Your trade name is the first thing MOICT reviews — and the first thing that gets rejected if it breaks Bahrain's naming rules. This guide covers every rule, the exact reservation process, common rejection reasons with real examples, and how to protect your registered name.
What Is a Trade Name in Bahrain?
In practical terms, your trade name is the identity that appears on your Commercial Registration certificate, your corporate letterheads, signage, invoices, contracts, and all government correspondence. It is not the same as a trademark — though the two can overlap. The trade name identifies the business entity itself, while a trademark identifies the goods or services the business offers.
Under Article 2 of the Trade Names Law, every person or entity holding a commercial registration in Bahrain must have a trade name that distinguishes their business from others. The name can be an innovative or creative word, the owner's personal name or surname, a description of the business activity, or a combination of these elements. Once registered, the trade name receives legal protection under Bahraini law — meaning no other business can use an identical or confusingly similar name for the same type of trade.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce maintains the official Register of Trade Names, which records every registered name, its owner, address, any transfers, mortgages, or restrictions placed on the name, and all certificates issued. This register is accessible through the Sijilat portal for public verification.
The 10 Naming Rules That MOICT Enforces
Understanding these rules before you submit your name reservation saves 1–2 weeks of back-and-forth. Here is every rule with an explanation and example:
1 The name must be unique and not already registered
No proposed name can duplicate or closely resemble a name already on the Sijilat register for the same or a similar type of trade. Even slight variations (adding "The" or "Group") may be rejected if they cause public confusion.
2 The name must be innovative, not generic
A name consisting only of a common word describing the trade activity — without any distinguishing creative element — will be rejected. You cannot register "Restaurant" or "Mechanical Workshop" as a standalone name.
3 No political, military, or religious content
Names containing political party references, military terminology, religious titles, or sectarian language are prohibited. This includes words that imply government affiliation or official authority.
4 No resemblance to international organisations
Names that resemble or incorporate the emblems, insignia, or names of regional, Arab, or international organisations — including humanitarian bodies like the Red Crescent or Red Cross — are prohibited.
5 No resemblance to charitable or social organisations
Names that could be confused with local, regional, or international social or charitable organisations are rejected. This prevents businesses from trading on the goodwill of non-profit entities.
6 No implication of official government status
A name that would lead the public to believe its owner holds an official capacity or enjoys special government care or patronage is prohibited. Words like "National," "Federal," "Ministry," or "Authority" in a commercial context trigger this rule.
7 No copies of internationally known brands
Names that duplicate, imitate, or translate a well-known brand — whether for the same activity or any other activity — are prohibited. This applies even if the international brand does not have a Bahrain registration.
8 No use of another person's registered trademark
If a word or phrase is already registered as a trademark in Bahrain under Law No. 11 of 2006, you cannot incorporate it into your trade name without the trademark owner's consent.
9 Must not breach public order or morals
Names containing offensive language, vulgar terms, or content that conflicts with Bahraini social values and public morality are rejected outright. This includes names with double meanings that could be considered inappropriate.
10 Must not conflict with restricted-use names
Certain words are legally restricted to specific entities by Bahraini legislation. For example, "Bank" and "Insurance" are reserved for entities licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. Using these words without the relevant license results in automatic rejection.
Arabic Language Requirements for Business Names
This is the rule most foreign investors underestimate. Even if your business operates entirely in English and serves an international clientele, MOICT requires an Arabic version of the name as the primary registration. The English version is secondary and optional from a legal standpoint.
How the Arabic Translation Works
When you submit your four proposed names through Sijilat, each must include both the Arabic and English versions. MOICT accepts two types of translations: literal translation (direct word-for-word rendering into Arabic) and corresponding meaning (the Arabic version conveys the same concept without being a direct word-for-word translation). For creative or invented brand names, the Arabic version is typically a transliteration — the English sounds rendered in Arabic script.
Examples of Accepted Translations
Literal: "Golden Gate Trading" → "بوابة الذهب للتجارة" (direct translation of each word)
Corresponding meaning: "Bright Path Consulting" → "المسار المضيء للاستشارات" (captures the concept)
Transliteration: "Pixelora Technologies" → "بكسيلورا للتكنولوجيا" (Arabic script of English sounds)
If the Arabic and English names are inconsistent or if MOICT considers the Arabic version misleading relative to the English name, the reservation will be rejected. Working with a native Arabic speaker during name selection is strongly recommended — our team prepares both versions to ensure consistency before submission.
How to Check Name Availability on Sijilat
Navigate to the Sijilat portal and use the "Business Search" function. Enter the key distinctive word from your proposed name — not the full legal name with suffix. For example, if you want "Horizon" as your brand, search "Horizon" and review all results. Check whether any existing registration uses the same word for a similar activity type.
Keep in mind that the public search only shows currently active registrations. Names that were deleted from the register within the last three years may still be blocked under Article 13 of the Trade Names Law — only the original owner can re-register a deleted name during this cooling-off period. After three years, the name becomes available to anyone.
What the Search Results Tell You
The Sijilat search returns the company's registered name (Arabic and English), CR number, registration status, entity type, and business activities. If you see a company with a similar name but in a completely different activity sector, your name may still be accepted — MOICT evaluates whether the similarity would cause "confusion for the public" within the same trade category.
How to Reserve a Business Name on Sijilat — Step by Step
Prepare Four Name Options
Bahrain allows four proposed names ranked by preference. Each name must include the Arabic version and the English version. Each name must include the correct legal suffix for your entity type (W.L.L., S.P.C., etc.). Run each name through the Sijilat public search before submitting to eliminate obvious conflicts early.
Log into Sijilat with Your Advanced eKey
Access sijilat.bh using your advanced eKey credentials. If you are outside Bahrain, an authorized representative with a valid Power of Attorney can submit the reservation on your behalf using their own eKey. The eKey is issued by the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA).
Submit the Name Reservation Request
Navigate to the "Start" section of Sijilat and select the name reservation service. Enter all four proposed names in order of preference. The system validates basic formatting and checks for obvious duplicates in real time. Submit the request and pay the reservation fee.
MOICT Reviews and Decides (3–5 Business Days)
The Registration Directorate at MOICT reviews each name against Articles 4 and 5 of the Trade Names Law. Under Article 7, MOICT must decide within 10 working days — in practice, most decisions come within 3–5 days. If your first-choice name is rejected, MOICT moves to your second choice, and so on. You receive notification via Sijilat and email.
Reservation Confirmed — 60-Day Window
Once approved, the name is reserved in your favour for 60 days. During this period, no other applicant can register the same name. Use this window to complete the remaining registration steps — office address, MOA/AOA preparation, and capital deposit. Once the CR is active, you can proceed with employee work permits and annual CR renewal obligations. If 60 days pass without completing the CR registration, the reservation lapses automatically.
Legal Suffixes by Entity Type
| Entity Type | English Suffix | Arabic Suffix | When Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Limited Liability Company | W.L.L. | ذ.م.م. | Most foreign investors, SMEs, 1–50 shareholders |
| Single Person Company | S.P.C. | ش.ش.و. | Solo entrepreneurs, single-owner entities |
| Bahraini Shareholding (Closed) | B.S.C. (c) | ش.م.ب. (مقفلة) | Larger private corporations |
| Bahraini Shareholding (Public) | B.S.C. | ش.م.ب. | Public companies, IPO-track entities |
| Foreign Branch Office | — Branch of a Foreign Company | — فرع شركة أجنبية | International companies establishing presence |
| Partnership Company | & Partners / Partnership | وشركاه | Professional services, joint ventures |
| Individual Establishment | Est. (optional) | مؤسسة فردية | Bahraini/GCC sole traders |
The legal suffix is not optional — it is a mandatory part of the registered name. When preparing your four proposed names, include the correct suffix in both the Arabic and English versions. For WLL companies, the Commercial Companies Law specifically requires the phrase "With Limited Liability" (or its abbreviation W.L.L.) to appear after the commercial name. If a foreign branch uses its parent company name, it must append "Branch of a Foreign Company" to the existing name.
8 Common Rejection Reasons — Why Names Get Refused
| # | Rejection Reason | How Often | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name already registered for similar activity | Very common | Search Sijilat before submitting |
| 2 | Name is purely generic (no creative element) | Common | Add a distinctive word before the activity description |
| 3 | Arabic translation missing or inconsistent | Common | Prepare Arabic version with native speaker before submission |
| 4 | Contains restricted word (Bank, Insurance, etc.) | Occasional | Avoid industry-regulated terms unless you hold the relevant license |
| 5 | Imitates international brand or trademark | Occasional | Search global trademark databases before finalizing |
| 6 | Legal suffix missing or wrong entity type | Occasional | Match suffix to your chosen legal structure exactly |
| 7 | Implies government or official status | Rare | Avoid words like National, Ministry, Authority, Federal |
| 8 | Contains political, military, or religious content | Rare | Keep names commercially neutral |
If all four proposed names are rejected, MOICT notifies you with the specific reasons for each rejection. You can submit a new set of four names immediately. If you believe the rejection is incorrect, Article 7 of the Trade Names Law grants you 30 days to file a grievance with the Minister — and if that is rejected, you can appeal to the competent court within a further 30 days.
How to Change a Registered Business Name in Bahrain
Business owners change their trade names for several reasons — rebranding, expanding into new activity sectors where the original name no longer fits, resolving trademark disputes, or correcting Arabic translation issues discovered after initial registration.
The Name Change Process
Log into Sijilat with your advanced eKey, navigate to the "Manage" section, and select the CR amendment service. Choose "Change Commercial Name" as the amendment type. Submit four proposed new names following the same rules as initial registration. MOICT reviews within 3–5 business days. Once approved, the updated CR certificate is generated automatically.
After the name change, you must update all business documents: MOA and AOA must be amended through a Board Resolution, signboards at your physical location must be changed within 30 days (Article 14 of the Trade Names Law), bank accounts must be updated with the new CR certificate, and all existing contracts should reference the new name. Your CR number remains the same — only the commercial name field changes. For a full list of amendment and registration services, see our services directory.
Can You Transfer a Trade Name?
Yes — Article 10 of the Trade Names Law permits the transfer, assignment, mortgage, or attachment of a trade name independently from the business itself. A trade name can be sold, inherited, or pledged as collateral. The transfer must be recorded in the Register and published on the MOICT website and in an Arabic daily newspaper to take effect against third parties.
Name Protection and Trademark Registration
Trade name protection and trademark protection serve different purposes and operate under different laws. Your trade name protects the business identity within your specific trade category. A trademark protects logos, brand names, slogans, and visual identifiers across all commercial categories you register for.
When to Register a Trademark
If you intend to build a recognizable brand in Bahrain, trademark registration is essential. It prevents other businesses in any sector — not just your own — from using your brand name or logo. Trademark registration also strengthens your position in domain name disputes and provides additional legal remedies beyond what the Trade Names Law offers.
The trademark registration process runs through the Intellectual Property Directorate at MOICT. Applications are examined, published for opposition, and if no objections are raised within the opposition period, the trademark is registered and protected for 10 years (renewable). This is a separate process from your CR and trade name registration.
What Happens When a Trade Name Is Struck Off
Under Article 11, MOICT can strike off a trade name if it was registered in violation of the law, if the owner has not conducted business activities for three consecutive years, or upon a court order. Once struck off, the owner must remove all signage and advertising within 30 days. The name remains blocked for three years — only the original owner can re-register it during that period. After three years, any person can apply to register the struck-off name.
Need Help Choosing a Compliant Name?
We prepare all four name options with Arabic translations, run them through Sijilat availability checks, and submit the reservation — so your first attempt passes. Send us your preferred name idea and we will handle the rest.
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