# Corporations and Associations (GCA)

## Title 1. General Provisions

### Subtitle 5. Entity Names

#### Section 1-501

In this subtitle, "entity" includes:

(1) A corporation;

(2) A limited liability company;

(3) A limited liability partnership;

(4) A limited partnership;

(5) A limited liability limited partnership;

(6) A professional corporation;

(7) A trade name filer; and

(8) A business trust.

#### Section 1-502

(a)

  (1) The name of a corporation must include one of the following words or an abbreviation of one of the following words:

    (i) "Company", if it is not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and";

    (ii) "Corporation";

    (iii) "Incorporated"; or

    (iv) "Limited".

  (2) If a corporation is a benefit corporation, the name of the benefit corporation must include:

    (i) The words "benefit corporation";

    (ii) "Benefit Corp.";

    (iii) The words "benefit company", if not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and"; or

    (iv) "Benefit Co.", if not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and".

(b)

  (1) The name of a limited liability company must include:

    (i) The words "limited liability company";

    (ii) "L.L.C.";

    (iii) "LLC";

    (iv) "L.C."; or

    (v) "LC".

  (2) If a limited liability company is a benefit limited liability company, the name of the benefit limited liability company must include:

    (i) The words "benefit limited liability company";

    (ii) "Benefit L.L.C.";

    (iii) "Benefit LLC";

    (iv) "Benefit L.C."; or

    (v) "Benefit LC".

(c) The name of a limited liability partnership must include:

  (1) The words "limited liability partnership";

  (2) "L.L.P."; or

  (3) "LLP".

(d) The name of a limited partnership must include:

  (1) The words "limited partnership";

  (2) "L.P."; or

  (3) "LP".

(e) The name of a limited liability limited partnership must include:

  (1) The words "limited liability limited partnership";

  (2) "L.L.L.P."; or

  (3) "LLLP".

(f)

  (1) The corporate name of a professional corporation must include:

    (i) The word "chartered";

    (ii) The abbreviation "chtd.";

    (iii) The words "professional association";

    (iv) The abbreviation "P.A.";

    (v) The words "professional corporation"; or

    (vi) The abbreviation "P.C.".

  (2) A professional corporation need not use any word specified under paragraph (1) of this subsection if:

    (i) The corporation has registered the name to be used in the manner provided in Sec. 1-406 of this title; and

    (ii) The name is the same as its corporate name except for the allowable omissions.

#### Section 1-503

(a) An entity name may not contain language stating or implying that the entity is organized for a purpose other than that allowed by the entity's:

  (1) Articles of incorporation, if the entity is a corporation;

  (2) Articles of organization, if the entity is a limited liability company;

  (3) Certificate of limited liability partnership, if the entity is a limited liability partnership;

  (4) Certificate of limited partnership, if the entity is a limited partnership; or

  (5) Articles of incorporation, if the entity is a professional corporation.

(b) The name of a limited partnership may not contain the name of a limited partner unless:

  (1) It is also the name of a general partner; or

  (2) The business of the limited partnership had been carried on under the name before the admission of that limited partner.

(c) Except for words specified in Sec. 1-502(f) of this subtitle, the name of a professional corporation may not use any other word, abbreviation, affix, or prefix that indicates it is a corporation.

#### Section 1-504

An entity name must be distinguishable upon the records of the Department from:

(1) The entity name of an entity organized or authorized to transact business in the State;

(2) An entity name reserved or registered under this subtitle; and

(3) The disclosed assumed name adopted by a foreign entity authorized to transact business in this State.

#### Section 1-505

(a)

  (1) A person may reserve the exclusive use of an entity name, including a disclosed assumed name for a foreign entity whose entity name is not available, by delivering an application to the Department for filing.

  (2) The application must set forth the name and address of the applicant and the entity name proposed to be reserved.

  (3) If the Department finds that the entity name applied for is available, the Department shall reserve the name for the applicant's exclusive use for a 30-day period.

(b)

  (1) The owner of a reserved entity name may transfer the reservation to another person by delivering to the Department a signed notice of the transfer that states the name and address of the transferee.

  (2) The transferee under this subsection:

    (i) Has the exclusive use of the reserved entity name for a 30-day period starting from the date of the owner's signed notice of the transfer provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and

    (ii) May not transfer the reserved entity name to another person.

#### Section 1-506

(a) A foreign entity may register its entity name or its entity name with any changes required by Sec. 1-502 or Sec. 1-503 of this subtitle, if the name is distinguishable upon the records of the Department as provided in Sec. 1-504 of this subtitle.

(b) A foreign entity shall register its entity name by delivering to the Department for filing an application setting forth its entity name, or its entity name with any changes required by Sec. 1-502 or Sec. 1-503 of this subtitle, the state or country and date of its organization, and a brief description of the nature of the business in which it is engaged.

(c) The name is registered for the applicant's exclusive use upon the effective date of the application.

(d)

  (1) A foreign corporation whose registration is effective may renew it for successive years by delivering to the Department for filing a renewal application, which complies with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, between October 1 and December 31 of the preceding year.

  (2) The renewal application when filed renews the registration for the following calendar year.

#### Section 1-507

An entity name that was recorded, registered, or reserved prior to October 1, 1998, may continue to be used even if the name does not comply with the requirements of this subtitle.

#### Section 1-508

The Department may adopt regulations necessary to implement this subtitle.

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Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)