When Birmingham and the Black Country councils put their differences aside to form a new combined authority all most of us could think was: "What are we going to call it?"

The deal was all about securing the right to access a greater slice of government funding on transport infrastructure and economic development and more powers for the region to further its own interests.

So, while there is broad consensus that this is a good thing for our city region, we can now fall out over the name for this organisation.

The problem is that while Greater Manchester, Merseyside and even Tyneside seem to have an established name which is recognised on a national stage, this region of ours has no such identity.

Birmingham is the most globally recognisable name, and about half the people in the region name the city as home. As such, Greater Birmingham is probably the clearest statement.

West Midlands is the historic name, but has been applied to the region – taking in far flung towns and cities like Stoke-on-Trent, Shrewsbury and Leamington Spa, as well as the old county council. Now it is most commonly applied to the police force and the safari park.

West Midlands is simply a reference to our place in the English nation and again smacks of that inferiority complex – similar to the second city title – that the city or region's value is only in relation to others.

Artificial titles, like Sandwell, are only ever used by civil servants and the narrow political classes. Few, if any, claim to live there.

So former councillor Peter Smallbone's otherwise excellent suggestion of a 2000AD inspired 'Mega City One', the sprawling sci-fi dystopia where Judge Dredd administered summary justice to criminals, should be ruled out on that score.

This vision of the urban conurbation would seem to fit with the pre-conceived ideas of many living elsewhere. And Birmingham Friends of the Earth suggested a 'retro' revival of Mercia – the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom.

But in reality 'Greater Birmingham' seems to tick all the boxes, the drawback being there is strong and understandable resistance from the Black Country authorities and individuals who see this as expansionist or the local authority beast of Birmingham trampling over its neighbours.

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper, who seems to be positioning himself as leader of this new institution, said that 'Greater Birmingham' would definitely not be the name.

He said: "We will work on a name that will reflect the views of the local people – for example, it may be called 'Birmingham and the Black Country'.

Perhaps he could try the suggestion of former Sutton Coldfield councillor Philip Parkin, the 'Sandwell and Dudley Organised Local Democratic Middle England Network' – Sad Old Men for short.

Or perhaps, if he really wants to land the project with something truly unwieldy he should ask his Birmingham counterpart Sir Albert Bore. Sir Albert's track record in titles is unrivalled – cabinet positions and committees with titles like partnerships, contracts, third sector and performance, or social cohesion and community safety and governance, resources and member development are all his creations.

They are so confusing and cumbersome that many councillors and staff are too embarrassed to use them. They then have the freedom to create their own shorthand versions.

I suspect that Coun Cooper is right and that some sort of Birmingham and Black Country title will be settled on, with additions to cover Coventry, Solihull and the satellite towns if they join in.

But like Sir Albert's cabinet positions no-one outside of an official meeting or letterhead will use them and eventually it will become shortened to the point that 'Birmingham', or 'Greater Birmingham', will become the name by the back door.