How to Choose a Company Name in Romania: A Practical Guide

Choosing a name is one of the first and most important decisions when starting a business in Romania. Your company name will appear on official documents, marketing materials and contracts, so it should be memorable, compliant with local rules and available for registration. This guide explains the key legal requirements and practical considerations for naming a Romanian company.

Legal Requirements for Company Names

Romanian law sets clear rules for what a company name can and cannot include. The most important requirement is that the name must be unique: no two companies can have identical names. This is checked against the Trade Register's database when you apply for registration.

Every company name must include a legal form indicator. For example, a limited liability company must end with "SRL" (Societate cu Răspundere Limitată) or "S.R.L.", and a joint-stock company with "SA" (Societate pe Acțiuni). These suffixes can be written in full or abbreviated, but they must be present.

Certain words are restricted and may only be used with special approval. These include terms like "national", "Romanian", "institute", "academy" or "university", which imply a public or official character. Names that are offensive, misleading or too similar to existing trademarks may also be rejected.

Company names can be in any language using the Latin alphabet. Romanian diacritics (ă, â, î, ș, ț) are allowed, but many businesses choose to omit them for simplicity in international communication.

Checking Name Availability

Before you settle on a name, you should check that it is not already taken. You can do this yourself by searching the online database of the National Trade Register Office (ONRC). The search is free and shows all registered companies with similar names.

It is also worth checking the EUIPO database for registered trademarks, as a company name that conflicts with an existing trademark can cause legal problems later, even if the Trade Register accepts it.

To reserve a name before you formally register the company, you can apply for a name reservation at the ONRC. The reservation is valid for three months and can be extended, giving you time to prepare the other registration documents.

Practical Tips for a Good Business Name

Beyond the legal rules, a good company name should be easy to pronounce, spell and remember. If you plan to do business internationally, consider how the name sounds in other languages and whether it might have unintended meanings.

Many Romanian companies use a combination of a descriptive word and a distinctive element, such as "TechVision Solutions SRL" or "Green Garden Servicii SRL". However, it is often wise to avoid overly generic names that may be hard to protect or differentiate.

Once you have chosen a name, it is a good idea to secure the matching .ro domain name and social media handles, even if you don't plan to use them right away. This prevents others from taking them and helps build a consistent brand.

In summary, choosing a company name in Romania involves checking availability, respecting legal suffixes and avoiding restricted or misleading terms. Taking the time to find a name that is both compliant and memorable will pay off as your business grows.