diff --git a/doc/src/third_order.txt b/doc/src/third_order.txt
index 00fc67fabf..9636ec830e 100644
--- a/doc/src/third_order.txt
+++ b/doc/src/third_order.txt
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ third_order command :h3
 third_order group-ID style delta args keyword value ... :pre
 
 group-ID = ID of group of atoms to displace :ulb,l
-style = {regular} or {ballistico} :l
+style = {regular} or {eskm} :l
 delta = finite different displacement length (distance units) :l
 one or more keyword/arg pairs may be appended :l
   keyword = {file} or {binary}
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ one or more keyword/arg pairs may be appended :l
 [Examples:]
 
 third_order 1 regular 0.000001
-third_order 1 ballistico 0.000001
+third_order 1 eskm 0.000001
 third_order 3 regular 0.00004 file third_order.dat
-third_order 5 ballistico 0.00000001 file third_order.dat binary yes :pre
+third_order 5 eskm 0.00000001 file third_order.dat binary yes :pre
 
 [Description:]
 
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@ where Phi is the third order force constant tensor.
 
 The output of the command is the tensor, three elements at a time. The
 three elements correspond to the three gamma elements for a specific i/alpha/j/beta/k.
-The initial five numbers are i, alpha, j, beta, and k respectively. 
+The initial five numbers are i, alpha, j, beta, and k respectively.
 
-If the style ballistico is selected, the tensor will be of the energy units system 
-10 J/mol. These units conform to eskm style from the dynamical_matrix command, which
-will provide ease for operations using both dynamical matrices with third order tensors.
+If the style eskm is selected, the tensor will be using energy units of 10 J/mol.
+These units conform to eskm style from the dynamical_matrix command, which
+will simplify operations using dynamical matrices with third order tensors.
 
 [Restrictions:]
 
@@ -59,4 +59,4 @@ package"_Build_package.html doc page for more info.
 
 [Default:]
 
-The default settings are file = "third_order.dat", binary = no  
+The default settings are file = "third_order.dat", binary = no
diff --git a/src/USER-PHONON/third_order.cpp b/src/USER-PHONON/third_order.cpp
index 1e1b2ebf71..4b884e00d7 100644
--- a/src/USER-PHONON/third_order.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-PHONON/third_order.cpp
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ void ThirdOrder::command(int narg, char **arg)
 
     int style = -1;
     if (strcmp(arg[1],"regular") == 0) style = REGULAR;
-    else if (strcmp(arg[1],"ballistico") == 0) style = BALLISTICO;
+    else if (strcmp(arg[1],"eskm") == 0) style = BALLISTICO;
     else error->all(FLERR,"Illegal Dynamical Matrix command");
 
     // set option defaults