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Names and titles

Accurate and consistent use of names and titles is essential for maintaining clear communication and professional integrity. Properly formatted names and titles of our users help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that all parties are addressed correctly, thereby enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Names and titles

General rules​

Use "First name" and "Last name" in forms and ensure text fields accept names with only one letter.

First name
Last name
Surname
Full name

Use first names to welcome users to applications.

Welcome Susanne

Inclusive titles​

Avoid gendered titles unless absolutely necessary for your application. Use "Title", not "Honorific", to describe words such as Mr. and Mrs. Note that not all cultures have equivalents to some titles used in the United States, such as Ms.

[ Mr. | Ms. | Mx. | None | Other | Prefer not to say]
[ Mr. | Mrs. | Miss | Ms. ]

Title punctuation​

Use full stops for all abbreviated titles in American English.

Mr. Smith
Mr Smith

Use titles with full names or surnames but do not use titles when addressing users with only their first name.

Mrs. Turner
Mrs. Jennifer Turner
Jennifer
Mrs. Jennifer

Use full stops for all abbreviated professional titles in American English.

Dr.
Prof.
Eng.

Corporate titles​

Use capital letters for corporate titles especially with the name and use capital letters for corporate title acronyms.

Chief Financial Officer Teresa Lopez
Teresa Lopez (Chief Financial Officer)
Teresa Lopez (CFO)
chief financial officer Teresa Lopez

Use lower case when titles are used generically (without a name) and separate titles from names with a comma.

The chief financial officer for the company will hold a press conference tomorrow.
The project manager needs to schedule maintenance.
Carol Jones, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, spoke at the press conference yesterday.
Call the Manager.

Always capitalize Managing Board and use lower case for "member".

John Smith is a member of the Managing Board.
John Smith is a member of the managing board.