Anisha Riggs
Whether or not perfume names should be italicized depends on the stylistic guidelines being followed. For example, a French typographical rule states that luxury brand names should be italicized, whereas in English, trademarked brand names are capitalized but not italicized. In MLA style, product and company names are not italicized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| French typographical rule | Luxury or high-end brand names (perfume, jewelry, haute couture creations) should be italicized |
| English language rule | No such rule exists |
| MLA style | Trademarked brand names are capitalized but not italicized |
| Product names | Not italicized. Using boldface or capitalization is preferred |
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What You'll Learn
French typographical rules state that luxury brand names should be italicized
This rule is not standard in American English, where brand names are typically not italicized. For example, in American English, one would not italicize the name of a car brand, such as "Porsche." Instead, the focus is on italicizing trademarked or registered trademarked brands, which can be indicated by using (tm) or (r) after the brand name in Roman type.
The MLA style, often used in academic writing, also does not require the italicization of brand names. Style guides, such as the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing, do not specifically mention the italicization of brand names, and publications following this style do not italicize or put quotation marks around brand names like "Ralph Lauren."
While French typographical rules may suggest italicizing luxury brand names, it is important to consider the context and the style guide being used. The perception of a brand as high-end or luxurious can vary, and different languages and writing styles have their own conventions for handling brand names. Ultimately, the decision to italicize a brand name may depend on the specific style guide being followed or the personal preference of the writer or publication.
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In English, trademarked brand names are capitalized but not italicized
In English, the general rule is that trademarked brand names are capitalized but not italicized. For example, it is standard practice to write "I bought a bottle of Chanel No. 5" without italicizing the perfume's name. This differs from French typographical rules, which state that luxury or high-end brand names, such as those of perfumes, jewelry, and haute couture creations, should be italicized.
However, it is important to note that different style guides may have varying conventions for handling brand names. For instance, the Chicago Manual of Style recommends capitalizing brand names to indicate that they are proper nouns, even when they appear midsentence. On the other hand, the MLA style guide does not specify any particular formatting for brand names, neither requiring italicization nor quotation marks.
When in doubt, it is advisable to consult a style guide or the trademark information provided by the brand or company on its website. Additionally, some brand names are designed for lowercase usage, such as "innocent smoothies," and should be treated accordingly.
It is worth mentioning that some trademarked brand names have become so common that they have drifted into generic usage and are now written in lowercase. For example, "refrigerator" was initially a trademarked product from Frigidaire, but it has since become a generic term for any appliance used to store food at a low temperature. Similarly, "google" can be used as a lowercase verb to refer to searching the internet, regardless of the specific search engine used.
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Product names are not normally italicized
There is no standard rule that product names should be italicized. In fact, sources suggest that product names are not normally italicized. For example, in a discussion on the use of italics in MLA-style papers, one source mentions that MLA neither italicizes nor puts quotation marks around product names like "The Fitness Fragrance" or company names like "Ralph Lauren". Instead, it is more common to use boldface or capital letters to distinguish product names.
In another discussion, a user seeking advice on whether to italicize product names in their resume is advised that product names are not normally italicized. The user is instead advised to use boldface or to capitalize the first word of the product name. However, it is noted that using boldface may create too much emphasis and contrast with other bolded sections of a document.
In a similar vein, another source advises that there is no reason to italicize the name of a brand, social network, or restaurant. Instead, it is sufficient to use capital letters to establish what the named item is in context. For instance, "We picked up an apple at the store" versus "We picked up a Mac at the store". In this case, the capital "M" in "Mac" establishes that "Mac" refers to a computer rather than a fruit.
While product names are generally not italicized, there may be exceptions depending on the style guide being used. For instance, in fiction writing, it is generally not necessary to italicize company names. However, if a company name is fictional and not a real word, italicizing it can make it clearer to the reader that it is a name and not a typo. Additionally, according to a French typographical rule, luxury or high-end brand names, such as those associated with perfume, jewelry, or haute couture, should be italicized to liken them to artistic creations. However, this rule does not seem to be commonly followed in English.
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In MLA style, brand names are not italicized
In the MLA style of writing, brand names are not italicized. This includes brand names of perfumes. While some people may argue that high-end or luxury brand names should be italicized, this is not an accepted rule in English. Instead, trademarked brand names should be capitalized but not italicized. For example, it is correct to write "Chanel No. 5" or "I bought a new bottle of Chanel No. 5." without using italics.
The MLA style is one of many style guides that provide guidance on writing and formatting. While some style guides may disagree with each other, it is important to pick one and be consistent. In the case of the MLA style, there is no clear rule on italicizing brand names. However, some sources suggest that trademarked brand names should be capitalized but not italicized. This is supported by the MLA Style Center, which states that trademarked brand names like "Band-Aid," "Kleenex," and "Xerox" should be capitalized but not italicized.
Additionally, the MLA Style Center notes that when a trademarked brand name is used as a verb, it should be lowercased. For example, one would write, "I xeroxed the report for my supervisor." Similarly, when a brand name has entered the language as a common noun, it is styled in lowercase without italics. For example, "We discarded the items in the dumpster."
It is worth noting that some style guides may have different recommendations for italicizing brand names. However, in the absence of a ruling authority, it is generally recommended to pick a style guide and be consistent.
To summarize, when writing in MLA style, brand names, including perfume names, should not be italicized. Instead, trademarked brand names should be capitalized, and when used as a verb or a common noun, they should be lowercased without italics.
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Italicizing product names can draw attention to them
While there is no standard rule for italicizing product names in English, doing so can serve the specific purpose of drawing attention to them. Italicizing product names is not a common practice in the language, and opinions vary across different style guides. For instance, the MLA style guide does not italicize product names.
However, in certain contexts, such as when writing a resume or cover letter, italicizing product names can be a deliberate stylistic choice to highlight or distinguish them. This is especially true if the product name is not commonly known or if you want to ensure it stands out among other elements on the page.
In some cases, using italics for product names can be subjective and depend on personal preference or the style guide being followed. For example, a French typographical rule dictates that luxury or high-end brand names, such as those in perfume, jewelry, or haute couture, should be italicized to liken them to artistic creations. However, this rule does not seem to be widely adopted in English, and opinions vary among writers and publishers.
Ultimately, the decision to italicize product names rests with the writer or publisher and the specific context and style guide being followed. While italicizing can be a useful tool to draw attention to product names, it should be used judiciously to avoid creating a distraction or giving the impression that the product name is being singled out for special emphasis.
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Frequently asked questions
No, product names are not normally italicized in English.
Yes, a French typographical rule states that luxury or high-end brand names should be italicized.
Always check the dictionary, which lists many brand names.
Trademarked brand names include Band-Aid, Kleenex, and Xerox.
