How to Name Your Florida LLC
Learn how to choose Florida LLC Name
and conduct a business entity search with the
Florida Division of Corporations.
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How to Name Your Florida LLC
Learn how to choose Florida LLC Name and conduct a business entity search with the Florida Division of Corporations.
Buykii does the work — $0 + state fee
Starting your LLC is easy with Buykii. We handle all the required paperwork so you can focus on your business. Just pay the official Florida state fee.
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Some General Rules for a Florida LLC Name
Your Florida LLC Name Must Be Unique
Your LLC name must be unique, meaning the business name you choose cannot already be in use by another LLC or corporation within the state of Florida. Before filing your LLC, it’s essential to perform a Florida LLC name search or check LLC name availability in Florida through the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) to confirm that your name is available.
Don’t Choose a Confusable LLC Name
Choosing a unique name is not enough — your Florida LLC name must also be clearly distinguishable from other businesses registered in the state. When you conduct your LLC name search Florida, make sure your proposed name is not confusingly similar to another registered LLC or corporation name. A name that’s too similar could result in rejection during the Florida state LLC name search process.
Choose the Correct Designator for Your LLC Name
When it comes to naming your business, you must include a legal designator to comply with Florida LLC name requirements. Your Florida business name must end with one of the following designators:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Limited Liability Company
This designator identifies your business as an LLC and helps you meet the state of Florida LLC name search criteria under Florida law.
Florida LLC Name Search
Once you’ve decided on the name you’d like to use for your LLC registration, the next step is to perform a Florida LLC name search to confirm name availability with the Florida Division of Corporations.
You need to do this because LLC names within the same state cannot be identical or too similar. Performing a state of Florida LLC name search ensures that your chosen name is unique and not already in use by another Florida business.
You can easily check LLC name availability in Florida by visiting the official Sunbiz Florida LLC search page on the Florida Division of Corporations website.
Alternatively, you can use the Buykii Florida business name search tool to check whether your LLC or corporation name is already listed in the state registry and confirm that it’s available for registration
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Why Choosing the Right Florida LLC Name Matters
Your Florida LLC name is not just a name — it’s the foundation of your business identity. A strong, memorable, and compliant LLC name can set your company apart and help you stand out from competitors.
Your LLC name is the first impression you make on potential customers, partners, and investors. A unique and professional Florida business name builds trust and credibility, showing that your company is legitimate and serious about its brand.
On the other hand, if you choose a random name without considering Florida LLC name requirements or the state of Florida LLC name search rules, it can lead to name rejection, unnecessary paperwork, rebranding costs, or even delays in registration.
Florida Limited Liability Company Name Rules
There are a few important Florida LLC name rules and requirements to follow under the Florida LLC Act Section 605.0112. You must comply with these guidelines to properly choose your Florida business name and avoid registration delays or rejections.
Restricted and Prohibited Words for Florida LLC Names
According to Florida State Law, certain words are restricted or require special approval before being used in your LLC name. Below are examples and their approval requirements:
- Bank, Banking, Banker, Trust, Trustee, Credit Union. These word are restricted word and required approval from Florida Office of Financial Regulation
- Insurance, Insurer, Underwriter, Surety. these are the restricted keywords required approval from Florida Division of Financial Services
- University, College, School. these are the restricted words required approval from Florida Department of Education.
- Agency, Commission, Bureau, Department, Treasury, Municipal, County, City, State, Federal. these are the restricted words required approval from Not permitted unless authorized by a government agency
What Happens If You Use Restricted Words in Your LLC Name?
If you include any restricted words in your Florida LLC name without having the proper license or approval, your formation documents will be rejected by the Florida Division of Corporations
You will need to obtain a special license or written permission from the relevant state regulatory authority before your LLC registration can be processed.
What Are the Designators I Can Use with an LLC Name?
To register your business in Florida, you must choose and include a designator with your LLC name. The designator identifies your business structure as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and helps the public distinguish it from other business types.
According to the Florida Statutes § 605.0112, the following Florida LLC designators are permitted:
- Limited Liability Company
- L.L.C.
- LLC
Note: Most business owners prefer the “LLC” designator, as it’s short, clear, and professional.
What Designators You Can’t Use with an LLC Name
A business cannot use another entity type designator when registering as an LLC in Florida.
Using incorrect designators can cause your LLC filing to be rejected by the Florida Division of Corporations.
You Cannot Use:
- Corp / Corporation
- Inc / Incorporated
- Limited Partnership (LP)
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
What Happens If You Use a Restricted Designator?
If you attempt to use a designator not allowed for Florida LLCs, such as “Inc.” or “Corp,” the Florida Department of State will reject your LLC registration.
You’ll be required to correct your LLC name and resubmit the filing with an appropriate Florida LLC designator before your business can be approved.
Your Florida Business Name Must Be Distinguishable and Unique
When forming your Florida LLC, your business name must be unique and distinguishable from all other entities registered with the Florida Division of Corporations. Using a similar LLC name to another business can create confusion for your customers, clients, and partners — and may lead to your LLC registration being rejected.
When you perform a Florida LLC name search with the state department, compare your chosen name against other registered names. If the name is not distinguishable, the state may reject your filing with the notice:
1. Designator Does Not Make a Name Unique
Adding or changing a designator like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” does not make your name distinguishable from another.
Example:
If your desired name is Beki Service LLC, but the records show:
- Beki Service Inc.
- Beki Service Limited Liability Company
Then your Florida LLC name is considered too similar, and simply changing the designator won’t make it unique.
2. Adding Filler Words Does Not Help
Adding small or filler words such as “the,” “an,” or “a” will not make your LLC name distinguishable from another existing business name in Florida.
Example:
If your LLC name is Cap Solution LLC, but the registry already includes:
- The Cap Solution LLC
- Cap and Kame Solution LLC
- A Cape Limited Liability Company
Then your desired name is not available for registration.
3. Using Special Characters or Punctuation
Including special characters or punctuation — such as “!”, “$”, commas, or hyphens — does not make your LLC name unique in the Florida business name database.
Example:
If your desired LLC name is Fridman Cleaning LLC, the following names would still make it unavailable:
- Fridman-Cleaning L.L.C.
- Fridman Cleaning! LLC
- Fridman Cleaning, Corporation
4. Adding Plural or Singular Forms
Changing your Florida LLC name from singular to plural (or vice versa) also does not make it distinguishable.
Example:
If you wish to register Profitiria LLC, but the database includes:
- Profitiria’s LLC
- Profitiria’s Corporation
- The Profitiria L.L.C.
Then your name is not distinguishable and cannot be approved by the Florida Department of State.
Can I Choose an LLC Name That’s Already Registered but Dissolved in Florida?
According to the Florida Division of Corporations, if an LLC or corporation has an inactive or dissolved status, its business name is not immediately available for new registration. The state holds the name for a specific period before releasing it for public use.
For an entity that has been administratively dissolved or revoked, the Florida Department of State reserves the name for one year from the date of dissolution or revocation. Only after one year can another business register that Florida LLC name.
If the entity was voluntarily dissolved, the name is held for 120 days after the dissolution date. After this period, the LLC name becomes available for new registration in Florida.
Note: Before choosing or reusing any existing or dissolved business name, always perform a Florida trademark search. Even if the name appears available in the Florida LLC name database, it may still be protected under federal or state trademark law, which could lead to legal issues later.
Register your business with the Florida State Department
Once you’ve chosen your state and completed a name search with the Florida Secretary of State following the naming rules, you can file your Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations — or let Buykii handle it for you.
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General Suggestions for Choosing a Business Name in Florida
When you’re deciding on a business name in Florida, it’s not just about completing a Florida LLC name search and registering your company. Your LLC name isn’t just a formality on paper — it’s part of your brand identity and affects your online presence, marketing, and credibility. Before finalizing your Florida business name, consider the following important steps:
1. Do a Domain Name Check
Every business today — whether physical or online — needs a website. Once you’ve chosen a unique LLC name, perform a domain name search to make sure the domain that matches your business name is available.
If the domain name isn’t available after you register your Florida LLC, you might be forced to rebrand, which can be costly and confusing for customers. Using a different domain that doesn’t match your LLC name can also cause brand inconsistency and reduce customer trust.
2. Check Business Name Availability on Social Media
Building a strong social media presence is essential for modern businesses. After you finalize your LLC name, check if it’s available on major platforms like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram
Having a consistent business name across all social platforms strengthens your brand image and helps customers easily find your company online.
3. Conduct a Trademark Search
Just because the State of Florida approves your LLC name doesn’t mean it’s legally protected. Always perform a Florida trademark search and a USPTO (federal trademark) search to ensure your name isn’t already trademarked by another company.
Using a trademarked name could lead to cease-and-desist notices, lawsuits, or expensive rebranding later. Confirming your name’s availability both at the state and federal level keeps your business safe.
4. Register Your Business with the Florida State
Once you’ve confirmed your LLC name availability, you can proceed to register your Florida LLC with the Florida Department of State.
If you’re not ready to register right away, you can reserve your LLC name by filing a Florida LLC name reservation application. This reserves your chosen business name for 120 days.
When you’re ready to launch, file the Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations — or let Buykii handle your Florida LLC registration quickly and accurately.
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Fast and Free
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FAQs About Choosing a Florida LLC Name
No, you don’t need to file a Florida LLC name reservation before registration. Once you perform a Florida LLC name search and confirm the name’s availability, you can directly file your LLC formation application.
However, if you’ve decided on a name but aren’t ready to submit your Articles of Organization, Florida allows you to reserve your desired LLC name for 120 days by filing a name reservation application with the Florida Department of State.
Yes. Every Florida LLC name must include one of the approved designators, such as LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company, at the end of the business name. This helps clearly identify your company as a Limited Liability Company in state records..
Yes, you can include your personal name in your Florida LLC name.
Example:
“John Smith Consulting LLC” or “Smith & Co. Holdings L.L.C.”
This approach is common for professional service businesses such as consultants, attorneys, or real estate agents.
Yes. If you want to update or change your LLC name in Florida, you must file an Articles of Amendment with the Florida Division of Corporations and pay filing fee. Once approved, your new business name will appear on the state’s Sunbiz database.
Legally, no — your domain name doesn’t have to match your LLC name exactly. However, for branding and marketing consistency, it’s strongly recommended to keep them as similar as possible. If your exact domain isn’t available, choose a close variation to maintain brand recognition.
If you only filed a Florida name reservation, the name will expire after 120 days if you don’t register your LLC within that period.
If your LLC is already registered, your business name will remain active as long as your company stays in good standing and you continue filing your annual reports with the Florida Department of State.