How to Choose a Company Name in China (A 5-Step Guide)

Key Takeaways

All companies must register their names in standard Chinese characters.
A business’s name should include its location, trade name, industry, and structural type.
Choosing characters strategically can help create a name with positive associations.
Names can now be registered online.

Setting up a new company or subsidiary in China? Here we look at the rules for name registration to ensure you are in full compliance with China company law.

What is Name Registration in China?

Name registration in China is the act of applying for and receiving official recognition of a company’s unique name. Any company wanting to do business in China must receive this recognition from China’s State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR). This body reviews applications for name registration and decides whether a name can or cannot be used.

Except for a few exceptions, a company’s name must be written fully in standard Chinese characters in order to be recognized as a legal name. Typically, a business should include: The name of the administrative division where it is located, its trade name, its industry or business characteristic, and its organizational structure.

With an official name in China, the company can enter into contracts with suppliers and customers and legally hire employees. It also confers the right to file lawsuits. Importantly, an official name identifies a business as a unique enterprise with its brand and corporate identity. For this reason, choosing the right Chinese name for a business is also a crucially important factor in its marketing strategy.

Key Steps for Registering a China Company Name

Order of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China No. 734 came into force on 1 March 2021. This order removed the requirement for a name to be registered before a business in order to speed up the business registration process. Business name registration can take up to seven days for approval but businesses can also now be registered simultaneously.

Since 2019, an online system linked to a name database has been open for name registration in China. This system allows businesses to quickly check if the names they hope to use are allowed and available. To register a name in China, a business can follow these steps:

Select an appropriate business name according to state guidelines.
Choose standard Chinese characters to write this name. Arabic numerals and Latin alphabet letters may be used only in limited cases.
Visit the SAMR’s company name database and input your proposed name to see if it is available.
If the name is available, go to the SAMR’s company name declaration system and input the name and other necessary information (contact details, etc.). Submit your name declaration.
Wait for an acceptance notice. This will normally take five to seven business days, but if a name contains the word “China,” it will need special consideration that will take longer.

If the name is rejected, a reason will be given, and you can adapt your proposed name and try again. Names are frequently rejected if they contain the following:

incorrect spelling
incorrect format/order of characters
only one character
foreign letters or characters
names of foreign countries or regions
close resemblance to another company’s name
discriminatory language based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or gender

Key Rules for Registering a China Company Name

Element	Requirement	Common Pitfalls
Language	Must use standard Chinese characters	Using foreign letters, symbols, or non-standard characters
Administrative Division	Required (e.g. Shanghai)	Using an incorrect or misleading location
Trade Name	Must be distinctive	One-character or overly generic names
Industry Description	Must reflect the main business activity	Mismatch with the approved business scope
Organisational Structure	Required (e.g. Co., Ltd.)	Incorrect or missing entity designation
Restricted Words	“China”, “National”, “State” require special approval	Automatic rejection if used without authorisation
Availability Check	Mandatory via the SAMR name declaration system	Similarity to existing registered company names

2026 China Naming Guidance Introduced

Introduced in January 2026 by the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Enterprise Name Declaration Guide (2025 Edition) brings greater consistency to how company names are reviewed and approved across China. The guidance replaces informal, localised practices with a single national framework, requiring registration authorities to assess proposed company names against uniform structural and industry classification rules rather than discretionary local preferences. Where a company name aligns with the permitted naming structure and its declared business scope, it should now be treated consistently across jurisdictions, with any rejection tied to a specific rule.

For businesses—particularly foreign-invested enterprises—this improves predictability and reduces incorporation delays. Fewer arbitrary rejections mean shorter setup timelines and more confidence when planning entity names in advance, making the early stages of entering or restructuring operations in China more efficient and manageable.

Choose the Right Company Name in China, with MSA's Support

Registering a company name in China requires verifying uniqueness within your province, navigating character restrictions, and understanding brand implications—a seemingly simple step that trips up many founders who don’t plan ahead. Name rejection can delay your entire registration timeline. MSA Asia fast-tracks the name reservation process and advises on character choice. Speak with our advisors to guide your Chinese entity registration.

FAQ

How long does the name registration process in China take?

Since 2001, companies can register their names through an online system that checks a database and immediately informs them if the name is disallowed or already taken. After submission, names are normally approved after five to seven days.

What happens if I don't register a company name?

A company without a name is essentially unable to do business. It cannot hire employees or enter into contracts with suppliers or customers. It would also risk another enterprise taking the name that it planned to use. Therefore, it’s crucial for all companies, domestic or foreign, to register their names to do business in China.