tentative name

USAGE SUMMARY

'tentative name' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are unsure if something should be referred to by a particular name, for example: We agreed on a tentative name for the project, but will need to discuss it further before deciding on a final title.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Indeed, the tentative name for the Louis Dreyfus group's development proposal is Midtown East.

The New York Times

It said that the tentative name was Al Jazeera America, and seemed to confirm that on Thursday by setting up promotional accounts for the channel on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

The New York Times

Until now there had been only a tentative name, L'Adresse Symphonique, for this hall, which sits on a corner of Place des Arts, this lively city's equivalent of Lincoln Center.

The New York Times

The tentative name for the contest is the Social Bowl, although there is already a Web site by that name that tracks the effectiveness of Super Bowl advertising in building value for brands.

The New York Times

(Caution: Pick 9 is the tentative name of the game. It could morph into another variation of Pick 10 if Mr. Bloomberg finds himself in serious trouble and digs deeper into his pockets).

The New York Times

Eventually, he hopes to see bottled Oregon Public House beers in local stores, with each type of beer dedicated to a specific cause, so that someone buying a six-pack of say, Oregon Public House Education Ale, a tentative name and product, would know the proceeds were going to an education charity supported by the pub.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

No numbering has been made on dark layers deposited before Marine isotope stage (MIS) 6 except by Tada et al. (1992) who made tentative naming of distinct dark layers at ODP Sites 794, 795, and 797.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Potential morphological justification was identified for three of the four major groups, on the basis of which tentative names were assigned.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the other five candidates (DDWMEST-1, - 62, - 84, - 91, and - 100; tentative names) were differentially expressed in W/W V mice (Table 1, Fig. 1), although in some of them full-length cDNA have not been obtained so far.

BMC Gastroenterology

The tentative brand name was at first, but Jun Maeda was not pleased with this and wanted a name that would capture the image of the brand.

Wikipedia

Shortly after we broke the news that Palm was had at work on device to follow the Pre, the details came pouring in: first we got the codename (Pixie), then we got the tentative marketing name (Eos).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative name", clarify the reason for its provisional status and the process for finalizing the name.

Common error

Avoid treating a "tentative name" as final. Always indicate that the name is subject to change, especially in formal communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative name" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an attribute to a subject. It indicates that the name being referred to is not yet final and is subject to change. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative name" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that indicates a provisional or non-final name. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and on platforms like Wikipedia. It serves the purpose of communicating uncertainty or a lack of finality regarding a designation. When using "tentative name", clarify the reason for its provisional status. Remember it's important to manage expectations and clearly indicate that the name is not final, especially in formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provisional title

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the title before a final decision.

working title

Suggests a title used during the development phase of a project.

preliminary designation

Highlights the initial or early stage of naming something.

temporary appellation

Indicates a short-term or transient name.

initial moniker

Focuses on the starting point of the naming process.

proposed title

Suggests a name that is being considered but not yet confirmed.

experimental label

Highlights the exploratory or trial nature of the name.

placeholder name

Indicates that the name is serving as a substitute until a final one is chosen.

subject to change name

Directly states that the name is not final and may be altered.

name under consideration

Emphasizes that the naming process is ongoing and undecided.

FAQs

What does "tentative name" mean?

A "tentative name" indicates a name that is provisional or subject to change. It's a name that is being used temporarily until a final decision is made.

What can I say instead of "tentative name"?

You can use alternatives like "working title", "provisional title", or "preliminary designation" depending on the context.

How do I use "tentative name" in a sentence?

You might say, "The project's "tentative name" is 'Project Phoenix', but we're still brainstorming other options". The phrase is generally used to preface a name that is not yet official.

Is it appropriate to use "tentative name" in formal writing?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to use "tentative name" in formal writing. However, ensure that you clearly indicate that the name is not final and may be subject to change.