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.
Primary source: w3.org