All your company documents stored digitally, for simplified record keeping and easy access at all times.
Ready to get started? Schedule a consultation call with Sleek experts today and get your dream company name registered in Hong Kong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose any name for my company in Hong Kong?
No, there are certain restrictions on company names in Hong Kong. The name should not be identical to existing company names, offensive, contrary to public interest, or suggest any connection to governmental bodies.
How can I check if my desired company name is available?
You can check the availability of your desired company name through the Companies Registry’s Cyber Search Centre. It’s advisable to choose a few alternative names in case your first choice is unavailable.
If I register an English and Chinese name, are they assessed together or separately?
Separately. The English and Traditional Chinese names are treated as two distinct registered names, and each must independently comply with naming rules and availability checks.
If my company name is registered, can the Registrar still force a name change later?
Yes. Even after incorporation, the Registrar can direct a change of name if it’s found to be “too like” another name, misleading, or contrary to the public interest under the Companies Ordinance.
Does the Companies Registry check trademarks when I register a company name and what’s the real risk if I skip a trademark search?
No. Company name approval doesn’t confirm trademark clearance, so you can still face a trademark objection later (e.g., cease-and-desist demands or pressure to rebrand) even if your company name is already registered.
Is an SPV considered a subsidiary?
It depends on ownership. If a parent company owns more than 50% of the SPV’s voting rights, it is legally a subsidiary. However, many SPVs are structured as “orphan” entities (held by a trust) or have split ownership so that no single entity consolidates them on its balance sheet.
