Company Names in Turkey: Overview
Every Turkish company must have a unique trade name (ticaret unvanı) that identifies it in the commercial registry and all official documents. The trade name is distinct from your trademark — registering your company name does not automatically protect your brand as a trademark.
Turkish company names are governed by:
- Turkish Commercial Code (TCC) Articles 39–52
- Trade Registry Regulation (Ticaret Sicili Yönetmeliği)
- MERSIS system (Merkezi Sicil Kayıt Sistemi) — the online system where names are checked and reserved
Name Structure Requirements
Type Suffix
Every Turkish company name must include the correct legal suffix for its company type:
| Company Type | Required Suffix |
|---|---|
| Limited Liability Company | ”Limited Şirketi” or “Ltd. Şti.” |
| Joint Stock Company | ”Anonim Şirketi” or “A.Ş.” |
| Collective Company | ”Kollektif Şirketi” or full type name |
| Commandite Company | ”Komandit Şirketi” or full type name |
| Cooperative | ”Kooperatifi” |
Example: “Deniz Yazılım ve Teknoloji Limited Şirketi” or “Deniz Yazılım ve Teknoloji Ltd. Şti.”
Name Content Requirements
Under TCC Article 43:
- The name must contain at least one Turkish word that distinguishes the company from others in the same field (or indicates the business activity)
- The name must not be misleading about the nature of the business or suggest activities the company is not authorized to conduct
- The name must be distinct from all other registered trade names
Turkish word requirement: Foreign investors often use a combination of their brand name plus a Turkish descriptor. For example: “Alpha Danışmanlık Ltd. Şti.” (Alpha Consulting Ltd.) — here “Danışmanlık” is the Turkish word. Alternatively, a Turkish word relating to the business sector satisfies this requirement.
Prohibited and Restricted Words
Prohibited Words
Certain words cannot be used in company names without authorization:
- “Türk,” “Türkiye,” “Millî,” “Cumhuriyet,” “Atatürk” — require specific governmental authorization
- Words implying a government or public institution (e.g., “devlet” = state, “belediye” = municipality)
- Words implying an international or supranational body without appropriate authorization
Restricted Words
Some words require ministerial or regulatory authorization:
| Word/Category | Authorization Required From |
|---|---|
| ”Bank,” “Banka” | Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) |
| “Sigorta” (Insurance) | Treasury |
| ”Finans” (Finance) | BDDK (in some contexts) |
| “Üniversite” (University) | Council of Higher Education (YÖK) |
| “Borsa” (Stock Exchange) | Capital Markets Board (SPK) |
| “Vakıf” (Foundation) | Specific foundation registration |
Using restricted words without authorization will result in the Trade Registry rejecting your application.
Step 1: Check Name Availability via MERSIS
All company name searches and pre-reservations are conducted through MERSIS (mersis.gtb.gov.tr — Central Registry System):
- Go to MERSIS portal and create or log in with an account
- Navigate to name search (ticaret unvanı sorgulama)
- Enter your proposed name and check for conflicts
- MERSIS will show registered names that conflict with your proposed name
The system searches for exact matches and similar names. The Trade Registry also conducts its own assessment — MERSIS availability does not guarantee final acceptance.
Uniqueness Standard
The same or a highly similar name to any existing registered Turkish company in the same sector cannot be used. Names are compared based on:
- Visual and phonetic similarity
- Same field of activity
- Geographic proximity (national uniqueness applies in most cases)
Step 2: Reserve the Name (Pre-Registration in MERSIS)
When you submit your company pre-registration in MERSIS, you enter your proposed name. MERSIS assigns a pre-registration number (başvuru numarası), which effectively reserves the name during the formation process.
The name is formally registered once the Trade Registry completes the formation filing.
Step 3: Use in All Official Documents
Once registered, the company must use its full registered trade name on:
- All invoices (fatura)
- All contracts
- Correspondence and emails
- Website and social media
- Signage at the registered office
Abbreviations (e.g., “Ltd. Şti.” instead of “Limited Şirketi”) are permitted in most contexts.
Changing the Company Name
To change a registered trade name, the shareholders/partners must:
- Pass a resolution to change the name (general assembly resolution for JSCs; partner resolution for LLCs)
- Amend the articles of association to reflect the new name
- File the amendment with the Trade Registry
- Publication in the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette
The amendment fee at the Trade Registry applies. Tax office, bank, and counterparties must also be notified of the name change.
Trade Name vs. Trademark: Key Difference
| Feature | Trade Name | Trademark |
|---|---|---|
| Where registered | Trade Registry (MERSIS) | TÜRKPATENT |
| Protection scope | Identifies company as a legal entity | Protects brand on goods/services |
| Geographic scope | National (Turkey only) | National or international (Madrid System) |
| Duration | Lasts as long as company exists | 10 years, renewable |
| Automatic protection | Within Trade Registry database | Only after TÜRKPATENT registration |
Critical insight for foreign investors: Registering your company name with the Trade Registry does not protect your brand as a trademark. Competitors can register your company name as their trademark if you do not separately register it with TÜRKPATENT.
Best practice: Register both the company name in the Trade Registry AND the brand/logo as a trademark with TÜRKPATENT simultaneously. See our Trademark Registration guide.
Domain Name Registration
Company name registration and trademark registration do not automatically secure domain names. Register your .com.tr domain (through a Turkish registrar accredited by ICANN/NIC.TR) and .com domain as soon as possible. .com.tr domains require a Turkish trade registry certificate or trademark for registration.
Practical Tips for Foreign Investors
- Choose a memorable, pronounceable Turkish name — names that blend the brand with a Turkish descriptor work well (e.g., “BrandName Teknoloji Ltd. Şti.”)
- Check social media availability in addition to MERSIS — secure brand accounts on Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms alongside company formation
- Engage a formation agent to handle name checks and pre-registration in MERSIS — errors can delay the process
- Register trademark early — trademark applications take 7–15 months; start the process at the same time as company formation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my company name be entirely in English? No. Turkish Commercial Code requires that at least one Turkish word be included in the company name that either describes the activity or distinguishes the company. A name that is entirely in a foreign language without a Turkish element will be rejected.
Can two companies in different sectors have the same name? Possibly — the uniqueness requirement is applied within the same sector and geographic area. However, for practical brand protection, avoid names already used by any well-known company in Turkey. Trademark registration provides broader protection than trade name registration.
Is the MERSIS name search a guarantee that the name will be accepted? No. MERSIS searches provide a preliminary check, but the Trade Registry conducts its own review. Names that pass the MERSIS search can still be rejected by the registrar if they are considered similar to an existing name or violate naming rules.
How long does it take to confirm a company name? Name confirmation occurs during the Trade Registry filing process, which is part of the overall company formation (5–10 business days). MERSIS pre-registration effectively reserves the name during the formation process.