How to Check a Company Name Before You Apply to SECP in Pakistan
Test your proposed company name against Section 10 of the Companies Act, search it on SECP eServices and offer three names in order before you file in Pakistan.
Short answer: Before you apply to SECP, search your proposed company name on the SECP eServices name search. Under Section 10 of the Companies Act, 2017, the name must not match or resemble an existing company, must not be deceptive, offensive or religious in a misleading way, and must not use a prohibited word. Give three names in order of choice.
Picking a name feels like the fun part of starting a business. It is also the first place an application gets stuck. A name that looks new to you may be too close to a company that was registered ten years ago.
We read the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan's page on registration of a company on 13 October 2026. The rules below come from that page. The name reservation fee schedule and the commission's separate name FAQ file were blocked when we tried to open them, so we give no fee here.
Section 10 sets five tests for every company name
SECP says a proposed name must pass five conditions in Section 10 of the Companies Act, 2017. If your name fails even one, the registrar can refuse it. Test your name against all five before you spend time on forms.
| Test | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Not the same or similar | It cannot be identical to, or resemble, an existing company name |
| Not inappropriate or deceptive | It cannot mislead people about what the company is |
| Not undesirable | It cannot copy a registered trademark, offend a section of people, or resemble a registered LLP name |
| No religious exploitation | It cannot be designed to use religious feelings |
| No prohibited word | It cannot contain a word on SECP's prohibited list |
The word undesirable has a wide meaning. SECP says it includes a name that copies a registered trademark, and any word the registrar thinks is undesirable. The registrar has some discretion, so a close call can go either way.
Search the name on eServices first
SECP provides a Search Company Name tool on its eServices portal. Type your name and see whether anything similar exists. It is free to look and it takes a minute. Try spelling variants too, such as with and without the word Pakistan, and with a different ending like Traders or Trading.
A search that shows nothing is a good sign, not a promise. The registrar still checks resemblance in the way a person would. If your name sounds like a well known company, expect trouble even when the spelling is different.
Also check the trademark side. If another business owns the mark, your company name can be refused. The page on how to register a trademark in Pakistan explains how to see what is already registered.
Offer three names in order of priority
SECP says a combined application for name reservation and incorporation must include three proposed names in order of priority. The registrar may approve any one of them. So you do not need to lose a week if your first choice fails.
- Write ten possible names on paper.
- Search each one on the eServices name search.
- Remove any name close to an existing company or a brand you know.
- Check the rest against the list of prohibited words.
- Rank the best three and enter them in that order.
Put your strongest name first, but make sure the third one is a name you would be happy to keep. The registrar can pick any of the three, so do not add a name you dislike.
Check the list of prohibited words
SECP keeps a list of prohibited words and links it from the registration page. Read the current list on the SECP site rather than trusting an old copy.
We did not copy the list here, because it can change. Open it before you finalise the name. If your name contains a word you think is borderline, replace it. It is faster than waiting for a refusal.
A private limited company also needs the right ending in its name. The step by step on registering a private limited company with SECP covers the rest of the application, including the documents.
Choose the right company type before the name
SECP says any three or more persons may form a public or private company. If only one member forms a private company, it is called a single member company. The type decides how many people you need.
Some small traders do not need a company at all. A shop owner who sells in their own name may be fine as a sole proprietor, and a group of partners can use a partnership firm. Our pages on registering as a sole proprietor with FBR and registering a partnership firm in Punjab show those routes.
A company gives you a separate legal identity and is the better fit for investors and bank loans. It also brings annual filings. Think about that cost before you start.
What to do if the registrar refuses a name
If a name is refused, you do not need to start again from nothing. Pick the next name on your list or change the form of the word. Do not make a tiny change such as one extra letter, because that can still count as similar.
Keep the refusal message. It usually shows why the name failed, and you can use it to avoid the same mistake. For a stubborn problem, SECP lets promoters appoint a registered intermediary, and the steps for that route are in how to file a company application with SECP online.
Also avoid telling customers your company name before it is approved. Printing cards or a signboard first is a common and costly error.
Common questions
Which law sets the rules for company names in Pakistan?
Section 10 of the Companies Act, 2017 sets the conditions, as SECP states on its registration page.
How many names can I propose to SECP?
Three, in order of priority, in a combined application. The registrar may approve any one.
Where do I check if a company name is already taken?
Use the Search Company Name tool on the SECP eServices portal.
Can I use a registered trademark in my company name?
No, not without the right to it. SECP lists the name of a registered trademark as an example of an undesirable name.
What is a single member company?
It is a private company formed by only one member, according to SECP.
How much does name reservation cost?
We could not read SECP's fee page, so we give no figure. Check the SECP fee calculator before you pay.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read SECP's page on registration of a company and name reservation. The name FAQ file and the schedule of fees were blocked when we tried them, so fees and extra name rules are not covered. The prohibited word list can change, so open it on the SECP site.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
