trade namen.
Reviewed by Owen Hathaway, AttorneyUpdated September 18, 2026A name a business operates under that differs from its legal name, commonly called a DBA. It's a registration, not a separate entity, and provides no liability protection.
A trade name (often called a DBA, for doing business as) is a name under which a person or entity conducts business that differs from its legal name. Registering a trade name lets a business brand itself and open accounts under that name.
A trade name is only a name registration; it is not a separate legal entity and provides no liability protection. The underlying owner, whether an individual, LLC, or corporation, remains the responsible party.
Registration of a trade name may create some intellectual property rights in the name, but the rights are fairly weak without additional steps being taken.
Colorado registers trade names through the Secretary of State (C.R.S. Title 7, Article 71). Wyoming registers trade names through its Secretary of State (Wyo. Stat. Title 40, Ch. 2). Registration in one state does not grant trademark rights or rights in the other.
Related terms
- limited liability companyA business structure that shields its owners' personal assets from the company's debts and lawsuits, while staying simpler and more flexible to run than a corporation.
- registered agentThe person or company an entity designates to receive legal papers and official state notices at a physical in-state address.