Hong Kong Company Name Rules: 8 Official Guidelines to Get Approved

Quick Answer

A Hong Kong company may use an English name, a Traditional Chinese name, or separate names in both languages; one registered name cannot mix English letters and Chinese characters.

The name must end correctly, pass the same-name test, avoid restricted wording, and be checked separately for “too like” and trademark risks.

These eight practical checks are Captime’s filing framework based on the Companies Registry’s official company-name guidance and recommended pre-filing searches.

Rule 1

Use the Permitted English or Chinese Name Format

A local company may register an English name, a Chinese name, or separate names in both languages. One registered name cannot mix English letters with Chinese characters.

An English name must end with “Limited”, not “Ltd”. A Chinese name must end with “有限公司” and use Traditional Chinese characters; Simplified Chinese is not accepted.

Omitting the legal ending requires a section 103 licence, generally for qualifying associations that promote useful objects, apply income to those objects and prohibit dividends to members.

Rule 2

Search the Companies Registry Before Filing

Use the Companies Registry’s free e-Services Portal. Run Exact Name Search with the complete proposed name, including spaces, punctuation and the legal ending.

Then run Left Partial Search without “Limited” or “有限公司” to review current and former names, and check old names subject to change directions.

Names are not reserved, and registrability is confirmed only after processing. Prepare two or three genuinely different alternatives.

Rule 3

Understand When Two Names Are Treated as the Same

Capitalisation, spaces, accents and punctuation do not make an existing name different. The opening word “The” and common company endings may also be disregarded; for example, “A-B-C Limited” and “a b c Limited” are treated as the same.

The Registry also treats “and” and “&,” “Hong Kong,” “Hongkong” and “HK,” and “Far East” and “FE” as equivalent. Certain Traditional Chinese characters may also be treated as the same where they are reasonably interchangeable in Hong Kong usage.

Rule 4

Avoid Names That Cannot Be Registered

A name will generally not be registered if it matches a name in the Registrar’s Index or a body corporate incorporated or established under an Ordinance.

The Registrar may also refuse a name that would constitute a criminal offence, is offensive, or is contrary to the public interest. A later change may be directed where the name gives so misleading an indication of the company’s activities as to be likely to cause public harm.

Rule 5

Obtain Approval for Government-Linked or Listed Words

Prior approval is required where a name would be likely to suggest a connection with the Central People’s Government, the Hong Kong SAR Government, or a department or agency of either government. Words such as “Government,” “Department,” “Commission,” “Bureau,” “Federation,” “Council” and “Authority” may create that impression.

The Registrar’s prior approval is also required for listed expressions including “chamber of commerce,” “kaifong,” “levy,” “savings,” “tourist board,” “tourist association,” “trust” and “trustee.” An old name subject to a statutory change direction may also require consent before reuse.

Rule 6

Check Words Restricted by Other Hong Kong Laws

Improper use of expressions controlled by other legislation may be a criminal offence. Using “Bank” requires consent from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

Using “insurance,” “assurance” or related wording normally requires written consent from the Insurance Authority unless exempted. Restrictions also cover “Stock Exchange,” “Unified Exchange,” “certified public accountant,” “public accountant,” “CPA,” “PA” and related descriptions.

Rule 7

Avoid Names That Are “Too Like” Earlier Companies

A name may pass Exact Name Search but still be visually, phonetically or commercially too similar to an earlier company. The Registry generally does not assess “too like” risk before incorporation.

The Registrar may consider pronunciation, appearance, spelling variations, the businesses involved and evidence of confusion. An earlier company may object, and a direction may generally be issued within 12 months of registration.

Rule 8

Complete a Separate Trademark and Brand Search

Company-name registration and trademark registration are separate systems. Acceptance by the Companies Registry does not create trademark or other intellectual-property rights in the name.

Search the Intellectual Property Department’s Trade Mark Search system before filing. Brand-led businesses should consider registration in the relevant classes because a Certificate of Incorporation does not prevent trademark infringement, passing-off claims or challenges from another rights holder.

Practical Brand Checks Before Filing

A legally registrable name should also work consistently across real business systems. Complete these commercial checks after the Registry and trademark review:

1. Check the matching domain, social-media handles and marketplace store name.
2. Choose wording that is easy to spell, pronounce and reproduce on contracts and invoices.
3. Prepare one exact master version for banks, payment providers and e-commerce platforms.
4. Screen both language versions where the company will register English and Chinese names.

How Captime Helps

Captime Corporate Management Limited (TCSP Licence No. TC010212) screens proposed names for exact conflicts, legal endings, language-format issues, controlled wording and common similarity risks.

The team can establish consistent English and Chinese forms before incorporation, reducing discrepancies across company documents, bank applications and payment platforms.

Use Captime’s Hong Kong company-name availability checker and request a deeper review. Screening cannot guarantee registration because final acceptance remains with the Companies Registry.

Official References

1. Companies Registry — Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/companies_ordinance/docs/Guide_RegCompName-e.pdf
2. Companies Registry — Company Name FAQs https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/faq/local-company/company-name.htm
3. Companies Registry — Section 103 Licence Guidance https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/companies_ordinance/docs/Guide_Section103-e.pdf
4. Companies Registry — Register a New Company https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/services/register-company.htm
5. Intellectual Property Department — Search for a Trade Mark https://www.ipd.gov.hk/en/trade-marks/search-for-a-trade-mark/index.html
6. Official Register of Trust or Company Service Provider Licensees — TC010212 https://www.tcsp.cr.gov.hk/tcspls/search/public-search?k=TC010212