However, you can use various terms depending on the context and the type of abbreviation:
General terms:
* Initialism: This is the most common and general term for such abbreviations, even though it's often used interchangeably with "acronym." Examples: FBI, USA, NATO.
* Letter abbreviation: This is a more descriptive term that emphasizes the use of letters.
More specific terms:
* Acronym (with caveats): Technically, an acronym is pronounced as a word (like "NASA" or "SCUBA"). However, many people use "acronym" even for initialisms that are pronounced letter by letter.
* Alphabetic abbreviation: This term emphasizes the alphabetical sequence of the letters used.
* Letter code: This term is suitable for abbreviations that function as codes, like "RSVP" for "Répondez s'il vous plaît".
Examples:
* FBI: Initialism, letter abbreviation, alphabetic abbreviation
* USA: Initialism, letter abbreviation, alphabetic abbreviation
* RSVP: Initialism, letter abbreviation, letter code
Ultimately, the best term to use depends on the specific context and your intended meaning.