Names
A holding company rarely needs to explain itself. The best names are short, neutral and built to last, so they still fit when the group owns different businesses in ten years. Many sound like a material, a place in nature or a structural part.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Basalt | dense volcanic rock |
| Keystone | the stone that locks an arch together |
| Cairn | a stack of stones that marks the way |
| Rawasi | Arabic: firmly anchored mountains |
| Sanad | Arabic: support, backing |
| Meridian | the line of the highest point of the sun |
| Lodestar | the star used to navigate |
| Halcyon | calm, prosperous times |
| Corbel | the bracket that carries a beam |
| Tessera | one tile of a mosaic |
| Ardent | steady, committed |
Can I put "Holding" in the name?
In the UAE, Holding and Group are only allowed for companies licensed as holding companies or set up as a group, and Capital, Investments or Partners need a licence that covers them. Many founders leave these words out entirely: "Basalt Ltd" says less and is easier to get approved than "Basalt Capital Holding".
Where UAE holdings are set up
- DIFC and ADGM: English common law, popular for family offices and holding structures.
- Free zones such as RAKEZ and IFZA: lower cost holding licences.
- Abroad, through BVI, Cayman, Cyprus or Delaware, depending on where the assets sit.
Check names against the UAE trade name rules. Structure and tax depend on your situation, so take advice before you choose a jurisdiction.
Questions
What is a good name for a holding company?
Short, neutral names that say little about any one business age best, such as a material (Basalt, Granite), a structural part (Keystone, Corbel) or an Arabic word like Rawasi or Sanad.
Can I use 'Holding' in a UAE company name?
Only if the company is licensed as a holding company. Group, Capital, Investments and Partners are restricted in the same way.
Where are holding companies usually set up in the UAE?
DIFC and ADGM are common for family offices and holding structures because of their English common law framework. Some free zones offer lower cost holding licences.
Jurisdictions at a glance
| Jurisdiction | Legal suffix | Domain | Headline corporate tax | Typical setup cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Mainland | LLC, Sole Establishment | .ae | 9% corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 | About AED 11,500–14,000 |
| UAE Free Zone (DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ…) | FZ-LLC, FZCO, FZE, DMCC | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | From about AED 6,000 |
| DIFC (Dubai) | Limited, Ltd | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | About AED 100,000 year one |
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi) | Ltd, Limited | .ae | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on the rest | About US$6,300 |
| Saudi Arabia | LLC | .sa | 20% on foreign-owned profit, 2.5% zakat on Saudi and GCC shares | About SAR 15,000 in fees |
| Qatar (QFC) | LLC | .qa | 10% on locally sourced profit | US$500 application |
| Bahrain | W.L.L., S.P.C. | .bh | No general corporate tax (oil and gas and large multinationals aside) | About BHD 250–450 in fees |
| United Kingdom | Ltd, Limited | .co.uk | 19% to 25% corporation tax | £100 |
| Ireland | Limited, DAC | .ie | 12.5% on trading income | €50 |
| Estonia (e-Residency) | OÜ | .ee | 0% on retained profit, 22% on distributed profit | €265 + e-Residency |
| Netherlands | B.V. | .nl | 19% up to €200,000, then 25.8% | €500–1,500 notary |
| Germany | GmbH, UG (haftungsbeschränkt) | .de | About 30% combined corporate and trade tax | About €600 + capital |
| Cyprus | Ltd, Limited | .com.cy | 15% corporate tax (from 2026) | Low registrar fees |
| USA: Delaware | Inc., LLC, Corp. | .us | 21% federal, no Delaware income tax if you don't operate there | $109–110 |
| USA: Wyoming | LLC | .us | 21% federal, no state income tax | $100 |
| Singapore | Pte. Ltd. | .com.sg | 17% headline, with partial exemptions for new companies | S$315 |
| Hong Kong | Limited | .com.hk | 8.25% on the first HK$2 million, then 16.5% | About HK$3,900 |
| British Virgin Islands | Ltd, Limited, Inc. | .vg | 0% | $550 + agent |
| Cayman Islands | Ltd | .ky | 0% | About $5,000 with a provider |
How to choose a company name that gets approved
- Check the register first: names identical or very close to an existing company are refused.
- Avoid regulated words such as Bank, Insurance, Capital or Trust unless you hold the licence.
- In the Gulf, avoid religious, royal or government terms and place names such as Dubai or Emirates.
- In the UK, sensitive words such as British, Royal, Charity or Institute need prior approval.
- Secure the .com and the country domain on the same day you reserve the name.
The rule checks are a quick screen based on published guidance, not legal advice. The registry has the final say.
Information only. CorpNameCheck does not give tax, legal or company-registration advice. Costs, rules and tax rates are simplified estimates that change over time. Many activities need a licence or regulatory approval, and only the relevant registry or regulator can confirm what applies to you. Check name availability and trademarks with the official bodies before you register or buy a domain. Full disclaimer