Evaluation Criteria for Naming Concepts

We list a series of criteria for what is a good name. These criteria are sometimes conflicting, making the choice of names a difficult and challenging task.

E1

The naming of concepts should be orthogonal. Parallel concepts should have parallel names.

E2

Names should be easy to write, i.e., they should be short or possess a short acronym, should be easily pronounced (the name or its acronym), and should be appropriate for use in subscripts and superscripts.

E3

Already widely accepted names are preferred over new names.

E4

Names should be open-ended in the sense that the name of a concept should not prohibit the invention of a parallel name if a parallel concept is defined.

E5

We have avoided creating homographs and homonyms. Names with an already accepted meaning, e.g., an informal meaning, should not be given an additional meaning.

E6

We have striven to be conservative when naming concepts. No name is better than a bad name.

E7

New names should be consistent with related and already existing and accepted names.

E8

Names should be intuitive.

E9

Names should be precise.