Start with a broad web search
Search the exact name in quotation marks, without quotation marks and alongside category words. Look for similar spellings, plural forms and phonetic neighbours. A candidate can be technically unused yet still create confusion with an established organisation.
Search companies and trade names
Check official business registers in the countries where you intend to operate. Company-name registration and trademark rights are different systems, so one search cannot replace the other. Note relevant industries and locations rather than treating every identical word as an automatic conflict.
Review trademark databases
Search the official databases for the intended markets and relevant goods or service classes. Include visually and phonetically similar terms. Trademark analysis can be complex; consult a qualified professional when the launch, investment or potential conflict is significant.
Check domains strategically
The exact dot-com is useful but not the only viable option. Consider a relevant country extension, descriptive modifier or alternative extension that suits the organisation. Avoid awkward spellings that must be explained every time. Review the domain’s history before purchase.
Check social and marketplace use
Search priority social platforms, app stores and marketplaces. Matching handles are convenient but not essential if a clear, consistent variation is available. More important is avoiding a profile that could be mistaken for a competitor or problematic former use.
Check language and culture
Ask native speakers in important markets to pronounce the name and describe possible meanings. Automated translation may miss slang, sound associations and culturally specific interpretations.
Document the research
- Record the date, market and query.
- Save links or screenshots of close matches.
- Note relevant categories and how the organisations differ.
- Keep the domain and social options considered.
- Escalate uncertainty instead of labelling it “probably fine”.
Repeat the checks shortly before launch. Registrations, domains and market activity can change while a brand identity is being developed.