Texas

Texas LLC Naming Rules

Complete 2026 guide to Texas LLC naming requirements — required designators, forbidden and restricted words, uniqueness rules, and how to check availability before filing.

Required Designators in Texas

Your Texas LLC name must end with one of these official designators:

LLC

L.L.C.

Limited Liability Company

Ltd. Liability Company

Limited Company

Forbidden and Regulated Words

Cannot use without state regulatory approval:

Bank (requires Texas Department of Banking)
Trust (Texas Department of Banking)
Credit Union (requires Texas Credit Union Department)

Restricted Words (Require Licensing Board Approval)

Insurance, Underwriter (requires Texas Department of Insurance)
Olympic (protected trademark)
Architect, Engineer — state licensing boards

Uniqueness Requirement in Texas

Must be distinguishable from names on Texas Secretary of State records — Business Name Filings database.

Texas-Specific Naming Rules

Texas allows 'LC' as abbreviation (in addition to LLC)
Name reservation available for $40, holds for 120 days
Series LLCs may use 'Series' in the name

Check Texas LLC name availability — free

Run a free check against Texas's business database plus USPTO federal trademarks in one search.

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FAQ

What must my Texas LLC name include?

Your Texas LLC name must include one of the following designators: LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company, Ltd. Liability Company, Limited Company. Most common: simply appending 'LLC' at the end (e.g., 'Acme Ventures LLC').

How do I check if a Texas LLC name is available?

Search the Texas Secretary of State's business name database online (most states offer free search). Also run a USPTO trademark search for federal conflicts and a .com domain check. FormifyAI's free name-search tool checks both state availability and trademark conflicts.

What words can't I use in my Texas LLC name?

Texas restricts or forbids: Bank (requires Texas Department of Banking); Trust (Texas Department of Banking). These typically require approval from specific state regulatory boards (e.g., insurance commissioner, banking regulator) before use.

Can I use a similar name to an existing Texas business?

No. Must be distinguishable from names on Texas Secretary of State records — Business Name Filings database. "Distinguishable" typically means the names must differ in more than just punctuation, spacing, or articles ('The', 'An', 'A'). Even if the state accepts the filing, you could face trademark lawsuits from the existing business.

Can I reserve a Texas LLC name before filing?

Texas allows 'LC' as abbreviation (in addition to LLC)

What if my preferred Texas LLC name is taken?

Options: (1) Modify the name slightly to make it distinguishable. (2) File under a different legal name and operate as a DBA (fictitious business name). (3) Purchase the existing LLC if it's dormant. (4) Wait for administrative dissolution if the existing LLC is non-compliant. FormifyAI's LLC name generator can suggest 20+ alternatives in seconds.

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