diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a540179de44..7eea9addec7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ release.
 
 ### Metrics
 
+- Clarify that View-provided metric stream `name` is not subject to instrument
+  name syntax validation.
+  ([#5094](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/pull/5094))
 - Add in-development `Bind` API to synchronous instruments.
   ([#5050](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/pull/5050))
 - Stabilize sections of Prometheus Metrics Exporter.
diff --git a/specification/metrics/sdk.md b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
index 9cce1bec454..8204b3d1694 100644
--- a/specification/metrics/sdk.md
+++ b/specification/metrics/sdk.md
@@ -353,6 +353,10 @@ The SDK MUST accept the following stream configuration parameters:
   MUST NOT obligate a user to provide one. If the user does not provide a
   `name` value, name from the Instrument the View matches MUST be used by
   default.
+
+  The `name` provided via stream configuration is NOT REQUIRED to conform to
+  the [instrument name syntax](./api.md#instrument-name-syntax), and the SDK
+  MUST NOT validate it against that syntax.
 * `description`: The metric stream description that SHOULD be used.
   
   Users can provide a `description`, but it is up to their discretion.