How to Check If a Name Is Trademarked (Free, Before You Claim It)

You found a great name and the handle is free everywhere. Before you print stickers, check that nobody already owns the name as a trademark for something similar. Losing a handle after a complaint is a lot more painful than picking a different name now.

Why a free handle isn't enough

Platforms hand out usernames first come, first served. Trademarks work differently: they protect a name for certain goods or services, and platforms usually have policies that let a trademark owner claim or report an account using their mark. So "available on Instagram" and "safe to use as a brand" are separate questions.

Free official trademark databases

• United States: the USPTO's Trademark Search, which replaced the older TESS system in 2023.
• European Union and many national offices: TMview searches dozens of offices at once. EUIPO's own eSearch covers EU trade marks.
• United Kingdom: the UK IPO's search for a trade mark service.
• Canada: the Canadian Trademarks Database from CIPO.
• International: WIPO's Global Brand Database collects marks from many countries.

How to search properly

1. Search the exact name, then close spellings and versions with spaces or hyphens.
2. Look at the goods and services listed with each result. A mark for software matters more to a tech brand than one for garden tools.
3. Check whether the mark is live or dead. Dead or abandoned marks are usually less of a worry.
4. Do a plain web search too. In the US, someone using a name in business can have rights even without registering it.

Then check handles and domains

Once the name looks clear, check where it is free. The name checker scans 3,450+ sites and checks common domain endings in one go. Our guides on reserving a username before launch and protecting a brand name on social media cover the claiming part.

FAQ

Is a trademark search the same as clearance?

No. A database search is a first filter. For a real business, a trademark attorney can do a full clearance search and tell you how risky the name is.

Can someone take my handle with a trademark?

Platforms can act on trademark complaints under their own policies, especially when an account confuses people about who runs it. Registering your own mark makes your position stronger.

Does WhatsMyName Apps check trademarks?

No. We check usernames and domains. Use the official databases above for trademarks.

A note on legal advice

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Trademark law differs by country.