How to Trademark a Hair Salon or Barbershop Name
Your salon or barbershop name is what clients search, refer, and remember. Here is how to protect it with a federal trademark.
Free Trademark Search →Can you trademark a hair salon or barbershop name?
Yes. A hair salon or barbershop name can be federally trademarked as long as it is distinctive and used in commerce to identify your services. Names that are coined, arbitrary, or suggestive are the strongest and easiest to register, while purely descriptive names (for example, "Downtown Haircuts") are much harder because they simply describe the service or location. A federal registration through the USPTO gives you nationwide rights to the name for salon services — not just the town you operate in — which matters if you plan to open additional locations, franchise, or license the brand. Because U.S. rights are largely first-to-file, registering early protects you before a competitor in another city claims the same name.
Which trademark class covers salon and barbershop services?
Hair salon, barbershop, and beauty styling services fall under International Class 44, the class for beauty care services. If your shop also sells its own branded retail products — shampoos, pomades, or styling tools — those are separate classes: branded hair and grooming products are typically Class 3 (cosmetics), and running a retail store or online shop for products is Class 35. Many single-location salons register only Class 44 for the service name, then add product classes later as they launch a retail line. Each class you add carries its own $350-per-class USPTO fee, and Secure Mark USA's service fee starts from $99, so choosing only the classes you truly need keeps your filing efficient.
How do you register a salon name with the USPTO?
Begin with a clearance search to confirm no confusingly similar salon or barbershop name is already registered in Class 44. Then prepare your application with the exact services you offer and file it — as "use in commerce" if your doors are already open, or "intent to use" if you have signed a lease but have not opened yet, which secures an early filing date. The USPTO assigns an examining attorney, and registration generally takes about 8 to 14 months if there are no refusals. In practical terms, Secure Mark USA handles your Trademark Registration filing with the USPTO to secure your Intellectual Property and lasting Brand Protection. U.S.-domiciled salon owners are not required to hire an attorney to file, while foreign-domiciled applicants must be represented by a U.S.-licensed attorney.
Claim your salon name before a competitor does
With 1,000+ trademarks filed and a 98% success rate, Secure Mark USA makes federal filing simple for salon and barbershop owners.
Start Your RegistrationKey takeaways
- Hair salon and barbershop names are filed in USPTO Class 44 for beauty and grooming services.
- Branded retail products add Class 3 (cosmetics) or Class 35 (retail), each with its own $350-per-class USPTO fee.
- Filing starts from $99 plus the $350-per-class USPTO fee.
- Federal registration protects the name nationwide, which matters for second locations and franchising.
- An "intent to use" filing lets you reserve the name before opening day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a trademark if my salon is registered as an LLC?
Yes, they are different. An LLC registration creates a legal business entity with your state; it does not give you trademark rights to your brand name. Only a trademark protects the name you use with clients, and another salon could still register the same name as a trademark unless you file first.
Can I trademark a salon name that includes my city or a common word?
Geographic and descriptive terms are weak and often refused because they simply describe where or what the business is. You can strengthen the mark by pairing it with a distinctive coined or arbitrary word, and a clearance search will flag whether the overall name is registrable.
Should I trademark before I open my salon?
If you have chosen the name and signed a lease, an intent-to-use application lets you lock in an early filing date before opening day, then confirm use later with a specimen such as signage or a booking page. Filing early is valuable because U.S. rights are largely first-to-file.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Secure Mark USA's service starts from $99 plus the $350-per-class USPTO fee. A single-location salon usually needs only Class 44. Registration typically takes about 8 to 14 months from filing if the USPTO raises no objections.
Is Secure Mark USA a law firm?
No. Secure Mark USA is a private trademark filing service. It is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and is not affiliated with the USPTO or any government agency. It prepares and files your application based on the details you provide.
Helpful resources
Plan your salon filing with these guides: Trademark Registration, Free Trademark Search, USPTO Trademark Classes, Trademark Registration Cost, and Trademark Monitoring.
Ready to protect your salon or barbershop name?
Run a free search and start your federal trademark with Secure Mark USA today.
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