Accessible name
The accessible name is the text a screen reader announces for an interactive element. It is computed from a defined cascade: `aria-labelledby` → `aria-label` → native label (`<label>`, `alt`, `<title>`) → text content.
Detailed explanation
WCAG 2.1 SC 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value) at Level A requires every UI control to have an accessible name. The name must be unique enough that a user can identify the control from a list. "Click here" repeated 30 times on a page fails 4.1.2 even though every link technically has a name.
WCAG 2.1 SC 2.5.3 (Label in Name) at Level A additionally requires that the visible label text appear at the start of the accessible name — so voice-control users can say the visible text and have the right control activate.
How this applies to Shopify stores
Shopify themes commonly fail accessible-name on icon-only buttons (cart, search, account), social icons, and image-only links. AccessComply's alt-text and aria-label agents fill these in, sourcing the label from product data, link text, or merchant input.
What merchants should check next
Treat this term as a practical audit prompt, not just a definition. Check the storefront pages where the concept shows up in real customer journeys: product discovery, add-to-cart, cart drawer, checkout handoff, account login, and support contact flows. If the issue affects code, verify the rendered HTML and computed browser output after the theme change. If it affects copy or media, keep the merchant-facing wording accurate and easy to maintain.
Primary source: w3.org