So in my case this is very odd. I have 2 individual iTC accounts (don\'t ask why), anyway my old account had this name as an App and then it expired with the name still take
If you created an entry for the first App in iTunesConnect, even if it was never submitted or uploaded, then that name is locked to that iTunesConnect App permanently.
From the Apple App Store Submission Tips
The name you select for your app is perhaps one of the most important aspects to marketing your app and can distinguish your app on the App Store. Here are a few things to keep in mind when naming your app or changing the name of your app.
- Changing the Name of Your App. You can change the name of your existing app only when submitting an update of your app binary. If you submit an app name which is already in use within the same geography in which your app is sold, you will be prompted to enter another name.
More good info here iTunesConnect_DeveloperGuide.pdf.
All the dev forums/docs I can find say the same thing, if you have ever used that App Name before, then that name is locked permanently.