Let's say I want to start a company named "Panacea" (this is not the actual name I want, just using it as an example).  Say I want to form an LLC and leave open the possibility of switching to a Corporation down the road.<p>From a quick google search, there already exists: "Panacea Pharmaceuticals"
"Panacea-BOCAF" education focused non-profit
"Panacea University"
"Panacea Clinical Research"
"Panacea Consulting Inc"
... probably some others.<p>Assuming that there are not specifically any "Panacea Software LLC"s out there, would I be able to register that name and legally do business with it?<p>What are the rules regarding picking a company name?  Is it legit to append "Software" or "Technologies" to the end of a name if there is already a corporation with that name in some other field?
Ask HN: How unique does a company name need to be?