Can You Use Symbols in Company Names? Essential Guide to CIPC Name Rules (2025)
If you're wondering whether symbols are allowed in South African company names, this guide will walk you through what the Companies Act permits and what the CIPC currently enforces.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute 50 seconds
Section 11(1)(a) of the Companies Act sets the legal foundation for what may be included in a company name. According to this section, you can use:
Letters (A–Z, a–z)
Numbers (0–9)
Punctuation marks
Select symbols: +, &, #, %, =
Round brackets used in pairs ( )
Additionally, the Act mentions that other symbols may be allowed if approved by the Minister, allowing for some future flexibility.
However, several characters and accents are not allowed, including:
Accented characters like: à, á, â, ä, ǎ, æ, ã, å, ā
Uppercase accented versions: À, Á, Â, Ä, Ǎ, Æ, Ã, Å, Ā
Certain punctuation and special characters, such as: !##$%^&()_+=-{}[]:;"'|\/?.,><~`
The intention behind these guidelines is to maintain clear, readable, and universally acceptable company names.
In 2014, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) introduced a moratorium on the use of symbols in company name reservations. This temporary measure aimed to address limitations in the CIPC’s systems regarding symbol handling.
Although the moratorium was set to expire on 30 April 2014, the CIPC subsequently announced that they would continue to reject name reservations containing symbols. This decision was likely due to ongoing system constraints or other administrative considerations.
If you're planning to reserve a company name, it's essential to note that symbols, while technically allowed by the Companies Act, are not currently accepted in practice by the CIPC. To avoid delays or rejections, it's best to:
Avoid using symbols in your company name.
Stick to letters, numbers, and punctuation marks that are explicitly permitted.
Consider using word equivalents for symbols (e.g., “and” instead of “&”).
The CIPC has indicated that they are working on system updates to integrate symbol handling capabilities. Once these systems are operational, the public will be informed about any changes to name reservation policies.
For now, staying compliant with the current restrictions is the best approach to ensure a smooth name reservation process.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute 50 seconds
What does the Companies Act Permit?
Section 11(1)(a) of the Companies Act sets the legal foundation for what may be included in a company name. According to this section, you can use:
Letters (A–Z, a–z)
Numbers (0–9)
Punctuation marks
Select symbols: +, &, #, %, =
Round brackets used in pairs ( )
Additionally, the Act mentions that other symbols may be allowed if approved by the Minister, allowing for some future flexibility.
Prohibited Characters
However, several characters and accents are not allowed, including:
Accented characters like: à, á, â, ä, ǎ, æ, ã, å, ā
Uppercase accented versions: À, Á, Â, Ä, Ǎ, Æ, Ã, Å, Ā
Certain punctuation and special characters, such as: !##$%^&()_+=-{}[]:;"'|\/?.,><~`
The intention behind these guidelines is to maintain clear, readable, and universally acceptable company names.
The CIPC Moratorium on Symbol Use
In 2014, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) introduced a moratorium on the use of symbols in company name reservations. This temporary measure aimed to address limitations in the CIPC’s systems regarding symbol handling.
Although the moratorium was set to expire on 30 April 2014, the CIPC subsequently announced that they would continue to reject name reservations containing symbols. This decision was likely due to ongoing system constraints or other administrative considerations.
What This Means for You
If you're planning to reserve a company name, it's essential to note that symbols, while technically allowed by the Companies Act, are not currently accepted in practice by the CIPC. To avoid delays or rejections, it's best to:
Avoid using symbols in your company name.
Stick to letters, numbers, and punctuation marks that are explicitly permitted.
Consider using word equivalents for symbols (e.g., “and” instead of “&”).
Moving Forward
The CIPC has indicated that they are working on system updates to integrate symbol handling capabilities. Once these systems are operational, the public will be informed about any changes to name reservation policies.
For now, staying compliant with the current restrictions is the best approach to ensure a smooth name reservation process.
Updated on: 22/04/2025
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