How should you choose your company name in Morocco in 2026?
To choose your company name in Morocco, opt for a distinctive name, accompanied by the legal form (SARL, SARL AU, SAS or SA), without any prohibited or regulated term, and not liable to be confused with an existing company name or trademark. Its availability is then confirmed by a negative certificate (certificat négatif) from OMPIC (Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property, Office Marocain de la Propriété Industrielle et Commerciale), at 232.76 MAD online. Also think about the language, the domain name and a future trademark filing: the name is at once a legal obligation, a legal identity and a commercial asset.
The essentials
In shortYour company name must be distinctive, compliant with Moroccan regulations and available with OMPIC. It is accompanied by the legal form (SARL, SARL AU, SAS or SA) and must not be liable to be confused with an existing company name or trademark. Its availability is confirmed by a negative certificate (232.76 MAD online, valid for 90 days). Follow a structured process to avoid obstacles during the formation.
the information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute personalized legal advice. We recommend that you consult a qualified legal expert before making any decision. Charikaty provides experts to support you: contact us for free advice.
What legal rules govern a company name in Morocco?
Under the Commercial Code (Code de commerce, Law 15-95), Law 5-96 (SARL and SARL AU), Law 17-95 amended by Law 19-20 (SA) and Law 5-96 as amended and supplemented by Law 19-20 (SAS), your company name (dénomination sociale) must meet strict criteria:
1. Distinctiveness and uniqueness
Your name must be distinct and sufficiently different from all names already entered in the central commercial register (registre central du commerce) kept by OMPIC. This means:
- No name identical to an existing company name
- No similarity liable to cause confusion (even if the spelling varies slightly)
- No use of a trademark already registered with OMPIC (Law 17-97)
💡 Practical tip: Consult OMPIC's public databases (company names and trademarks) free of charge before becoming attached to a name; our method to check that a company name is available before reserving it details this search.
2. Compliance with public order and morality
The negative certificate provided for by Article 74 of the Commercial Code is refused for the following names:
❌ Prohibited:
- Terms suggesting a public service or a State institution without authorization
- Words contrary to morality or public order
- Terms reserved for regulated activities without the corresponding approval ("bank" within the meaning of the banking law, "insurance" within the meaning of the Insurance Code [Code des assurances])
- Expressions that are misleading as to the nature of your activity
If your activity itself falls within a regulated sector, check the authorizations and approvals required to operate before using the corresponding term in your name.
3. Statement of the legal form
Your company name must be preceded or followed by the statement of the chosen legal form:
- SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée)
- SARL AU (SARL with a sole partner)
- SA (Société Anonyme)
- SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée)
On deeds and documents intended for third parties (invoices, contracts, letters), the company name is accompanied by the legal form and the amount of the share capital (capital social).
Valid example: "TechSolutions SARL" or "Maroc Consulting SA"
4. Language and spelling
The company name is entered as it appears on the negative certificate and in the articles of association. Choose a name that is readable and pronounceable in French and in Arabic; if you also use an Arabic version, keep the same spelling on all your documents.
How do you choose your company name in 5 steps?
Step 1: Identify your business sector
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is the main corporate purpose (objet social) of your company?
- What services or products will you offer?
- Who is your target clientele?
The name must reflect or be compatible with your sector.
Step 2: Creative brainstorming
Generate at least 10 to 15 potential names using these strategies:
| Strategy | Example | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Descriptive | Maroc Services Audit SARL | Clear, SEO-friendly |
| Acronym | MSA SARL | Short, memorable |
| Founder | Alami & Associés SARL | Personal, professional |
| Geographic | Casablanca Tech SAS | Local roots |
| Distinctive generic | Horizon Consulting SARL | Creative, memorable |
Step 3: Filter according to the legal criteria
For each candidate name, check:
✅ Legal checklist:
- Is it accompanied by the legal form?
- Does it use only alphanumeric characters (accents allowed)?
- Does it comply with legal restrictions and public order?
- Does it avoid any reference to a public authority?
- Is it readable and pronounceable in French and in Arabic?
Step 4: Test availability with OMPIC
Consult OMPIC's databases on the OMPIC website and check, for each candidate name, similar company names and trademarks. Before any registration procedure, availability is confirmed by an OMPIC negative certificate, which costs 232.76 MAD online, is generally issued within 24 to 48 hours and remains valid for 90 days, the period within which the company must be registered in the Commercial Register (Registre du Commerce, RC).
With Charikaty, we check the availability of your name and obtain the negative certificate for you.
Step 5: Validate and register
Once availability is confirmed:
- Use exactly the company name shown on the negative certificate in your company articles of association (statuts)
- File the registration application with the commercial court registry (greffe du tribunal de commerce) within 90 days
- Use the same spelling on all your documents and registers
What strategic criteria should you consider for the name?
For your brand image
A good name must be:
- Memorable: Easy to remember and pronounce
- Professional: Suited to your business sector
- Distinctive: Stands out from the competition
- Scalable: Able to evolve with your company
For online search visibility (SEO)
💡 Digital tip: If possible, include a keyword related to your sector (e.g. "Consulting", "Services", "Tech") to improve your online visibility.
For web domain availability
Before finalizing, check:
- The availability of the .ma domain (registry managed by the ANRT, registration through an accredited provider)
- The .com domain and other secondary extensions
- The absence of conflicts on social networks
For trademark protection
The negative certificate reserves the company name, not the trademark (marque): see what the negative certificate does and does not protect against a trademark. If the name will be used as a commercial sign (logo, shop sign [enseigne], products), check that it is available as a trademark and plan a trademark filing with OMPIC, protected for 10 years, renewable (Law 17-97).
What mistakes should you avoid when choosing your company name?
❌ Common mistakes:
- Choosing a name without checking availability → Result: refusal by OMPIC, additional delay
- Forgetting the mandatory legal form → Result: request for correction
- Selecting a name too similar to a well-known trademark → Result: opposition or infringement action by the owner (Law 17-97)
- Ignoring restrictions on public or regulated terms → Result: refusal by OMPIC
- Letting the negative certificate expire → Result: new paid application, the name may have been taken in the meantime
- Not thinking about future growth → Result: costly name change after a few years
What checklist should you follow to choose your name?
📋 Useful documents:
- Negative certificate application form (OMPIC) and copy of the applicant's identity document
- OMPIC public databases (registered company names and registered trademarks)
- Nice Classification (45 classes) with a view to a future trademark filing
📌 Summary of steps:
- Identify your activity
- Generate 10 to 15 candidate names
- Filter according to the legal criteria
- Apply for a negative certificate (232.76 MAD online, valid for 90 days)
- Finalize the articles of association and register the company
How does Charikaty help you choose and secure your name?
To choose and secure your name, here is what you need: candidate names that comply with the law, a search in OMPIC's databases, then a negative certificate; with Charikaty, you do everything online. Charikaty supports you in choosing your name and throughout the formation of your company, as permitted by Law No. 88-17: availability check, OMPIC negative certificate, electronically signed articles of association and filing with the commercial court registry.
Discover our online SARL formation service, from the name check to registration. More than 250 companies have already been set up with Charikaty.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my first name or surname alone as the company name?
Yes. The law allows the name of one or more partners to be incorporated into the company name, always accompanied by the legal form ("Alami SARL"). A distinctive element is still advisable to avoid a refusal for similarity with a company name already entered in the register.
What is the maximum length of a company name?
There is no legal limit on the length of a company name. Opt for a short, readable name: it makes it easier to remember, to fill in administrative forms and to choose a domain name.
Must the name be the same in French and in Arabic?
The company's name is entered as it appears on the negative certificate and in the articles of association. If you use an Arabic version, keep the same spelling on all your documents.
Can I change my company name after registration?
Yes, but changing the name of a registered company has a cost: new negative certificate, partners' decision amending the articles of association, filing with the registry and publication in a legal announcements newspaper (journal d'annonces légales) and in the Official Bulletin (Bulletin officiel). It is better to choose carefully before formation.
Should I include the acronym or just the full company name?
The full company name is mandatory. The acronym (sigle) is optional; it may appear in the company name, be registered as a shop sign or be filed as a trademark with OMPIC.
Will a generic name (e.g. "Commerce Maroc SARL") be accepted?
A company name made up only of generic terms risks being refused. Add a distinctive element to create a unique identity.
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