A Fictitious Name is any name assumed by an individual or business other than the legal name of the individual or business. If a sole proprietor is doing business under a stylized name other than his or her name or a registered business is using a name different from its legal name, this is a fictitious name. Like most business structures, fictitious names are registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.

A Fictitious Name is also commonly referred to as “Doing Business as (DBA),” “Trading As (T/A),” or “Trade Name.”