In this subtitle, "entity" includes: (1) A corporation; (2) A limited liability company; (3) A limited liability partnership; (4) A limited partnership; (5) A limited liability limited partnership; (6) A professional corporation; (7) A trade name filer; and (8) A business trust. §1-502. IN EFFECT (a) (1) The name of a corporation must include one of the following words or an abbreviation of one of the following words: (i) "Company", if it is not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and"; (ii) "Corporation"; (iii) "Incorporated"; or (iv) "Limited". (2) If a corporation is a benefit corporation, the name of the benefit corporation must include: (i) The words "benefit corporation"; (ii) "Benefit Corp."; (iii) The words "benefit company", if not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and"; or (iv) "Benefit Co.", if not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and". (b) (1) The name of a limited liability company must include: (i) The words "limited liability company"; (ii) "L.L.C."; (iii) "LLC"; (iv) "L.C."; or (v) "LC". (2) If a limited liability company is a benefit limited liability company, the name of the benefit limited liability company must include: (i) The words "benefit limited liability company"; (ii) "Benefit L.L.C."; (iii) "Benefit LLC"; (iv) "Benefit L.C."; or (v) "Benefit LC". (c) The name of a limited liability partnership must include: (1) The words "limited liability partnership"; (2) "L.L.P."; or (3) "LLP". (d) The name of a limited partnership must include: (1) The words "limited partnership"; (2) "L.P."; or (3) "LP". (e) The name of a limited liability limited partnership must include: (1) The words "limited liability limited partnership"; (2) "L.L.L.P."; or (3) "LLLP". (f) (1) The corporate name of a professional corporation must include: (i) The word "chartered"; (ii) The abbreviation "chtd."; (iii) The words "professional association"; (iv) The abbreviation "P.A."; (v) The words "professional corporation"; or (vi) The abbreviation "P.C.". (2) A professional corporation need not use any word specified under paragraph (1) of this subsection if: (i) The corporation has registered the name to be used in the manner provided in § 1-406 of this title; and (ii) The name is the same as its corporate name except for the allowable omissions. §1-502. ** TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2026 PER CHAPTERS 198 AND 199 OF 2025 ** (a) (1) The name of a corporation must include one of the following words or an abbreviation of one of the following words: (i) "Company", if it is not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and"; (ii) "Corporation"; (iii) "Incorporated"; or (iv) "Limited". (2) If a corporation is a benefit corporation, the name of the benefit corporation must include: (i) The words "benefit corporation"; (ii) "Benefit Corp."; (iii) The words "benefit company", if not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and"; or (iv) "Benefit Co.", if not preceded by the word "and" or a symbol for the word "and". (b) (1) The name of a limited liability company must include: (i) The words "limited liability company"; (ii) "L.L.C."; (iii) "LLC"; (iv) "L.C."; or (v) "LC". (2) If a limited liability company is a benefit limited liability company, the name of the benefit limited liability company must include: (i) The words "benefit limited liability company"; (ii) "Benefit L.L.C."; (iii) "Benefit LLC"; (iv) "Benefit L.C."; or (v) "Benefit LC". (c) The name of a limited liability partnership must include: (1) The words "limited liability partnership"; (2) "L.L.P."; or (3) "LLP". (d) The name of a limited partnership must include: (1) The words "limited partnership"; (2) "L.P."; or (3) "LP". (e) The name of a limited liability limited partnership must include: (1) The words "limited liability limited partnership"; (2) "L.L.L.P."; or (3) "LLLP". (f) (1) The corporate name of a professional corporation must include: (i) The word "chartered"; (ii) The abbreviation "chtd."; (iii) The words "professional association"; (iv) The abbreviation "P.A."; (v) The words "professional corporation"; or (vi) The abbreviation "P.C.". (2) A professional corporation need not use any word specified under paragraph (1) of this subsection if: (i) The corporation has registered the name to be used in the manner provided in § 1-406 of this title; and (ii) The name is the same as its corporate name except for the allowable omissions. (g) The name of a limited worker cooperative association must include: (1) The words "limited worker cooperative association"; (2) L.W.C.A.; or (3) LWCA. §1-503. IN EFFECT (a) An entity name may not contain language stating or implying that the entity is organized for a purpose other than that allowed by the entity's: (1) Articles of incorporation, if the entity is a corporation; (2) Articles of organization, if the entity is a limited liability company; (3) Certificate of limited liability partnership, if the entity is a limited liability partnership; (4) Certificate of limited partnership, if the entity is a limited partnership; or (5) Articles of incorporation, if the entity is a professional corporation. (b) The name of a limited partnership may not contain the name of a limited partner unless: (1) It is also the name of a general partner; or (2) The business of the limited partnership had been carried on under the name before the admission of that limited partner. (c) Except for words specified in § 1-502(f) of this subtitle, the name of a professional corporation may not use any other word, abbreviation, affix, or prefix that indicates it is a corporation. §1-503. ** TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2026 PER CHAPTERS 198 AND 199 OF 2025 ** (a) An entity name may not contain language stating or implying that the entity is organized for a purpose other than that allowed by the entity's: (1) Articles of incorporation, if the entity is a corporation; (2) Articles of organization, if the entity is a limited liability company or limited worker cooperative association; (3) Certificate of limited liability partnership, if the entity is a limited liability partnership; (4) Certificate of limited partnership, if the entity is a limited partnership; or (5) Articles of incorporation, if the entity is a professional corporation. (b) The name of a limited partnership may not contain the name of a limited partner unless: (1) It is also the name of a general partner; or (2) The business of the limited partnership had been carried on under the name before the admission of that limited partner. (c) Except for words specified in § 1-502(f) of this subtitle, the name of a professional corporation may not use any other word, abbreviation, affix, or prefix that indicates it is a corporation.
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