Before you can incorporate, your proposed company name must be approved by ACRA, so the first step is a name availability check and application through ACRA's Bizfile portal. The name application fee is S$15, and once approved the name is reserved for 120 days, within which you must complete the incorporation. If you do not, the reservation expires and the name is released for anyone else to register.
A name will be rejected if it is identical to an existing entity name, too similar to a well-known name, or considered undesirable. Names containing controlled words – such as 'bank', 'finance', 'school' or 'media' – may be referred to the relevant government authority for approval, which can add time.
It is worth doing a quick self-check first: search the ACRA register for similar existing names, and consider whether the name could clash with a registered trademark, since trademark rights are separate from company-name approval. Having one or two alternatives ready avoids delay if your first choice is unavailable.
Apexia can run the name check, handle the name application, and reserve and incorporate your company in one smooth process.