Starting a Company in Israel? Avoid This Common Naming Mistake
Starting a new business in Israel is exciting — but before you can even open a bank account, you’ll need to register your company. And one of the first hurdles? Choosing a name that the Israeli Registrar of Companies will accept.
Common Pitfall: Rejected Company Names
It’s more common than you think. Founders spend time and energy coming up with a great company name, only to have it rejected by the Registrar. That’s not just frustrating; it delays the registration process and forces you back to the drawing board.
Israeli law doesn’t allow new companies to register under a name that might confuse the public or be similar to an existing business. Even small variations — like changing the spelling slightly or switching the word order — might not be enough to get it approved.
A Helpful Tool: The Registrar’s Name Search Engine
Luckily, there’s a relatively new tool that can save you time and guesswork. The Israeli Registrar of Companies’ name search engine. This online tool allows you to search the names of existing companies and assess how similar your desired name is to those already registered.
You can access it here:
Search Company Names – Israeli Registrar of Companies (Hebrew)
It’s in Hebrew, but fairly intuitive. It’s a great way to do some quick homework before suggesting potential company names to your lawyer or accountant.
Pro Tip: Come Prepared with 3 Solid Options
Most legal professionals will ask you to provide three possible company names when incorporating. Using the search engine in advance gives you a better shot at having one of them approved quickly — and helps avoid unnecessary delays in launching your business.
Thinking of starting a company in Israel? I’d be happy to help you navigate the incorporation process — including picking a name that works.
Contact me to set up a quick consultation.
