"Each property name before colons is an identifier (either a name, a number, or a string literal)"

[whxvd]

MDN URL

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Working_with_objects

What specific section or headline is this issue about?

Using object initializers

What information was incorrect, unhelpful, or incomplete?

The text contains:

Each property name before colons is an identifier (either a name, a number, or a string literal)

That is not correct in at least two ways:

1. In the example preceding the text, not every property name is an identifier, only one is.
2. An identifier is not either a name, a number, or a string literal. In this context, the literals are a certain subset of the strings, and those can be written without "" in this context.

What did you expect to see?

"literal" instead of "identifier" probably would work.

Do you have any supporting links, references, or citations?

No response

Do you have anything more you want to share?

No response

MDN metadata

Page report details

• Folder: en-us/web/javascript/guide/working_with_objects
• MDN URL: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Working_with_objects
• GitHub URL: https://github.com/mdn/content/blob/main/files/en-us/web/javascript/guide/working_with_objects/index.md
• Last commit: 67bcc0f
• Document last modified: 2025-12-17T18:54:16.000Z

[Josh-Cena]

Thanks, it should be the other way:

Each property name before colons is either an identifier, a number, or a string literal.

"Name" describes the semantics; the other three describe the syntax. An "identifier" is not a "literal".

(I wrote "each property name is a name" but then realized it's just tautology)

[Iyeroo]

Hello maintainers,
I would love to work on this issue I would appreciate If it can be assigned to me.

[Josh-Cena]

We don't assign issues. You can send a PR directly.

[zikamtima]

Hi, I'm a student contributor. I'd like to work on this good first issue.
May I be assigned? I'll open a PR shortly. Thanks!

[zikamtima]

@Josh-Cena thank you for the clarification. I'll open a PR shortly.

[Iyeroo]

Hello maintainers,
I raised a PR addressing the above issue waiting for review