This study conducted a literature review on the topic of identifier names in software development. The review primarily examined two types of studies: those exploring the influence of a specific identifier characteristic on a cognitive aspect (such as programmer’s comprehension) and studies that investigated correlations between identifier names and code metrics, such as fault proneness. The analysis encompassed 35 scholarly articles published between 1979 and 2021. The review discusses study themes and topics, experimental design, measures, materials, participants demographics, as well as methodological issues in the current research.