English, Chinese or both
Company Name Reservation in Hong Kong
Hong Kong allows an English name, a Chinese name, or both — but not a mixture of the two in one name.
GCC business setup specialists
Two names, one company
A Hong Kong company may have an English name, a Chinese name or both. What it may not have is a single name combining English words and Chinese characters. Getting the pairing right at incorporation avoids a later change.
- English and Chinese options checked together
- Restricted words identified before filing
- Trademark implications flagged alongside
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
Black Swan Business Setup Services•Black Swan Business Setup Services•Black Swan Business Setup Services
What gets refused
Common reasons a name is rejected
Most refusals fall into one of these.
| Reason | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Already on the index | An identical name already appears on the Companies Register. |
| Mixed scripts | A single name cannot combine English words and Chinese characters. |
| Restricted words | Words implying government connection or a regulated activity need consent. |
| Offensive or unlawful | Refused outright. |
| Implying a licence you lack | Terms such as bank or insurance require the relevant authorisation. |
| Too similar | Even if not identical, a confusingly similar name can be objected to later. |
Name rules are set by the Companies Registry and applied with discretion. A name that passes incorporation can still be challenged later by a prior rights holder.
How it works
Settling the name
Checked against the index before filing, with alternatives ready.
01
Shortlist and check
Your preferred English and Chinese names checked against the Companies Register index and the restricted word rules.
02
Decide the pairing
Whether you want English only, Chinese only or both, and that the Chinese rendering reads as intended rather than transliterating awkwardly.
03
File
The name filed with incorporation, with alternatives held in reserve.
- Three proposed English names, ranked
- Preferred Chinese name, if wanted
- Any existing brand or trading name
- Any trademark you already hold
- Whether the name must match an overseas parent
- Domain names you have secured
- The intended business activity
- Whether the name implies a regulated activity
- Any name previously refused anywhere
- Whether the name will appear on signage
- Any abbreviation you intend to use
- Markets where the brand is used
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Index check for identical names
- Restricted word check
- Guidance on English and Chinese pairing
- Advice on the Chinese rendering
- Name filed with incorporation
- Alternatives prepared in advance
- Advice on trademark implications
- Name change filings where needed
Not included, quoted separately
- Companies Registry fees, paid at cost
- Trademark searches in other countries
- Trademark registration, quoted separately
- Domain name registration
- Brand or logo design
- Professional Chinese naming or branding
- Disputes with prior rights holders
- Regulated filings, made by the licensed local provider
Verify independently
Official Hong Kong authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Companies RegistryInland Revenue DepartmentImmigration DepartmentMandatory Provident Fund Schemes AuthorityIntellectual Property DepartmentCustoms and Excise Department
Questions
Hong Kong company names — FAQs
Can I have both an English and a Chinese name?
Yes. You may have one, the other or both. What you cannot have is a single name mixing English words and Chinese characters.
Does the name protect my brand?
No. Registration lets you incorporate under that name. Stopping others using it is trademark registration, which is separate.
Is there a reservation process?
Hong Kong does not operate a separate reservation in the way some jurisdictions do; the name is settled at incorporation, so checking first matters.
Can a name be challenged after incorporation?
Yes. A name too similar to an existing one can be objected to, and a direction to change it can follow. The index check reduces that risk.
Can I change the name later?
Yes, by special resolution and filing, with knock-on effects for your Business Registration, bank account and stationery.
Careers
Apply for a role
Tell us which role you are applying for and what you have done that is relevant. If you have UAE or GCC experience, say which jurisdictions and authorities you have worked with.
Connect with us
Request a setup assessment
For founders and business decision-makers considering paid business services. Not for job applications, employment searches or personal visa-only requests.
Talk to a consultant
At Black Swan Business Setup Services, our mission is simple: to empower entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to establish and expand their presence in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and beyond.
© 2026 Black Swan Business Setup Services. All rights reserved.