Victoria University could be renamed the University of Wellington. (File photo)

Victoria University could be renamed the University of Wellington as the tertiary institute tries to eliminate confusion for potential overseas students.

Vice-chancellor professor Grant Guilford said a name change was on the cards to provide "clarity" and avoid other universities taking credit for work done at the Wellington campus.

"The achievements of our staff and students, and for that matter our city, can be attributed to other institutions and countries, dimming our international standing."

CAMERON BURNELL/STUFF Students looking to study at Wellington's Victoria University in the future may study under a different institution name. (File photo)

A name change could include a secondary title for the university in Te Reo Māori. "Something meaningful," Guilford said.

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Te Herenga Waka, which translates to the hitching post for your canoe, has been suggested.

If adopted, a name change would be a "gradual evolution" rather than a "big bang".

It was likely they would keep the university's colour-scheme and logos to minimise costs, Guilford said.

University staff heard about the potential name change during a staff meeting on Tuesday morning. There were some who opposed it but overall they supported the idea, Guilford said.

The decision was based on advice from three global university ranking agencies and a survey of 1400 students from seven countries, which found the current name was confusing people.

Wellington Central MP and Finance Minister Grant Robertson said he knew graduates of Victoria University who were very proud of the institution and its long history.

But he also understood there were "a lot of Victoria universities in the world".

"I'm sure it will be the subject of vigorous debate," he said.

Hutt South MP and Victoria University alumni Chris Bishop said he initially opposed the idea. However, he understood the university's reasons for a name change having copped years of confusion while competing overseas with the debating team.

"There's an emotional connection to the place. There will be people who say that you're giving up the 100-plus years of a brand and the integrity and credibility behind it."

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, who was consulted with on the idea, said it was a good strategic move that he wholeheartedly supported.

Victoria University alumni Ian McKinnon said the name meant "a great deal" to him but he would not stand in the way of change that was supported, and in the best interests of the institute's future.

Any name change will be put before Education Minister Chris Hipkins to gazette the changes. Hipkins said he could not comment on the potential name change.

HOW VIC UNI GOT ITS NAME

The capital's university was named after Queen Victoria 120 years ago as the University of New Zealand's Victoria College.

When the University of New Zealand broke apart in the 1950s they never settled on a final name and a "compromise" was made that resulted in Victoria University of Wellington, Vice-chancellor professor Grant Guilford said.

In the 1970s the name debate began again but Victoria University of Wellington remained.

"Fast forward to where we are now and the conversations are getting louder because of the increased association with Australia, Canada and other universities around the world with similar names," Guilford said.

HOW THE NAME CHANGE WILL WORK

* University will consult with alumni, current students and staff

* The university's council will then make a final decision sometime in the coming months

* Costs associated with a name change will then be announced

* Any name change will go to Education Minister Chris Hipkins for approval

NAMES SIMILAR TO VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON

* Victoria University - Melbourne, Australia

* University of Victoria - Victoria, Canada

* Victoria Shanghai Academy - Hong Kong

* Victoria University (college at the University of Toronto) - Toronto, Canada

* Victoria University of Bangladesh - Dhaka, Bangladesh

* Victoria University Kampala - Uganda

* Victoria International College - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

* Victoria College Jersey - St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands

* Victoria College Belfast - Belfast, Northern Ireland