metaname

Metaname is a term used in information science and knowledge organization to denote a label that names or categorizes other names. It describes the kind of name an entity may have, rather than the content of the name itself. The concept helps structure metadata by providing a meta-level descriptor for various name forms.

Definition and scope

A metaname functions as a meta-label attached to a name entry in a data model or authority file. It indicates the role or type of the associated name, such as whether the name is the preferred form, a variant, a historical form, or an alias. Metanames are not the primary names themselves; they are labels that describe the naming context for those names.

Examples

In a library catalog or authority file, an entity might have multiple name forms: an official heading, an alternate spelling, and a historical version. The terms "preferred name," "variant name," and "historic name" act as metanames because they classify the accompanying name forms. Similarly, in a dataset, a field labeled "official title" could be seen as a metaname identifying the primary designation of the resource.

Relation to other concepts

Metanames differ from the names they describe; they are naming labels rather than the content of the names. They are related to metadata practice, authority control, and ontology design, where clear labeling of naming forms improves data interoperability and retrieval.

Limitations

The concept is not universally standardized and may be used informally in modeling discussions. Its applicability depends on the data architecture and governance practices of an organization.

See also: metadata, authority control, ontology, naming conventions, data modeling.