Have a company name, but no protection

[Max James]

So I've got a great idea for a company name that I'd like to put on business cards, use on a website I'll be creating, use as my signature in emails, the whole nine yards. I've even got someone lined up to do the artwork behind the logo I have in mind. The thing is, I don't have an LLC or anything to protect that name.

Can I still use the name and stand behind it even though I don't have anything legally filed?