🏢 Tips for Choosing Your Company Name
🏢 Tips for Choosing Your Company Name
Learn from real experiences and expert guidelines
When we first started, our company was called Velvet Corporate Resources. Unfortunately, many people thought we were running a bakery — all thanks to the word “Velvet” (like Red Velvet Cake!). We quickly rebranded and became Empire Corporate Consultants Sdn Bhd — a name that better represents our professional services.
A strong name is the heart of your business. Here’s how to make the right choice:
- Private Company: Must end with “Sendirian Berhad” (Sdn Bhd)
- Public Company: Must end with “Berhad” (Bhd)
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Name | Based on your full name or your partner’s | Ben Beller Sdn Bhd |
| Trade Name | Reflects your business activity | International tech Sdn Bhd |
- Not too long (under 50 characters recommended)
- Not too short (e.g. “Zam Sdn Bhd” is too vague)
Your name should clearly reflect your industry or services
Example: Elite Construction Sdn Bhd, Tasty Catering Sdn Bhd
- Avoid overly generic names — there are over 1 million SSM-registered companies!
- Make your brand stand out.
- Avoid foreign symbols or unreadable characters.
- Names in foreign languages are allowed (but Arabic, Korean, Chinese characters are not).
❗ Prohibited (Gazetted) Words
These words are restricted by law and cannot be used in company names unless authorized.
Use of these words requires SSM evaluation and justifications.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I use my enterprise name for my Sdn Bhd? | ❌ No. SSM no longer allows this. |
| How long does the name search take? | ⏱️ 1 to 3 working days. |
| Can I use a gazetted word? | ✅ Only with proper justification and SSM approval. |
| How long is the name search valid? | 📅 Valid for 30 days. |
| What documents do I need? | 📎 NRIC or passport copy. |
| How many name suggestions should I submit? | ✨ We recommend 3 options. |
| How to check name availability? | 🧾 Just give us your suggestions — we’ll do the rest! |
| Does my business name need to reflect the industry? | ✅ Yes, especially for regulated businesses (e.g., travel agencies must include relevant terms). |
