Sensitive Words in Company Names

How to get approval for a sensitive word

A name can be unused on the register and still need approval. The requirements depend on the word and the context in which it is used.

1. Find the word in the Companies House naming guidance and check its approval criteria.
2. Obtain any supporting evidence or letter of non-objection from the relevant body where the guidance requires it.
3. Include the required evidence with your application to Companies House.

If you are unsure which evidence applies to your proposed name, ask our Belfast team about the wording before submitting. A company-name search is an initial check, not approval to use a sensitive word.

Examples of sensitive words

• Accounts Commission for Scotland
• Accredit / Accreditation / Accredited
• Adjudicator
• Alba / Na h-Alba / Albannach
• Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru
• Association
• Assurance / Assurer
• Audit Commission
• Auditor General / Audit Office
• Auditor General for Northern Ireland
• Auditor General for Scotland / Audit Scotland
• Auditor General for Wales
• Banc / Bank / Banking
• Benevolent
• Breatainn / Breatannach
• Brenin / Brenhines
• Brenhinol / Brenhiniaeth
• Britain / British
• Chamber of Commerce / Enterprise / Industry / Trade / Training
• Charitable / Charity
• Charter
• Chartered
• Chartered Accountant / ICAEW
• Chartered Secretary
• Chartered Surveyor
• Child Maintenance / Child Support
• Comhairle
• Coimisean
• Comisiwn
• Cynulliad / Cenedlaethol / Cymru
• Community Benefit Society
• Comptroller and Auditor General
• Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland
• Co-operative
• Co-operative Society
• Council
• Cymru / Cymreig / Cymraeg
• Cyngor
• Dental / Dentistry
• Dentist / Dental Surgeon / Dental Practitioner
• Diùc / Ban-diùc
• Dug / Duges
• Duke / Duchess
• Ei Fawrhydi / Ei Mawrhydi
• England / of England / English
• Federation
• Financial Conduct Authority / Financial Services Authority
• Financial Reporting Council
• Foundation
• Friendly Society
• Fund
• Government
• The Governor and Company of the Bank of England
• Gwasanaeth iechyd
• Health and Safety Executive
• Health and Social Care Board
• Health centre / Health service
• Health visitor
• His Majesty / Her Majesty
• House of Commons / House of Lords
• HPSS / HSC
• Inspectorate
• Institute / Institution
• Insurance / Insurer
• Judicial appointment
• King
• Law Commission
• Licensing
• Llywodraeth
• Medical centre
• Midwife / Midwifery
• Mòrachd
• Mutual
• National Assembly for Wales / Commission
• National Audit Office
• NHS
• Northern Ireland / Northern Irish
• Northern Ireland Assembly / Commission / Executive
• Northern Ireland Audit Office
• Nurse / Nursing
• Office for Nuclear Regulation
• Oifis sgrùdaidh
• Oilthigh
• Ombudsman / Ombwdsmon
• Parlamaid
• Parliament / Parliamentary
• Patent / Patentee
• The Pensions Advisory Service
• Police
• Polytechnic
• Post Office
• Prifysgol
• Prince / Princess
• Prionnsa / Bana-phrionnsa
• Prudential Regulation Authority
• Prydain / Prydeinig
• Public Health Agency
• Queen
• Reassurance / Reassurer
• Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Wellbeing
• Regional Health and Social Care Board
• Registrar
• Registered Society
• Regulator
• Reinsurance / Reinsurer
• Riaghaltas
• Rìgh / Banrigh
• Rìoghachd Aonaichte
• Rìoghail / Rìoghalachd
• Royal / Royalty
• Scotland / Scottish
• Scottish Law Commission
• Scottish Parliament / Corporate Body
• Senedd
• Sheffield
• Siambr Fasnach / Ddiwydiant / Fenter / Fusnes / Hyfforddiant
• Social Service
• Society
• Special School
• Standards
• Stock exchange
• Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru
• Teyrnas Gyfunol / Teyrnas Unedig
• Trade Union
• Tribunal
• Trust
• Tywysog / Tywysoges
• Underwrite / Underwriting
• Unit Trust
• University
• Wales / Welsh
• Wales Audit Office
• Welsh Government / Welsh Assembly Government
• Windsor

This list shows common examples and isn’t exhaustive — Companies House guidance is updated from time to time. Not sure about your name? Contact our team.