Metadataname

Metadataname is a term used in metadata management to refer to the label or identifier assigned to a metadata element, record, or schema within a data registry, catalog, or repository. It is not a universal standard term, but a descriptive label that helps users distinguish different metadata items or schemas in a system.

In practice, metadataname is typically stored as a string in a name-value structure, an XML element tag, or a JSON field. The exact meaning of metadataname depends on the context: it may name a metadata field within a record (for example, a field labeled title, creator, or date), or it may designate the metadata schema or profile applied to a resource (such as Dublin Core, MODS, or a custom schema). In a catalog entry, a pair might appear as metadataname = "title" with a corresponding value, or metadataname = "dc:title" indicating the Dublin Core element.

Because metadataname is not tied to a single standard, its interpretation should be guided by a data dictionary, schema, or governance policy specific to the system in use. Clear and consistent naming reduces ambiguity and improves interoperability across systems and users. When designing or adopting a metadataname convention, practitioners typically align it with existing standards, use stable, human-readable identifiers, and consider namespaces to avoid collisions.

See also: metadata, metadata schema, data catalog, Dublin Core, data governance.