In Wisconsin, every cooperative shall use the term "cooperative" or an abbreviation thereof as part of its corporate name or affixed thereto. See §185.94 (4).

In Minnesota, on the other hand, §308A.011 restricts the use of the term cooperative to: " Subdivision 1. Only business subject to this chapter may use term cooperative. (a) A corporation or association organized in this state may not use the term "cooperative" as part of its corporate or business name or title, or to represent itself as a cooperative, unless the corporation or association has complied with and is subject to this chapter or has incorporated under other laws of this state authorizing incorporation of business on a cooperative plan."

So, Wisconsin regulates by requiring the word Cooperative or some abbreviation thereof to be used in the co-op's name. Minnesota regulates the use of the word Cooperative by specifying who cannot use that word in a corporate name.

This varies from state to state.