# Check if an artist name is taken
Source: https://docs.aden.space/docs/help/free-tools/artist-name-check

See whether a name is already used by artists or trademarked for music, and whether its social handles are free.
Check a name before you release under it. The [Artist name check](https://tools.aden.space/name) is free and needs no account.

## Check a name [#check-a-name]

1. Open the [Artist name check](https://tools.aden.space/name).
2. Type the name in **Artist name** and press Enter, or **Check name**.
3. Read the answer at the top: **Taken in music**, **Trademarked for music**, **Free, some handles taken** or **Looks free**.

## What each part tells you [#what-each-part-tells-you]

* **In music**: how many artists release under exactly that name on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer, with a link to the first. Capitals, accents, spaces and punctuation don't count, so "Daft Punk" and "DAFT-PUNK" are the same name.
* **EU trademarks**: live trademarks for the name on the EU register. Marks for recordings or performing are the ones that matter for an artist. Others show as outside music.
* **Handles**: the handle your name makes (lowercase, no spaces or accents) and whether it's **Taken** or **Free** on TikTok, YouTube, X, SoundCloud, Twitch, Mixcloud and Linktree. **Taken** links to the profile.

Instagram is listed first with **Check yourself**, because it can't be read without signing in. The row opens the profile so you can look. The same button shows when a platform didn't let us check.

To share a check, copy the page's address. It keeps the name.

<Callout>
  "Free" means no public profile has the handle today. A platform can still hold names of deleted or banned accounts. Threads, Facebook and Bandcamp can't be checked.
</Callout>

## Related [#related]

* [Find a song's ISRC](/docs/help/free-tools/isrc-lookup)