In this blog, we will explore the top 10 company name changes in India and the stories behind them. A company’s name is its identity, representing its values, vision, and market presence. Over the years, many Indian companies have undergone name changes for various reasons, such as mergers, acquisitions, rebranding, or to align with global business goals.
What is the Company Name Change?
Company name change refers to the legal development of changing the registered name of a company. In India, it exists under Section 3 of the Companies Act 2013 and involves several steps to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. A company may change its name for various reasons, such as rebranding, mergers, acquisitions, or to align the name with a change in business objectives or strategy.
- Effect on legal identity: The company’s legal identity, obligations and rights remain intact even after changing the name.
- Trademark considerations: Ensure the new name does not infringe on an existing trademark.
- Notification to stakeholders: inform customers, vendors, banks, and other stakeholders about the name change.
What are the Reasons for Company Name Change?
1. Rebranding: Aligning with a new brand identity or marketing strategy.
2. Business expansion: refers to diversification or entry into new markets.
3. Mergers and Acquisitions: Adopting a name to represent the combined entity.
4. Legal disputes: Avoid conflicts over trademark or copyright issues.
5. Change in objectives: Modifying the name to suit new business activities.
What are the Top 10 Company Name Changes in India?
1. Apple
2. When Backrub became Google
3. Google
4. Nike
5. Accenture emerged from Andersen consulting
6. BlackBerry
7. eBay
8. Meta
9. Pepsi
10. Subway
To Company Name Change Contact Our Expert Legal Adviser
1. Apple
Apple Inc. hasn’t changed the company name as frequently as others, but its most important rebranding happened when it simplified its name. This important rebranding was in line with Apple’s strategy of focusing on innovative, customer-oriented products that have made it one of the most iconic brands in the world today. Let me know if you need more information
Year of Name Change: 2007
Reason:
The company did not want to limit its diversification to computers, as it had also successfully ventured into consumer electronics such as the iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV.
The name change symbolises Apple’s transformation into a broader technology and lifestyle brand.
2. When Backrub Became Google
The transformation of Backrub into Google is a pivotal moment in technology history. Here’s an overview.
Founders: Larry Page and Sergey Brin, PhD students at Stanford University.
Origin: Backrub was founded in 1996 as a research project to analyze website relationships.
Distinguishing feature: It used a system of ranking pages based on the number and quality of links pointing to them, a forerunner of Google’s PageRank algorithm.
Origin of the name: The name “Backrub” refers to the analysis of the web’s “backlinks”.
Key Milestones After Company Name Change
1. September 15, 1997: Google.com is officially registered as a domain name.
2. 1998: Google is formally launched as a company and its first office is set up in a garage in Menlo Park, California.
3. Post-launch impact: Google revolutionized internet search, dominated the market and expanded into various fields such as AI, advertising and hardware.
3. Google
Google Inc. made a significant name change when it restructured its corporate structure. Here’s an overview of the name change.
Year of Name Change: 2015
Reason:
Google reorganised its structure by creating a parent company, Alphabet Inc., to oversee its diverse business segments. While Google continued as the brand for its core search engine, advertising, and related businesses, Alphabet became the holding company for all other ventures, such as Waymo (self-driving cars), Calico (biotech), and Google X (innovative projects).
4. Nike
Nike Inc. began in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, with the name changing significantly to Nike Inc. in 1971. This rebranding played a key role in transforming it into one of the most recognisable sportswear brands globally.
Key Details About the Nike Company Name Change
Original Name: Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS)
Year of Change: 1971
Reason: The company moved from distributing the Japanese Onitsuka Tiger shoes to producing its line of athletic shoes. The name “Nike” was inspired by the Greek goddess of victory, who symbolises athletic triumph.
5. Accenture Emerged from Andersen Consulting
Yes, Accenture was born out of Andersen Consulting, which was formed after a legal and organisational split from its parent company, Arthur Andersen, a renowned auditing and consulting firm. Here is the detailed story.
Andersen Consulting was founded in 1989 as the consulting division of Arthur Andersen.
By the late 1990s, tensions grew between the two entities over revenue-sharing agreements and operational independence.
Andersen Consulting sought autonomy because it felt constrained by Arthur Andersen’s management.
6. BlackBerry
BlackBerry is another notable example of a major company name change that reflects a strategic shift in business focus. Here’s an overview.
Year of Name Change: 2013
Reason: The company rebranded the name from “Research in Motion” to “BlackBerry” to align with its flagship product, the BlackBerry smartphone.
Context:
BlackBerry was once synonymous with enterprise smartphones, known for secure communications and physical keyboards.
The name change was intended to promote brand recognition of “BlackBerry,” which had become more prominent than the parent company’s name.
7. eBay
The name change was intended to promote brand recognition of “BlackBerry,” which had become more prominent than the parent company’s name.
Year: 2017
Reason: eBay sold its India operations to Flipkart in exchange for a stake in the company. Following this deal, eBay India merged with Flipkart to enhance Flipkart’s e-commerce platform.
Rebranding Attempt: eBay India Relaunch (2019)
Year: 2019
Reason: After Walmart acquired Flipkart, eBay spun off Flipkart and launched a new independent platform in India. However, its Attempt to establish itself as an independent e-commerce brand did not yield much success.
8. Meta
Meta Platform, Inc., commonly known as Meta, is the parent company of popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. On October 28, 2021, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the name change from Facebook, Inc. to Meta Platform, Inc.
The name change reflects a strategic shift from being a social media company to a technology company with an emphasis on the metaverse. The metaverse is seen as a virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) space where users can interact, work, and play in immersive digital environments.
9. Pepsi
Pepsi has made notable branding and name changes throughout its history, but the company has not made any formal corporate name changes in India. However, its parent company, PepsiCo, has made significant adjustments globally, such as rebranding products or updating the logo to align with emerging market trends.
Pepsi entered India in the 1980s as “Lehar Pepsi” through a joint venture with Voltas and Punjab Agro due to government regulations in India.
In 1991, following economic liberalization, PepsiCo gained greater control and rebranded as simply “Pepsi,” dropping the word “Wave” from the name.
10. Subway
Subway, the global fast-food chain best known for its customisable sandwiches and salads, has not changed its name. However, it has sometimes been subject to rebranding initiatives to refresh its image. If you are referring to a specific subway-related event or name change, can you give more details?
Alternatively, would you like information on its branding journey, ownership change, or recent developments? Let me know how I can help!
Conclusion
In India, the process of company name change is governed by the Companies Act of 2013, which ensures transparency and legal compliance. Whether driven by market trends, mergers, or repositioning, a successful name change can help a company stay relevant and competitive in a constantly changing business landscape.
Ultimately, a well-executed name change reflects not only a new identity but also a new commitment to growth and innovation.
FAQs
Q1. How do I change the name of an existing company?
Start the process by convening a board meeting, where the directors will decide on the name change and authorize a Director or Company Secretary (CS) to check the new name’s availability with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
Q2. Can a Pvt Ltd company change its name?
Under the Companies Act 2013, any company may change its name by passing a special resolution in a general meeting, with the approval of the Registrar of Companies and the Central Government.
Q3. How do you introduce a company name change?
Changing a company’s name is a significant moment, signifying growth and change. It’s important to approach it positively, clearly stating the old and new names and also explaining the reason for the change. Assure clients and consumers of continued quality, address any product updates, and provide clear steps for future partnerships.
Q4. What is the process of name change?
To legally change name in India, it is necessary to prepare an affidavit, publish an advertisement in a newspaper, and notify the change in the Gazette of India, as well as submit identity proof and relevant documents.
Q5. When does a company change its name?
Company name changes must be reviewed and approved by the SEC’s EDGAR staff, which can take a few days. The updated name will appear on EDGAR only after your next filing.
Q6. What is the legal document for a company name change?
Under Rule 29(2) as per Section 13(3) of the Companies Act, an application for change of name of a company must be filed in Form INC-24 along with the prescribed fee. On acceptance, a fresh certificate of incorporation is issued in Form INC-25 reflecting the updated name.
Q7. Can we change the company name in the current account?
It’s important to make sure your company’s legal agreements and contracts match the official name on public record. To update your bank records, request a name change form.
Q8. What happens when a company changes its name?
When you change your company name it’s important to let the local councils and authorities know too so that their records can be updated. With a new company name, you will need a new and updated set of memorandum & articles of association. Make any changes to your printed business stationery and marketing materials.
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