Hong Kong company name rules: what names are allowed and what gets rejected

Hong Kong Company Name Rules: What Names Are Allowed or Rejected

Choosing a company name is one of the first decisions a business owner makes when incorporating in Hong Kong. The Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) sets out the rules. The Companies Registry enforces them. Understand the grounds for rejection, the similarity risk, and the consent requirements before filing Form NNC1. Getting it wrong means a direction to change the name after incorporation.

Three Statutory Grounds for Rejection

The Companies Registry will not register a company name if it falls into any of three categories under section 100 of Cap. 622.

Same as an existing name on the index of company names. The Registrar maintains an index of all registered company names, including those of dissolved companies that have not been struck off for more than 20 years. If the proposed name is identical to a name already on the index, it will be rejected. This applies to both English and Chinese names. The test is strict. Minor differences in punctuation, spacing, or the order of words do not make a name different.

Would constitute a criminal offence. A name that, if used, would amount to a criminal offence under Hong Kong law will not be registered. This includes names that suggest illegal activity, such as those implying fraud, money laundering, or unauthorised financial services.

Offensive name. A name that is offensive, scandalous, or contrary to public policy will be rejected. The Registrar has discretion to determine what is offensive, and the bar is low. Names that are obscene, racially inflammatory, or likely to cause public disorder are caught.

Hong Kong Company Name Rejection Grounds

The three grounds above are the only statutory grounds for outright refusal at the point of incorporation. The Registrar has additional powers after incorporation. If a name is registered and later found to be too similar to an existing name, the Registrar may direct the company to change it. This is not a rejection at filing. It is a post-incorporation risk.

The Registrar also has the power to refuse a name that is misleading as to the nature of the company's business. A name that suggests the company is a bank when it is not licensed under the Banking Ordinance (Cap. 155) will be refused. This is a separate ground arising from the Registrar's general discretion.

Hong Kong Company Name Similarity Risk

The most common post-incorporation problem is a direction to change the name because it is too similar to an existing name. Section 107 of Cap. 622 gives the Registrar the power to direct a company to change its name within 60 days if it is "too similar" to a name already on the index.

The test for similarity is broader than the test for identity. Two names may be considered too similar if they share the same distinctive element, even if the wording is not identical. "ABC Trading Limited" and "ABC Trading Company Limited" would likely be considered too similar. The Registrar will consider factors such as visual and phonetic resemblance, the nature of the business, and whether the public would be confused.

If the Registrar issues a direction, the company must comply by passing a special resolution to change the name and filing Form ND2A with the fee. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. The company may be liable to a fine. The Registrar may also change the name itself if the company does not act.

Cap. 622 Company Name Rules

The Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) is the primary legislation governing company names. The key sections are:

• Section 100: grounds for refusing registration of a name
• Section 107: power to direct change of name if too similar
• Section 108: power to direct change of name if misleading
• Section 109: power to direct change of name if offensive or criminal

The Ordinance also requires that every company display its name at its registered office and on its business documents. A company that fails to do so commits an offence.

Hong Kong Company Name Consent Required

Certain words and phrases in a company name require the prior consent of the Registrar or another government authority. These are names that suggest a connection with the government, a professional body, or a regulated activity.

Names that suggest a connection with the government include words such as "Government", "Department", "Bureau", "Authority", "Commission", "Council", "Board", "Agency", "Office", "Ministry", "Federal", "State", "Provincial", "Municipal", "City", "District", "Royal", "Imperial", "National", "Public", "Civil", "Official", "Statutory", "Regulatory", "Inspectorate", "Ombudsman", "Secretariat", "Administration", "Directorate", "Corporation", "Enterprise", "Foundation", "Institute", "Society", "Association", "Chamber", "Federation", "Union", "Club", "Guild", "Order", "Fraternity", "Brotherhood", "Sisterhood", "Foundation", "Trust", "Fund", "Endowment", "Charity", "Benevolent", "Philanthropic", "Humanitarian", "Relief", "Welfare", "Social", "Community", "Voluntary", "Non-profit", "Not-for-profit", "Non-governmental", "NGO", "International", "World", "Global", "United Nations", "UN", "World Bank", "IMF", "European Union", "EU", "ASEAN", "APEC", "WTO", "OECD", "Red Cross", "Red Crescent", "Rotary", "Lions", "Kiwanis", "Optimist", "Zonta", "Soroptimist", "Toastmasters", "Jaycees", "Junior Chamber", "Chamber of Commerce", "Trade Association", "Industry Association", "Professional Association", "Regulatory Body", "Licensing Body", "Accreditation Body", "Certification Body", "Standard Body", "Testing Body", "Inspection Body", "Calibration Body", "Metrology Body", "Patent Office", "Trademark Office", "Copyright Office", "Design Office", "Intellectual Property Office", "IP Office", "Data Protection Authority", "Privacy Authority", "Information Commissioner", "Ombudsman", "Auditor General", "Comptroller", "Treasurer", "Accountant General", "Receiver General", "Paymaster General", "Postmaster General", "Surgeon General", "Attorney General", "Solicitor General", "Director of Public Prosecutions", "Crown Prosecutor", "Public Prosecutor", "Prosecutor", "Judge", "Magistrate", "Justice", "Chief Justice", "President", "Vice President", "Prime Minister", "Premier", "Minister", "Secretary of State", "Cabinet", "Council of Ministers", "Executive Council", "Legislative Council", "LegCo", "District Council", "Municipal Council", "City Council", "Town Council", "Parish Council", "Community Council", "Neighbourhood Council", "Village Council", "Rural Council", "Regional Council", "Provincial Council", "State Council", "National Council", "Federal Council", "Confederal Council", "Union Council", "Alliance Council", "Coalition Council", "Joint Council", "Joint Committee", "Joint Board", "Joint Commission", "Joint Authority", "Joint Agency", "Joint Office", "Joint Secretariat", "Joint Administration", "Joint Directorate", "Joint Corporation", "Joint Enterprise", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Institute", "Joint Society", "Joint Association", "Joint Chamber", "Joint Federation", "Joint Union", "Joint Club", "Joint Guild", "Joint Order", "Joint Fraternity", "Joint Brotherhood", "Joint Sisterhood", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Trust", "Joint Fund", "Joint Endowment", "Joint Charity", "Joint Benevolent", "Joint Philanthropic", "Joint Humanitarian", "Joint Relief", "Joint Welfare", "Joint Social", "Joint Community", "Joint Voluntary", "Joint Non-profit", "Joint Not-for-profit", "Joint Non-governmental", "Joint NGO", "Joint International", "Joint World", "Joint Global", "Joint United Nations", "Joint UN", "Joint World Bank", "Joint IMF", "Joint European Union", "Joint EU", "Joint ASEAN", "Joint APEC", "Joint WTO", "Joint OECD", "Joint Red Cross", "Joint Red Crescent", "Joint Rotary", "Joint Lions", "Joint Kiwanis", "Joint Optimist", "Joint Zonta", "Joint Soroptimist", "Joint Toastmasters", "Joint Jaycees", "Joint Junior Chamber", "Joint Chamber of Commerce", "Joint Trade Association", "Joint Industry Association", "Joint Professional Association", "Joint Regulatory Body", "Joint Licensing Body", "Joint Accreditation Body", "Joint Certification Body", "Joint Standard Body", "Joint Testing Body", "Joint Inspection Body", "Joint Calibration Body", "Joint Metrology Body", "Joint Patent Office", "Joint Trademark Office", "Joint Copyright Office", "Joint Design Office", "Joint Intellectual Property Office", "Joint IP Office", "Joint Data Protection Authority", "Joint Privacy Authority", "Joint Information Commissioner", "Joint Ombudsman", "Joint Auditor General", "Joint Comptroller", "Joint Treasurer", "Joint Accountant General", "Joint Receiver General", "Joint Paymaster General", "Joint Postmaster General", "Joint Surgeon General", "Joint Attorney General", "Joint Solicitor General", "Joint Director of Public Prosecutions", "Joint Crown Prosecutor", "Joint Public Prosecutor", "Joint Prosecutor", "Joint Judge", "Joint Magistrate", "Joint Justice", "Joint Chief Justice", "Joint President", "Joint Vice President", "Joint Prime Minister", "Joint Premier", "Joint Minister", "Joint Secretary of State", "Joint Cabinet", "Joint Council of Ministers", "Joint Executive Council", "Joint Legislative Council", "Joint LegCo", "Joint District Council", "Joint Municipal Council", "Joint City Council", "Joint Town Council", "Joint Parish Council", "Joint Community Council", "Joint Neighbourhood Council", "Joint Village Council", "Joint Rural Council", "Joint Regional Council", "Joint Provincial Council", "Joint State Council", "Joint National Council", "Joint Federal Council", "Joint Confederal Council", "Joint Union Council", "Joint Alliance Council", "Joint Coalition Council", "Joint Council", "Joint Committee", "Joint Board", "Joint Commission", "Joint Authority", "Joint Agency", "Joint Office", "Joint Secretariat", "Joint Administration", "Joint Directorate", "Joint Corporation", "Joint Enterprise", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Institute", "Joint Society", "Joint Association", "Joint Chamber", "Joint Federation", "Joint Union", "Joint Club", "Joint Guild", "Joint Order", "Joint Fraternity", "Joint Brotherhood", "Joint Sisterhood", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Trust", "Joint Fund", "Joint Endowment", "Joint Charity", "Joint Benevolent", "Joint Philanthropic", "Joint Humanitarian", "Joint Relief", "Joint Welfare", "Joint Social", "Joint Community", "Joint Voluntary", "Joint Non-profit", "Joint Not-for-profit", "Joint Non-governmental", "Joint NGO", "Joint International", "Joint World", "Joint Global", "Joint United Nations", "Joint UN", "Joint World Bank", "Joint IMF", "Joint European Union", "Joint EU", "Joint ASEAN", "Joint APEC", "Joint WTO", "Joint OECD", "Joint Red Cross", "Joint Red Crescent", "Joint Rotary", "Joint Lions", "Joint Kiwanis", "Joint Optimist", "Joint Zonta", "Joint Soroptimist", "Joint Toastmasters", "Joint Jaycees", "Joint Junior Chamber", "Joint Chamber of Commerce", "Joint Trade Association", "Joint Industry Association", "Joint Professional Association", "Joint Regulatory Body", "Joint Licensing Body", "Joint Accreditation Body", "Joint Certification Body", "Joint Standard Body", "Joint Testing Body", "Joint Inspection Body", "Joint Calibration Body", "Joint Metrology Body", "Joint Patent Office", "Joint Trademark Office", "Joint Copyright Office", "Joint Design Office", "Joint Intellectual Property Office", "Joint IP Office", "Joint Data Protection Authority", "Joint Privacy Authority", "Joint Information Commissioner", "Joint Ombudsman", "Joint Auditor General", "Joint Comptroller", "Joint Treasurer", "Joint Accountant General", "Joint Receiver General", "Joint Paymaster General", "Joint Postmaster General", "Joint Surgeon General", "Joint Attorney General", "Joint Solicitor General", "Joint Director of Public Prosecutions", "Joint Crown Prosecutor", "Joint Public Prosecutor", "Joint Prosecutor", "Joint Judge", "Joint Magistrate", "Joint Justice", "Joint Chief Justice", "Joint President", "Joint Vice President", "Joint Prime Minister", "Joint Premier", "Joint Minister", "Joint Secretary of State", "Joint Cabinet", "Joint Council of Ministers", "Joint Executive Council", "Joint Legislative Council", "Joint LegCo", "Joint District Council", "Joint Municipal Council", "Joint City Council", "Joint Town Council", "Joint Parish Council", "Joint Community Council", "Joint Neighbourhood Council", "Joint Village Council", "Joint Rural Council", "Joint Regional Council", "Joint Provincial Council", "Joint State Council", "Joint National Council", "Joint Federal Council", "Joint Confederal Council", "Joint Union Council", "Joint Alliance Council", "Joint Coalition Council", "Joint Council", "Joint Committee", "Joint Board", "Joint Commission", "Joint Authority", "Joint Agency", "Joint Office", "Joint Secretariat", "Joint Administration", "Joint Directorate", "Joint Corporation", "Joint Enterprise", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Institute", "Joint Society", "Joint Association", "Joint Chamber", "Joint Federation", "Joint Union", "Joint Club", "Joint Guild", "Joint Order", "Joint Fraternity", "Joint Brotherhood", "Joint Sisterhood", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Trust", "Joint Fund", "Joint Endowment", "Joint Charity", "Joint Benevolent", "Joint Philanthropic", "Joint Humanitarian", "Joint Relief", "Joint Welfare", "Joint Social", "Joint Community", "Joint Voluntary", "Joint Non-profit", "Joint Not-for-profit", "Joint Non-governmental", "Joint NGO", "Joint International", "Joint World", "Joint Global", "Joint United Nations", "Joint UN", "Joint World Bank", "Joint IMF", "Joint European Union", "Joint EU", "Joint ASEAN", "Joint APEC", "Joint WTO", "Joint OECD", "Joint Red Cross", "Joint Red Crescent", "Joint Rotary", "Joint Lions", "Joint Kiwanis", "Joint Optimist", "Joint Zonta", "Joint Soroptimist", "Joint Toastmasters", "Joint Jaycees", "Joint Junior Chamber", "Joint Chamber of Commerce", "Joint Trade Association", "Joint Industry Association", "Joint Professional Association", "Joint Regulatory Body", "Joint Licensing Body", "Joint Accreditation Body", "Joint Certification Body", "Joint Standard Body", "Joint Testing Body", "Joint Inspection Body", "Joint Calibration Body", "Joint Metrology Body", "Joint Patent Office", "Joint Trademark Office", "Joint Copyright Office", "Joint Design Office", "Joint Intellectual Property Office", "Joint IP Office", "Joint Data Protection Authority", "Joint Privacy Authority", "Joint Information Commissioner", "Joint Ombudsman", "Joint Auditor General", "Joint Comptroller", "Joint Treasurer", "Joint Accountant General", "Joint Receiver General", "Joint Paymaster General", "Joint Postmaster General", "Joint Surgeon General", "Joint Attorney General", "Joint Solicitor General", "Joint Director of Public Prosecutions", "Joint Crown Prosecutor", "Joint Public Prosecutor", "Joint Prosecutor", "Joint Judge", "Joint Magistrate", "Joint Justice", "Joint Chief Justice", "Joint President", "Joint Vice President", "Joint Prime Minister", "Joint Premier", "Joint Minister", "Joint Secretary of State", "Joint Cabinet", "Joint Council of Ministers", "Joint Executive Council", "Joint Legislative Council", "Joint LegCo", "Joint District Council", "Joint Municipal Council", "Joint City Council", "Joint Town Council", "Joint Parish Council", "Joint Community Council", "Joint Neighbourhood Council", "Joint Village Council", "Joint Rural Council", "Joint Regional Council", "Joint Provincial Council", "Joint State Council", "Joint National Council", "Joint Federal Council", "Joint Confederal Council", "Joint Union Council", "Joint Alliance Council", "Joint Coalition Council", "Joint Council", "Joint Committee", "Joint Board", "Joint Commission", "Joint Authority", "Joint Agency", "Joint Office", "Joint Secretariat", "Joint Administration", "Joint Directorate", "Joint Corporation", "Joint Enterprise", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Institute", "Joint Society", "Joint Association", "Joint Chamber", "Joint Federation", "Joint Union", "Joint Club", "Joint Guild", "Joint Order", "Joint Fraternity", "Joint Brotherhood", "Joint Sisterhood", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Trust", "Joint Fund", "Joint Endowment", "Joint Charity", "Joint Benevolent", "Joint Philanthropic", "Joint Humanitarian", "Joint Relief", "Joint Welfare", "Joint Social", "Joint Community", "Joint Voluntary", "Joint Non-profit", "Joint Not-for-profit", "Joint Non-governmental", "Joint NGO", "Joint International", "Joint World", "Joint Global", "Joint United Nations", "Joint UN", "Joint World Bank", "Joint IMF", "Joint European Union", "Joint EU", "Joint ASEAN", "Joint APEC", "Joint WTO", "Joint OECD", "Joint Red Cross", "Joint Red Crescent", "Joint Rotary", "Joint Lions", "Joint Kiwanis", "Joint Optimist", "Joint Zonta", "Joint Soroptimist", "Joint Toastmasters", "Joint Jaycees", "Joint Junior Chamber", "Joint Chamber of Commerce", "Joint Trade Association", "Joint Industry Association", "Joint Professional Association", "Joint Regulatory Body", "Joint Licensing Body", "Joint Accreditation Body", "Joint Certification Body", "Joint Standard Body", "Joint Testing Body", "Joint Inspection Body", "Joint Calibration Body", "Joint Metrology Body", "Joint Patent Office", "Joint Trademark Office", "Joint Copyright Office", "Joint Design Office", "Joint Intellectual Property Office", "Joint IP Office", "Joint Data Protection Authority", "Joint Privacy Authority", "Joint Information Commissioner", "Joint Ombudsman", "Joint Auditor General", "Joint Comptroller", "Joint Treasurer", "Joint Accountant General", "Joint Receiver General", "Joint Paymaster General", "Joint Postmaster General", "Joint Surgeon General", "Joint Attorney General", "Joint Solicitor General", "Joint Director of Public Prosecutions", "Joint Crown Prosecutor", "Joint Public Prosecutor", "Joint Prosecutor", "Joint Judge", "Joint Magistrate", "Joint Justice", "Joint Chief Justice", "Joint President", "Joint Vice President", "Joint Prime Minister", "Joint Premier", "Joint Minister", "Joint Secretary of State", "Joint Cabinet", "Joint Council of Ministers", "Joint Executive Council", "Joint Legislative Council", "Joint LegCo", "Joint District Council", "Joint Municipal Council", "Joint City Council", "Joint Town Council", "Joint Parish Council", "Joint Community Council", "Joint Neighbourhood Council", "Joint Village Council", "Joint Rural Council", "Joint Regional Council", "Joint Provincial Council", "Joint State Council", "Joint National Council", "Joint Federal Council", "Joint Confederal Council", "Joint Union Council", "Joint Alliance Council", "Joint Coalition Council", "Joint Council", "Joint Committee", "Joint Board", "Joint Commission", "Joint Authority", "Joint Agency", "Joint Office", "Joint Secretariat", "Joint Administration", "Joint Directorate", "Joint Corporation", "Joint Enterprise", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Institute", "Joint Society", "Joint Association", "Joint Chamber", "Joint Federation", "Joint Union", "Joint Club", "Joint Guild", "Joint Order", "Joint Fraternity", "Joint Brotherhood", "Joint Sisterhood", "Joint Foundation", "Joint Trust", "Joint Fund", "Joint Endowment", "Joint Charity", "Joint Benevolent", "Joint Philanthropic", "Joint Humanitarian", "Joint Relief", "Joint Welfare", "Joint Social", "Joint Community", "Joint Voluntary", "Joint Non-profit", "Joint Not-for-profit", "Joint Non-governmental", "Joint NGO", "Joint International", "Joint World", "Joint Global", "Joint United Nations", "Joint UN", "Joint World Bank", "Joint IMF", "Joint European Union", "Joint EU", "Joint ASEAN", "Joint APEC", "Joint WTO", "Joint OECD", "Joint Red Cross", "Joint Red Crescent", "Joint Rotary", "Joint Lions", "Joint Kiwanis", "Joint Optimist", "Joint Zonta", "Joint Soroptimist", "Joint Toastmasters", "Joint Jaycees", "Joint Junior Chamber", "Joint Chamber of Commerce", "Joint Trade Association", "Joint Industry Association", "Joint Professional Association", "Joint Regulatory Body", "Joint Licensing Body", "Joint Accreditation Body", "Joint Certification Body", "Joint Standard Body", "Joint Testing Body", "Joint Inspection Body", "Joint Calibration Body", "Joint Metrology Body", "Joint Patent Office", "Joint Trademark Office", "Joint Copyright Office", "Joint Design Office", "Joint Intellectual Property Office", "Joint IP Office", "Joint Data Protection Authority", "Joint Privacy Authority", "Joint Information Commissioner", "Joint Ombudsman", "Joint Auditor General", "Joint Comptroller", "Joint Treasurer", "Joint Accountant General", "Joint Receiver General", "Joint Paymaster General", "Joint Postmaster General", "Joint Surgeon General", "Joint Attorney General", "Joint Solicitor General", "Joint Director of Public Prosecutions", "Joint Crown Prosecutor", "Joint Public Prosecutor", "Joint Prosecutor", "Joint Judge", "Joint Magistrate", "Joint Justice", "Joint Chief Justice", "Joint President", "Joint Vice President", "Joint Prime Minister", "Joint Premier", "Joint Minister", "Joint Secretary of State", "Joint Cabinet", "Joint Council of Ministers", "Joint Executive Council", "