Here is a list of mission abbreviations in common use and the special 'designations' that Fr. Zephyrin Engelhardt, O.F.M. cited in his definitive multi-volume study The Missions and Missionaries of California, and smaller books on specific missions:
| MISSION | OFFICAL NAME | ABBREVIATION / NICKNAME DESIGNATION |
| San Diego de Alcala | San Diego Mission | Mother of the Missions |
| San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo | Mission Carmel | |
| San Antonio de Padua | San Antonio Mission | |
| San Gabriel Arcangel | San Gabriel Mission | Pride of the Missions |
| San Luis Obispo de Tolosa | Mission San Luis Obispo | |
| San Francisco de Asis | Mission Dolores | |
| San Juan Capistrano | San Juan Capistrano | Jewel of the Missions |
| Santa Clara de Asis | Mission Santa Clara | |
| San Buenaventura | San Buenaventura | Mission by the Sea |
| Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Queen of the Missions |
| La Purisima Concepcion | La Purisima | |
| Santa Cruz | Mission Santa Cruz | |
| Nuestra Senora de la Soledad | Mission Soledad | |
| San Jose | San Jose | |
| San Juan Bautista | San Juan Bautista | Mission of Music |
| San Miguel Arcangel | San Miguel Mission | |
| San Fernando Rey de Espana | San Fernando Rey Mission | Mission of the Valley |
| San Luis Rey de Francia | San Luis Rey Mission | King of the Missions |
| Santa Ines Virgen y Martir | Mission Santa Ines | Mission of the Passes |
| San Rafael Arcangel | San Rafael Mission | |
| San Francisco Solano | Mission Sonoma |