What are the rules for choosing a company name in Hong Kong (Chinese and English)?
The name can be in English, Chinese or both, but not a mix of English letters and Chinese characters in one name. An English name must end in Limited and a Chinese name in 有限公司. It cannot be identical to an existing name, and certain words need the Registrar's prior approval.
Format
- English name, Chinese name, or one of each. A single name combining English letters and Chinese characters is refused.
- An English name must end with "Limited"; "Ltd" is not accepted. A Chinese name must end with 有限公司.
- Chinese names use traditional characters found in the Kang Xi or Ci Hai dictionary and in the ISO 10646 standard.
What will be refused
- A name identical to one in the Registry's index of company names. Case, spaces, punctuation and accent marks are ignored, and some variants count as the same (for example "and" and "&", or "Hong Kong" and "HK").
- A name the Registrar considers offensive or whose use would be an offence.
- A name previously subject to a change-of-name direction, unless approved.
Words needing prior approval Words such as "trust" and "chamber of commerce" under the Companies (Words and Expressions in Company Names) Order, and anything suggesting a government link, usually need approval or are not approved.
Watch out for
- At registration the Registrar generally does not test whether the name is "too like" another. The Registrar can order a change later after a complaint.
- Trademark conflicts are your own risk; search the Trademark Register.
Legal basis
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.100
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.102
- Companies (Words and Expressions in Company Names) Order (Cap. 622A)
Sources
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- Which business structure should I choose in Hong Kong: sole proprietorship, partnership or limited company?Hong Kong offers sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited companies and, for overseas firms, branch or representative offices. The main trade-off is liability: a sole proprietor or general partner is personally liable without limit, while a limited company's members are liable only up to unpaid share capital.
- How do I set up a sole proprietorship in Hong Kong and what is my liability?Register the business with the Inland Revenue Department's Business Registration Office within one month of starting trading. There is no separate legal entity, so you are personally liable without limit for the business's debts.
- How does a partnership work in Hong Kong, and what is a limited partnership?A partnership is two or more people carrying on business together for profit. In a general partnership each partner can bind the others and all are jointly liable for debts. A limited partnership has at least one general partner with full liability and limited partners liable only up to their contribution.
- What is a private company limited by shares in Hong Kong and why do most businesses choose it?It is a separate legal entity whose shareholders are liable only for any unpaid amount on their shares. It is the most common vehicle in Hong Kong because it protects personal assets and makes ownership easy to transfer, in exchange for statutory filing and record-keeping duties.
- Should an overseas company set up a branch, a representative office or a Hong Kong subsidiary?A branch is the overseas company itself trading in Hong Kong and must register as a non-Hong Kong company within one month. A representative office can only liaise or research, not trade for profit. A subsidiary is a separate Hong Kong company that ring-fences liability.