The specific meaning of business name registration is to submit your business name to your state to get it on their registry of business names.

If you are thinking about starting a business but you are not yet sure what legal form you want, and you have a business name, register it. You can always change your mind later, but the registration process will save your name so no one else can use it while you are completing the business organization process.

If you’re forming a sole proprietorship, you should definitely register your business name with the state because sole proprietorships aren’t registered in any other way.