LegalName

A company’s LegalName is a core data point in any business database. It uniquely and officially identifies a company in the commercial and administrative registers of each country. Below we explain what it is, why it matters, and the specific formats used in different countries.

What is it?

The LegalName is the official and legally registered name of a company, recorded with the relevant public authorities. It is the name under which the company signs contracts, files taxes, and appears in legal documentation.

It should not be confused with the trade name or brand, which is used for marketing and communication purposes. While a company may operate under multiple brands, it has only one unique LegalName.

What is it for?

For data teams and B2B sales teams, the LegalName is essential to:

  • Avoid confusion: Many companies may share similar trade names, but their LegalName is unique.
  • Validate customers or suppliers: It enables verification against official registers and reduces errors in sales and billing processes.
  • Enrich CRM and databases: Ensures data accuracy and alignment with official sources.
  • Personalise commercial strategies: Correct company identification improves segmentation and sales campaign performance.

In short, having the correct LegalName improves data quality and helps teams sell more effectively using reliable information.

Formats by country

Each country has its own company registration system and conventions for LegalNames. Below are the most common formats in Spain, France, Italy, and Mexico:

  • Spain:
    • The LegalName includes the corporate name registered with the Mercantile Registry.
    • Example: Empresa Ejemplo S.L., Negocios Innovadores S.A.
    • The suffix indicates the legal form: S.L. (Sociedad Limitada), S.A. (Sociedad Anónima), etc.
  • France:
    • Registered with INSEE and the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS).
    • Example: Société Exemplar SARL, Groupe Industriel SA.
    • Common suffixes include SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) and SA (Société Anonyme).
  • Italy:
    • Registered in the Registro delle Imprese managed by the Chambers of Commerce.
    • Example: Innovazione SRL, Industria Alfa SPA.
    • Legal suffixes include SRL (Società a Responsabilità Limitata) and SPA (Società per Azioni).
  • Mexico:
    • Registered with the Secretaría de Economía and the Registro Público de Comercio.
    • Example: Soluciones Empresariales S.A. de C.V., Comercializadora Beta S. de R.L. de C.V.
    • Common suffixes include S.A. de C.V. (Sociedad Anónima de Capital Variable) and S. de R.L. de C.V. (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada de Capital Variable).

These formats allow companies to be validated and ensure consistency with official sources in each country.