How to Name Your Business in the United States

Do you want to find the best name for your business in the United States?

If you are a U.S. or foreign entrepreneur, this practical guide is for you!



This second guide in the YES TO ENTREPRENEURS® series will help you understand the essential characteristics of your business name. It will also provide you with the tools you need to choose and protect your company name in the United States and around the world.



Together, we will explore several aspects related to a business name:

✅ The 7 important characteristics

✅ The 8 essential tools

✅ The 5 steps of the process

✅ The 5 levels of protection

✅ The 3 urban legends

✅ The 5 mistakes not to make

✅ The 20 types of names to avoid

✅ The 4 steps of a name change



💥 Exclusive Bonus: Useful Resources

Throughout the process of writing this guide, the author accumulated many hyperlinks that greatly enrich its content. An up-to-date list of these hyperlinks can be found at the web address listed in the Useful Resources section, at the end of this guide.



🇺🇸 Take action! Choose the best name for your business.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR



A lawyer by training, Vincent Allard is above all an entrepreneur. In 1999, although he was well established in Montreal, Canada, he decided to immigrate to the United States with his family and their dog Rusty. In 2001, he launched CorpoMax Inc., specializing in the creation of U.S. companies.



For nearly 20 years, Vincent Allard has helped thousands of entrepreneurs from over 50 countries start their businesses in the United States. He is a regular speaker on the organization and launch of U.S. companies.



Vincent Allard is the author of three practical guides for entrepreneurs, available in English and French:

* How to Start Your Business in the United States

* How to Name Your Business in the United States

* How to Open Your Bank Account in the United States



The author is member of the Quebec Bar, Canadian Bar and American Bar associations.



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* CONTENTS *



1 - INTRODUCTION

1.1 Presentation

1.2 Important Definitions



2 - CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUSINESS NAME

2.1 Length of the Name

2.2 Spelling of the Name

2.3 Pronunciation of the Name

2.4 Sound of the Name

2.5 Visual Aspect of the Name

2.6 Meaning of the Name

2.7 Originality of the Name



3 - ELEMENTS OF THE BUSINESS NAME

3.1 Beginning and End

3.2 Singular and Plural

3.3 Numbers

3.4 Lowercase and Uppercase

3.5 Punctuation and Typographic Signs

3.6 Accented Characters

3.7 Special Characters and Mathematical Signs

3.8 Repeated Characters

3.9 Repeated Words

3.10 Words Stuck Together

3.11 Initialisms and Acronyms

3.12 Legal Identifier

3.13 Logo

3.14 Slogan



4 - TYPES OF BUSINESS NAMES

4.1 Name of an Individual

4.2 Geographical Name

4.3 Temporal Name

4.4 Historical Name

4.5 Metaphorical Name

4.6 Numeric Name

4.7 Name in Foreign Language

4.8 Domain Name

4.9 Assumed Name

4.10 Descriptive Name

4.11 Distinctive Name

4.12 Military Name

4.13 Religious or Charitable Name

4.14 Superlative Name

4.15 Name with Initials

4.16 Name with Greeting

4.17 Humorous Name

4.18 Action Name

4.19 Positive Name

4.20 Animal Name



5 - HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BUSINESS NAME

5.1 The 8 Essential Tools

5.2 The 5 Steps of the Process

5.3 The 3 Urban Legends

5.4 The 5 Mistakes Not to Make

5.5 The 20 Types of Names to Avoid

5.6 25 Famous Names: Where Do They Come From?



6 - HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS NAME

6.1 Protection no. 1: Business Name

6.2 Protection no. 2: Domain Name

6.3 Protection no. 3: Trademark

6.4 Protection no. 4: Social Network

6.5 Protection no. 5: Search Engines

6.6 Act Alone or Hire an Expert



7 - HOW TO CHANGE YOUR BUSINESS NAME

7.1 Why Change Your Business Name?

7.2 Pros and Cons of Name Change

7.3 The 4 Steps of the Name Change

7.4 Change Your Domain Name

7.5 Change Your Trademark



8 - CONCLUSION

8.1 The 3 Golden Rules of Your Business Name



* EXCLUSIVE BONUS: Useful Resources