sensename

Sensename is a term used in theoretical discussions of semantics and branding to refer to a proper name that conveys perceptual or sensory information about its referent beyond ordinary reference. In this usage, a sensename is not only a label but also a cue that evokes sensory associations such as color, texture, sound, or temperature. The concept is often discussed in relation to multimodal meaning, connotation, and consumer perception, where names influence expectation and perception through imagined sensory qualities.

Etymology for sensename is informal and the term is not standardized across or within disciplines. It is typically described as a compound of sense (in the sense of perception) and name, signaling that the name performs an imaginative sensory function in addition to identifying an object, person, or concept. Researchers and practitioners employ the idea in studies of linguistic symbolism, sensory branding, and narrative technique, while critics note that the associations elicited by sensenames can be highly context-dependent and culturally variable.

Examples commonly cited include product or brand names designed to evoke sensory impressions, such as “Velvet” for a textile line, “Breeze” for a cooling device, or “Aurora” for a lighting system. In literature, authors may use sensenames to invest a character or setting with tangible feel or atmosphere, without explicit description.

Because sensename is not a fixed, formal category, its definition and use vary by author. It remains a descriptive label for a class of names that carry perceptual implications beyond denotation.