Since ITIL (Version 5) was announced at the start of 2026, much has been written and said about the latest version of the service management best practice guidance. However, in my opinion, one area, more than others, has caused significant debate – the name. Is it ITIL (Version 5), ITIL v5, or ITIL 5?
This article presents the results of a LinkedIn poll I ran in H1 2026 on what people are currently calling this new version of ITIL.
What Should We Call the Latest Version of ITIL? ITIL 5?
While the official name is simply “ITIL,” the new incarnation is officially called ITIL (Version 5) to distinguish it from previous versions, and variants such as ITIL v5 and ITIL 5 were popular from the outset.
It has been interesting to see the nomenclature differences, and while the official PeopleCert marketing view is that it’s ITIL (Version 5) – as you’ll see on the PeopleCert books and training collateral, and in what we’ve written to date – the outside world is often using the variants more. Or at least it appeared that way – so I thought I’d “test the water.”
What is ITIL (Version 5)?
Before I look at the name, if you want to learn more about ITIL (Version 5), here are five ITSM.tools posts that will help:
- ITIL (Version 5) Explained: What’s New, What’s Changed, and Why It Matters (March)
- ITIL (Version 5) Changes Explained: 20 Important Changes from ITIL 4 (March)
- ITIL (Version 5) Guiding Principles: A Practical Guide for ITSM Leaders (April)
- ITIL Version 5 Management Practices Explained: Complete List and Definitions (February)
- ITIL (Version 5): What’s Known about ITIL Version 5 (February)
The first published ITSM.tools article even stated, “ITIL (Version 5) – or ITIL v5 or ITIL 5 as people will no doubt shorten it to.”
However, as you can see, at the time these articles were published, we were keen to follow the official ITIL (Version 5) branding.
The LinkedIn Poll: What Do People Call the Latest Version of ITIL?
It wasn’t anything scientific, just a simple LinkedIn poll in June 2026 that asked:
What do you call the latest version of ITIL?
The possible poll responses were:
- ITIL 5
- ITIL v5
- ITIL (Version 5)
- ITIL.
As I stated in a comment below the post, I nearly added an “Other” option, but then realized that it might encourage “abuse.”
The ITIL name poll quickly drew responses, but interest soon waned, probably due to the LinkedIn algorithm.
The ITIL Name Poll Results – ITIL 5 “Wins”
For the 92 poll respondents, the votes were cast as follows:
- ITIL 5 = 41%
- ITIL v5 = 26%
- ITIL (Version 5) = 22%
- ITIL = 9%.
No doubt there was some bias caused by the ordering of the poll, with the percentages perhaps a little different if I’d inverted the choices.
However, the preferred name – ITIL (Version 5) – only received 22% of the votes. Beaten by both ITIL 5 and ITIL v5.
Why Are People Using Different ITIL 5 Names?
In many ways, the move away from ITIL (Version 5) is unsurprising, because we (as people) often want things to be as easy as possible. When typing, there are quite a few extra keystrokes in ITIL (Version 5). When talking, it’s hard to articulate the brackets in ITIL (Version 5).
If you’ve ever seen a presentation where a slide shows formal paths and the worn grass where people actually walk, you’ll get that we all love to take shortcuts when possible. Just look at all the acronyms we use in IT (itself an acronym that we often forget is an acronym)!
I believe history has a part to play, too. I first came across ITIL v2 twenty-plus years ago. Then we had ITIL v3 (later refreshed as ITIL 2011, which became ITIL v3 (2011 Edition)). Then ITIL 4. So we’re all used to ITIL names that are either a “v” or just a number, like ITIL 5. It’s what we’ve all used for twenty-five years. It’s a gross generalization, but we are usually “creatures of habit.”
Will the ITSM Community Ever Adopt ITIL (Version 5)?
Will ITIL (Version 5) officially change? Personally, I don’t think it will. It’s a big ask now that publications and training courses are “hitting the streets.”
“Will people use the ITIL (Version 5) name?” is probably a better question. Judging by the poll data and my interactions with others, ITIL 5 and ITIL v5 have already won. The IT service management (ITSM) community looks to have made up its mind.
ITIL 5 FAQs
The official name is ITIL (Version 5). However, many IT professionals and organizations commonly refer to it as ITIL 5 or ITIL v5 because these names are shorter and easier to say and write.
PeopleCert officially brands the latest guidance as ITIL (Version 5). This naming appears on official publications, training materials, and certification resources.
According to a LinkedIn poll featured in this article, ITIL 5 was the most popular name among respondents, followed by ITIL v5. The official name, ITIL (Version 5), ranked third.
Many people naturally shorten product names to make them quicker to type and easier to say. The ITSM community has also become accustomed to names such as ITIL v2, ITIL v3, and ITIL 4, making ITIL 5 and ITIL v5 feel like natural progressions.
No. All three names refer to the same version of the ITIL framework. The difference is purely one of naming, not of functionality or content.
The poll was designed to determine which name ITSM professionals naturally use for the latest version of ITIL. It highlights the difference between official branding and everyday industry terminology.
Among the 92 respondents:
ITIL 5 received 41% of the votes.
ITIL v5 received 26%.
ITIL (Version 5) received 22%.
ITIL received 9%.
The results suggest that shorter names are currently preferred by much of the ITSM community.
There is no indication that the official branding will change. PeopleCert continues to use ITIL (Version 5) across its official publications, certifications, and training materials. However, the name is simply ITIL beyond the need to differentiate the new version.
If you’re writing formally or referencing official documentation, ITIL (Version 5) is the safest choice. However, using ITIL 5 or ITIL v5 can better align with how many IT professionals search for and discuss the framework online.
It can. Because many users naturally search for “ITIL 5” or “ITIL v5,” including these terms alongside the official name can improve search visibility while still reflecting the correct branding.
ITSM.tools offers a range of articles covering ITIL (Version 5), including its new features, changes from ITIL 4, updated guiding principles, and management practices to help IT professionals understand the latest guidance.
Naming affects how easily people discover information online, communicate with colleagues, and reference the framework in presentations, documentation, and training. Understanding both the official terminology and the names commonly used by practitioners helps improve communication across the ITSM community.
Stephen Mann
Principal Analyst and Content Director at the ITSM-focused industry analyst firm ITSM.tools. Also an independent IT and IT service management marketing content creator, and a frequent blogger, writer, and presenter on the challenges and opportunities for IT service management professionals.
Previously held positions in IT research and analysis (at IT industry analyst firms Ovum and Forrester and the UK Post Office), IT service management consultancy, enterprise IT service desk and IT service management, IT asset management, innovation and creativity facilitation, project management, finance consultancy, internal audit, and product marketing for a SaaS IT service management technology vendor.
