In view of some disputes that have cropped up in the naming of A-type granite in China, this paper suggests that the term alkaline granitoids should be used to replace the name A_type granite. Alkaline granitoids include alkaline and peralkaline granite, its associated katnosite and quartz syenite, and its associated and compositionally-similar alkali feldspar granite and rich-alkali meta_aluminous granite. These rocks have similar petrochemical compositions, mineral constituents and rock-forming tectonic settings. The term alkaline granitoids is likely to be accepted by Chinese geologists and is especially conducive to the naming of rocks by beginners and geological mapping workers.