To search the USPTO’s trademark database, go to TESS and choose a search option. If you are searching for a name, you can use the trademark name search. If you are searching a design mark, such as a logo, you will first need to look up your design code using the USPTO’s Design Search Code Manual.

What’s your given name?

A given name (also known as a first name or forename) is the part of a personal name that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a family or clan) who have a common surname.

How do I make sure my brand name isn’t taken?

Use the USPTO’s free trademark database. To start, go to the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Business Center at and choose “Search.” Then follow the instructions you see on the screen.

Which is the best method for name matching?

These methods reduce names to a key or code based on their English pronunciation, such that similar sounding names share the same key. A well-known common key method is Soundex, patented in 1918. For example, Cyndi, Canada, Candy, Canty, Chant, Condie share the code C530.

How are name matching algorithms used in business?

Develops a statistical algorithm by training thousands of paired names to calculate the similarity score between two names. Turns each word into a numerical vector based on its semantic meaning and calculates the similarity of two words in a multidimensional space. Commonly used for organization names.

How does Metaphone work to identify similar names?

These methods use phonetic algorithms which turn similar sounding names into the same key, thus identifying similar names. Metaphone expands on Soundex with a wider set of English pronunciation rules and allowing for varying lengths of keys, whereas Soundex uses a fixed-length key.