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[Theme Handbook] Submitting Your Theme to WordPress.org - Missing information on name collision checks #2457
Description
The Submitting Your Theme to WordPress.org page (last updated 16 September 2024) lacks information about theme naming and external name collision checks.
A new theme author might think that checking for a unique name in the WordPress.org directory is enough. However, as the error message states during upload, the system also flags names based on installations outside of WordPress.org. This is not mentioned on the submission page or the "Releasing Your Theme" landing page.
What happened
I searched the WordPress.org theme directory for my theme name before submitting and found 0 results.
I uploaded my theme.
The automated scanner rejected the upload, returning this exact error:
ERROR: "Qalam" currently has 100+ active installations. Please check for name collisions outside of WordPress.org before approval.
I checked online and found the name matched a commercial theme sold on ThemeForest since ~2019.
I renamed my theme, and the second upload passed successfully (Reference: https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/284613).
The Gap
A directory search showing 0 results is not sufficient because, as the error message states, names are also flagged for installations outside of WordPress.org. The handbook does not tell submitters this before they upload, which can lead to an unexpected rejection.
Suggested Solution
I suggest updating the page to advise authors on naming checks before they upload. For example, the page could add a note suggesting that authors search the WordPress.org directory and also do a plain web search for their theme name before submitting.
Activity
github-actions commentedon Aug 6, 2026
Heads up @WordPress/docs-issues-coordinators, we have a new issue open. Time to use 'em labels.
github-actions commentedon Aug 7, 2026
Heads up @kafleg @TeBenachi - the "themes" label was applied to this issue.
kafleg commentedon Sep 9, 2026
Nice suggestion. Would you please write a perfect sentence that we can add? We'll review it and add on the page.
Thank you
softglazee commentedon Sep 9, 2026
Thanks @kafleg. Here is the sentence.
Placement: under Uploading Your Theme, as the first paragraph, before "When you are ready to submit your theme for review...".
If you want the reason spelled out, a second sentence:
For reference, Naming, spelling, and trademarks in the review requirements covers the other naming rules but not this check, so the submission page looks like the right home for it.
Happy to reword if you want it shorter or as a note box.