A New South Wales parliamentary inquiry has recommended against allowing Upper House members to call themselves "State Senators", with the proposal being labelled a "vanity project".

Christian Democrat Reverend Fred Nile has long been pushing for members of the Legislative Council to be authorised to use the title "State Senator" interchangeably with "the Honourable".

Under his 2015 State Senate Bill, the Upper House would also take on the title "State Senate".

Mr Nile, who is the longest serving member of the Legislative Council, argues the changes are needed because he has encountered confusion and a lack of understanding about his role when travelling in the United States.

"Around the globe the term State Senator is a more accurate description of what we do and, therefore, represents a more suitable title," he told parliament when he first introduced the bill in 2015.

"We seek simply to introduce an alternative for ease of identification for those who are not conversant with history and tradition or with Australian terminology."

Committee Chair Paul Green said, while the bill would "allow the alternative use of the more modern and globally recognised concepts", the parliament "should err on the side of tradition" and not consider it.

The Upper House inquiry into the matter received overwhelming negative responses, with submissions arguing it will only lead to further confusion because federal senators from NSW are already referred to as "Senator for NSW".

Submissions also urged against the changes because the NSW Legislative Council is the oldest representative body in the nation and "can be proud of its name and should resist any change to it".

Labor member Walt Secord said it was an "absolutely ridiculous proposal".

"It was a vanity project proposed by the Premier and Reverend Fred Nile," Mr Secord said.

"Who cares if you are a State Senator or not?

"There are so many other pressing issues in the community."