Guidelines for Creating Field Names

Create a unique, descriptive name that is meaningful to the entire organization.

Create a name that accurately, clearly, and unambiguously identifies the characteristic a field represents.

Use the minimum number of words necessary to convey the meaning of the characteristic the field represents.

Do not use acronyms, and use abbreviations judiciously.

Do not use words that could confuse the meaning of the field name.

Do not use names that implicitly or explicitly identify more than one characteristic.

Use the singular form of the name.