How to Choose and Register Your Company Name in Malaysia (2026)

How to Choose and Register Your Company Name in Malaysia (2026)

Before you can register a Sdn Bhd, your chosen company name needs to pass the Companies Commission of Malaysia’s (SSM) review. Many first-time founders are surprised when a name they thought was ordinary gets rejected, because SSM has specific guidelines on prohibited words, words that require third-party approval, and formatting rules that must be followed. This guide explains those rules based on SSM’s official naming guidelines, so you can pick a safe name from the start.

General Formatting Rules for Company Names

SSM only permits five symbols in a name: ampersand (&), full stop (.), hyphen (-) for compound words, brackets (()), and a single apostrophe (‘). Correct spelling and grammar are mandatory, and mixing Malay and English is only allowed to describe the type of business. SSM also discourages overly generic names such as “Beautiful Sdn Bhd” or “International Trading Sdn Bhd” that say nothing about the actual business.

Words That Are Completely Prohibited

Several categories of words are automatically prohibited in a name:

• Words implying royal connections: “Royal”, “King”, “Queen”, “Prince”, “Princess”, “Crown”, “Regent”, “Imperial”
• Words implying government affiliation: “Federal”, “State”, “National”
• References to international bodies: “ASEAN”, “UNESCO”, “NATO”
• Regulated industry words: “Bank”, “Insurance”, “Finance”, “Trust”, “University”, “College”
• “Company”, “Co”, or “Syarikat” are completely prohibited in the main name, since they overlap with the official “Sdn. Bhd.” suffix
• “Corporation”, “Corp”, “Incorporated”, “Inc” are only allowed where there is government interest and ministerial consent

The Registrar also has discretion to reject names that are obscene, contrary to public policy, offensive to any community or religion, or misleading as to the identity, nature, objects, or purposes of the company.

Words That Require Approval From a Relevant Authority

Some words can be used, but only after you obtain a letter of permission from the designated referral authority. Examples include:

• “Architect”: Board of Architects Malaysia
• “Engineer”: Board of Engineers Malaysia
• “Hospital”, “Medical”, or “Pharmacy”: Ministry of Health Malaysia
• “Halal” or “Islam”: JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia)
• “Accountant” or “Auditor”: Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)

How to Check and Register a Company Name via MyCoID

The official process involves the following steps:

1. Check name availability through the MyCoID portal, which can be done separately or at the same time as incorporating a new company
2. Criteria assessment based on Section 26 of the Companies Act 2016, covering whether the name is undesirable, identical to an existing name, or contrary to a ministerial direction
3. Fee payment once the name is confirmed to meet the criteria
4. 30-day reservation period from the date of lodgement, with possible extension at the Registrar’s discretion

If your name is rejected and you wish to appeal the Registrar’s decision or seek an exception for a ministerial-directed prohibited word, the appeal fee is RM300.

How Long Before You Can Reuse a Dissolved Company’s Name

Common Mistakes When Choosing Your Name

The most common mistakes that cause delays or rejections: using symbols that are not permitted (such as exclamation marks or asterisks), forgetting to declare the meaning of non-Malay or non-English words, and choosing an overly generic name that says nothing about the nature of the business. Check the list of restricted words before you start the process so you do not have to repeat it from scratch.

Further Reading

• How to Register a Sdn Bhd Company in Malaysia
• Types of Business Entities in Malaysia: A 101 Guide
• Companies Commission of Malaysia (official site)

How SASCO Can Help

SASCO helps check the availability and suitability of your chosen name before official submission to SSM, so you do not have to repeat the process due to a rejected name. Our company incorporation team also handles the full process, from name checking through to full company registration.

Contact SASCO today to check your chosen company name before applying for official registration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Company Names

How long is an approved name reserved before I need to register the company?

An approved name is reserved for 30 days from the date of lodgement. An extension may be considered at the Registrar’s discretion if you need more time to complete registration.

Can I use the words “Sdn Bhd” or “Bhd” within the main part of my name?

No. “Sdn. Bhd.” or “Bhd.” is the official suffix that must appear at the end of a private company’s name, not as part of the main name itself. It is also disregarded when SSM checks whether your name overlaps with an existing company name.

Why is the word “Company” or “Syarikat” prohibited in my company’s name?

This word is fully prohibited because it duplicates the meaning of the official “Sdn. Bhd.” suffix, which already indicates your private company status. Including it in the main name is considered redundant and misleading.

How long do I need to wait before reusing the name of a dissolved company?

It depends on the method of dissolution: 7 years for a company that was struck off, 2 years for a company dissolved via court order or voluntary winding up, and 12 months for an expired company or business name.

What if my name is rejected because it contains a restricted word?

You can apply for a letter of permission from the relevant referral authority (for example, the Board of Engineers Malaysia for the word “Engineer”) before resubmitting your name application. If the word is ministerial-directed, you can submit an appeal for a fee of RM300.

Can I check company name availability for free?

Yes. Name availability checks can be done for free through the MyCoID portal, either as a standalone check or at the same time as starting the process to incorporate a new company.