Your registered company name is the official name of your business. In Swiss French, it is called the raison de commerce, often also referred to as the raison sociale. Start with your legal structure, search for similar company names and trademarks, then check that your choice reflects your activity and is easy to remember.
This article explains the rules for a sole proprietorship, an LLC (Sàrl/GmbH) or an SA/AG, with examples and a practical method to prepare your choice before commercial registration.
Choosing a Swiss company name: the essentials
- For a sole proprietorship: the owner’s family name must appear in the registered business name.
- For an LLC or SA/AG: the chosen name includes the relevant legal form.
- To check your idea: search existing businesses, trademarks and domain names.
- A search result is only a starting point: it neither reserves the name nor provides legal clearance.
- Before commissioning your visual identity: shortlist several options and investigate potential similarities.
What is a registered company name in Switzerland?
The registered name identifies the business in commercial dealings and official documents. Once recorded in the commercial register (in French), it must be used as registered in the relevant documents. A brand name or logo can complement this identity.
| Term | Purpose | Illustrative example |
|---|---|---|
| Registered company or business name | The business’s official name | Atelier Nivora Sàrl |
| Trading name or shop name | Public-facing name identifying an activity or establishment | Atelier Nivora |
| Trademark | A sign distinguishing products or services; protection is a separate process | Nivora for a product range |
| Domain name | The address used to access a website | A domain corresponding to the chosen name |
These examples explain the concepts; they are not names confirmed as available or acceptable. A company can use its registered name in contracts and a different brand with customers. Our article on brand strategy (in French) explores the commercial side (in French).
Naming rules for a sole proprietorship, LLC or SA/AG
Your legal structure determines the mandatory elements of the name. Decide on the structure before preparing incorporation documents.
| Structure | Required elements | Example structure |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | Owner’s official family name, with or without first name, optionally supplemented by an activity or distinctive element | Morel, atelier de céramique |
| LLC (Sàrl/GmbH) | Chosen name plus the appropriate LLC legal-form designation | Nivora Design Sàrl |
| Limited company (SA/AG) | Chosen name plus the appropriate limited-company designation | Nivora Design SA |
These examples illustrate name construction only. A sole proprietorship cannot replace the owner’s family name with an invented name alone. For an LLC or SA/AG, members’ or shareholders’ names are optional.
How to check if a Swiss company name is available
Follow these checks for each of your two or three shortlisted names. Keep a record of the results and search dates.
Search existing businesses
Start with Zefix. Search the proposed name, then its distinctive element without “SA”, “AG”, “Sàrl” or “GmbH”. Try spelling variants, related words and similar sounds. An exact-match search alone can miss potential conflicts.
Investigate similar names
Identify names that could be confused with yours. The Federal Commercial Registry Office offers an official identical or similar name search through REGIX. The stated fee is CHF 50. This search does not determine whether the name is legally admissible.
Check trademarks
Consult Swissreg and examine similar trademarks covering your products or services. A specialist can assess similarities and earlier rights. A business absent from Zefix may still own a protected trademark.
Check domains and online use
Search the name online, then check domains and handles on platforms relevant to your business. An available domain gives you no rights over a registered company name or trademark.
Clarify admissibility before filing
If you are unsure about the wording, contact the cantonal commercial register office. Similarity and third-party rights may require further assessment. Keep an alternative name ready before finalising the file.
Questions before starting your company?
In a 30-minute consultation for CHF 89, we review your project and the steps to prepare, including the legal structure and registered name.
Rules your company name must follow
A name consistent with your business
Information in the name must reflect the activity. Check consistency with your corporate purpose and avoid misleading descriptions of the services or structure.
A distinctive element
A simple description of the activity may be insufficient. Combine it with an element that identifies your business: a surname, invented word or original combination.
Special terms requiring checks
Some terms are restricted, particularly regulated business descriptions, official designations and protected abbreviations. Have these checked before choosing the name.
Spelling you can use every day
Distinguish the registered name from its graphic presentation. The register accepts Latin letters and Arabic numerals, but not images or special signs such as %, $ or @. It does not register your logo design. Choose spelling that is easy to copy into a contract, email or search.
Can you include Geneva, Lausanne or “Swiss”?
A geographic term is assessed in the context of the whole name. If a municipality indicates the registered office, it should generally match the company’s location. Exceptions exist, so geographic references cannot all be reduced to one automatic rule.
Also consider a future move of your registered office to another municipality. Relocation may require a name amendment. Have sensitive or ambiguous wording checked by the relevant register.
Can a Swiss company name be in English?
Yes, a name may contain English words. The legal-form designation must be stated in a Swiss national language; an English legal-form version can be registered as a translation. If several language versions are registered, their meaning must correspond. Plan these versions when preparing your documents.
Swiss company name examples: improving an idea
This table illustrates how to assess a name. The examples are fictional and still require availability and admissibility checks.
| Initial idea | Issue to consider | Possible wording |
|---|---|---|
| Pottery studio, for a sole proprietorship | The owner’s family name is missing | Morel, atelier de céramique |
| Conseil Sàrl | The wording only describes an activity | Nivora Conseil Sàrl, with the distinctive element still to be checked |
| Nivora SA when forming an LLC | The legal form is incorrect | Nivora Sàrl, subject to searches |
| Nivora Genève Sàrl with a registered office outside Geneva | The geographic reference may raise questions | Review the geographic term or consider Nivora Sàrl |
| A name very close to a competitor’s | A small spelling change may still leave a risk of confusion | Choose a different root name and repeat the checks |
How to choose a memorable business name
Once the legal framework is clear, compare your ideas from a customer’s perspective. A good name is easy to understand, pronounce and find.
- Describe your activity in one sentence. Who are your customers and which service should the name identify?
- Prepare several options. Explore your surname, an evocative word or an original combination.
- Test it out loud. Ask someone to write the name after hearing it, then recall it later.
- Test languages relevant to your market. Check pronunciation and possible meanings, especially if you will work across Switzerland’s language regions or internationally.
- Think about growth. A name tied to one service or location may become less suitable as the business develops.
A name generator can help broaden your list. Every suggestion needs the same checks as an idea you developed yourself. Keep two or three finalists so you are not dependent on one name.
Company name, trademark and domain: what is protected?
Commercial registration and trademark registration (in French) serve different needs. The register identifies the business; a trademark protects a sign for specified products or services. A domain is an internet address.
Commercial registration does not automatically protect the name as a trademark or eliminate conflicts with earlier marks. If the name is central to your business, plan its protection before investing in a logo, signage and marketing.
Which name should appear on invoices and contracts?
Use the full, unchanged name as registered. You may add a logo or trading name. Recipients must be able to identify clearly the business they are dealing with.
Before sending your first documents, align the details on your invoices, quotations, contracts and payment instructions. Check the legal form, spelling and identity displayed on your website.
What if your company needs a new name?
A name can be changed after incorporation. For an LLC or SA/AG, this involves an amendment to the articles and commercial registration. Commercial and administrative materials must then be updated.
If your company already exists, our service for changing an LLC or SA/AG name explains the support available. The same naming rules and searches apply to the new name.
Your final company-name checklist
- The wording matches your legal form and activity.
- You have searched the name and its variants among existing businesses.
- Potentially similar trademarks have been examined.
- You have checked the domain and existing online commercial use.
- Special issues have been clarified with the register or a specialist.
- You have an alternative name and the final spelling for the documents.
You can then continue preparing your company formation (in French) with the remaining details: registered office, purpose, founders and organisation.
Frequently asked questions about Swiss company names
What is a company’s raison sociale?
It is the official business name, called raison de commerce in Swiss law. For a registered business, find the complete wording in the commercial register (in French). It may differ from the brand presented to customers.
What should I enter in a “name or company name” field?
For a company, enter the full registered name, including SA, AG, Sàrl or GmbH as applicable. For a person acting privately, enter their name as requested. For a sole proprietorship, use the complete business identity.
What is the difference between raison sociale and raison individuelle?
Raison sociale means the company name. A raison individuelle, or sole proprietorship, is a legal structure in which an individual carries on business in their own name.
Is my family name compulsory for a sole proprietorship?
Yes. The owner’s official family name must appear in the registered name. It may be supplemented by a first name, activity description or distinctive element.
How do I find out whether a name is already taken in Switzerland?
Start with Zefix, then check spelling variants and similar trademarks. An exact search is an initial check, not a guarantee against conflicts or refusal.
Can I reserve a name before incorporation?
No. A search or domain purchase does not reserve a registered company name. Prepare your documents and repeat the checks shortly before filing.
Can I use the same name in a different canton?
For an LLC or SA/AG, another canton does not remove the conflict: the name must be clearly distinguishable from other commercial companies and cooperatives already registered in Switzerland. A sole proprietorship’s registration-based protection is local, but other third-party rights still need checking.
Does commercial registration also protect my trademark?
No. Commercial registration does not automatically create trademark protection. Registering a Swiss trademark (in French) is a separate process for the relevant products and services.
Can my trading name differ from my registered name?
Yes. You may use a trading name or brand with the public. The full registered name must remain clearly identifiable where required, particularly on invoices and contracts.
How do I change the name of an LLC or SA/AG?
Prepare the necessary resolutions and documents, amend the articles and register the change. See our service for changing your company name.
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Official sources
- Federal Office of Justice: business name searches and protection
- Federal Commercial Registry Office: directive on business names
- Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property: company names and trademarks
- SECO SME Portal: developing a brand identity
English editorial adaptation: September 2026. Examples illustrate the rules. Check their suitability and availability for your own project before using them.
Romain Prieur is a Swiss-qualified accountant and founder of Entreprendre.ch. With more than ten years of experience in auditing and supporting Swiss businesses, he advises entrepreneurs on company formation, accounting and taxation.
