diff --git a/src/ophyd_async/core/__init__.py b/src/ophyd_async/core/__init__.py
index 103638019d..2148100cfd 100644
--- a/src/ophyd_async/core/__init__.py
+++ b/src/ophyd_async/core/__init__.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
     wait_for_value,
 )
 from .signal_backend import SignalBackend
-from .sim_signal_backend import SimSignalBackend
+from .soft_signal_backend import SoftSignalBackend
 from .standard_readable import StandardReadable
 from .utils import (
     DEFAULT_TIMEOUT,
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
 
 __all__ = [
     "SignalBackend",
-    "SimSignalBackend",
+    "SoftSignalBackend",
     "DetectorControl",
     "DetectorTrigger",
     "DetectorWriter",
diff --git a/src/ophyd_async/core/signal.py b/src/ophyd_async/core/signal.py
index 927faaf402..fa2e29b475 100644
--- a/src/ophyd_async/core/signal.py
+++ b/src/ophyd_async/core/signal.py
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@
 from .async_status import AsyncStatus
 from .device import Device
 from .signal_backend import SignalBackend
-from .sim_signal_backend import SimSignalBackend
+from .soft_signal_backend import SoftSignalBackend
 from .utils import DEFAULT_TIMEOUT, Callback, ReadingValueCallback, T
 
-_sim_backends: Dict[Signal, SimSignalBackend] = {}
+_sim_backends: Dict[Signal, SoftSignalBackend] = {}
 
 
 def _add_timeout(func):
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def set_name(self, name: str = ""):
 
     async def connect(self, sim=False, timeout=DEFAULT_TIMEOUT):
         if sim:
-            self._backend = SimSignalBackend(
+            self._backend = SoftSignalBackend(
                 datatype=self._init_backend.datatype, source=self._init_backend.source
             )
             _sim_backends[self] = self._backend
diff --git a/src/ophyd_async/core/sim_signal_backend.py b/src/ophyd_async/core/soft_signal_backend.py
similarity index 93%
rename from src/ophyd_async/core/sim_signal_backend.py
rename to src/ophyd_async/core/soft_signal_backend.py
index b0190344bb..f7a86ec349 100644
--- a/src/ophyd_async/core/sim_signal_backend.py
+++ b/src/ophyd_async/core/soft_signal_backend.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 }
 
 
-class SimConverter(Generic[T]):
+class SoftConverter(Generic[T]):
     def value(self, value: T) -> T:
         return value
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def make_initial_value(self, datatype: Optional[Type[T]]) -> T:
         return datatype()
 
 
-class SimArrayConverter(SimConverter):
+class SoftArrayConverter(SoftConverter):
     def descriptor(self, source: str, value) -> Descriptor:
         return {"source": source, "dtype": "array", "shape": [len(value)]}
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def make_initial_value(self, datatype: Optional[Type[T]]) -> T:
 
 
 @dataclass
-class SimEnumConverter(SimConverter):
+class SoftEnumConverter(SoftConverter):
     enum_class: Type[Enum]
 
     def write_value(self, value: Union[Enum, str]) -> Enum:
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def make_initial_value(self, datatype: Optional[Type[T]]) -> T:
         return cast(T, list(datatype.__members__.values())[0])  # type: ignore
 
 
-class DisconnectedSimConverter(SimConverter):
+class DisconnectedSoftConverter(SoftConverter):
     def __getattribute__(self, __name: str) -> Any:
         raise NotImplementedError("No PV has been set as connect() has not been called")
 
@@ -96,14 +96,14 @@ def make_converter(datatype):
     is_enum = issubclass(datatype, Enum) if inspect.isclass(datatype) else False
 
     if is_array or is_sequence:
-        return SimArrayConverter()
+        return SoftArrayConverter()
     if is_enum:
-        return SimEnumConverter(datatype)
+        return SoftEnumConverter(datatype)
 
-    return SimConverter()
+    return SoftConverter()
 
 
-class SimSignalBackend(SignalBackend[T]):
+class SoftSignalBackend(SignalBackend[T]):
     """An simulated backend to a Signal, created with ``Signal.connect(sim=True)``"""
 
     _value: T
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def __init__(self, datatype: Optional[Type[T]], source: str) -> None:
         self.source = f"sim://{pv}"
         self.datatype = datatype
         self.pv = source
-        self.converter: SimConverter = DisconnectedSimConverter()
+        self.converter: SoftConverter = DisconnectedSoftConverter()
         self.put_proceeds = asyncio.Event()
         self.put_proceeds.set()
         self.callback: Optional[ReadingValueCallback[T]] = None
diff --git a/src/ophyd_async/epics/pvi/pvi.py b/src/ophyd_async/epics/pvi/pvi.py
index ea20656261..11501086c0 100644
--- a/src/ophyd_async/epics/pvi/pvi.py
+++ b/src/ophyd_async/epics/pvi/pvi.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
     get_type_hints,
 )
 
-from ophyd_async.core import Device, DeviceVector, SimSignalBackend
+from ophyd_async.core import Device, DeviceVector, SoftSignalBackend
 from ophyd_async.core.signal import Signal
 from ophyd_async.core.utils import DEFAULT_TIMEOUT
 from ophyd_async.epics._backend._p4p import PvaSignalBackend
@@ -172,8 +172,8 @@ def _sim_common_blocks(device: Device, stripped_type: Optional[Type] = None):
 
         if is_device_vector:
             if is_signal:
-                sub_device_1 = device_cls(SimSignalBackend(signal_dtype, device_name))
-                sub_device_2 = device_cls(SimSignalBackend(signal_dtype, device_name))
+                sub_device_1 = device_cls(SoftSignalBackend(signal_dtype, device_name))
+                sub_device_2 = device_cls(SoftSignalBackend(signal_dtype, device_name))
                 sub_device = DeviceVector({1: sub_device_1, 2: sub_device_2})
             else:
                 sub_device = DeviceVector({1: device_cls(), 2: device_cls()})
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ def _sim_common_blocks(device: Device, stripped_type: Optional[Type] = None):
                 value.parent = sub_device
         else:
             if is_signal:
-                sub_device = device_cls(SimSignalBackend(signal_dtype, device_name))
+                sub_device = device_cls(SoftSignalBackend(signal_dtype, device_name))
             else:
                 sub_device = device_cls()
 
diff --git a/src/ophyd_async/sim/pattern_generator.py b/src/ophyd_async/sim/pattern_generator.py
index b6e5434eca..2994020fdc 100644
--- a/src/ophyd_async/sim/pattern_generator.py
+++ b/src/ophyd_async/sim/pattern_generator.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 from ophyd_async.core import DirectoryInfo, DirectoryProvider
 from ophyd_async.core.signal import SignalR, observe_value
-from ophyd_async.core.sim_signal_backend import SimSignalBackend
+from ophyd_async.core.soft_signal_backend import SoftSignalBackend
 from ophyd_async.core.utils import DEFAULT_TIMEOUT
 
 # raw data path
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.written_images_counter: int = 0
 
         # it automatically initializes to 0
-        self.signal_backend = SimSignalBackend(int, "sim://sim_images_counter")
+        self.signal_backend = SoftSignalBackend(int, "sim://sim_images_counter")
         self.sim_signal = SignalR(self.signal_backend)
         blob = np.array(
             generate_gaussian_blob(width=detector_width, height=detector_height)
diff --git a/tests/core/test_device_collector.py b/tests/core/test_device_collector.py
index 7ad92fecd6..abebd542ab 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_device_collector.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_device_collector.py
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ def my_plan():
 
 @pytest.mark.skip(
     reason=(
-        "SimSignalBackend currently allows a different event-"
+        "SoftSignalBackend currently allows a different event-"
         "loop to set the value, unlike real signals."
     )
 )
diff --git a/tests/core/test_flyer.py b/tests/core/test_flyer.py
index 53ff7313a7..2c758381ba 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_flyer.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_flyer.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
     DetectorWriter,
     HardwareTriggeredFlyable,
     SignalRW,
-    SimSignalBackend,
+    SoftSignalBackend,
     TriggerInfo,
     TriggerLogic,
 )
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ async def stop(self):
 
 class DummyWriter(DetectorWriter):
     def __init__(self, name: str, shape: Sequence[int]):
-        self.dummy_signal = SignalRW(backend=SimSignalBackend(int, source="test"))
+        self.dummy_signal = SignalRW(backend=SoftSignalBackend(int, source="test"))
         self._shape = shape
         self._name = name
         self._file: Optional[ComposeStreamResourceBundle] = None
diff --git a/tests/core/test_signal.py b/tests/core/test_signal.py
index 5393cb1a78..792be75b72 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_signal.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_signal.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 from ophyd_async.core import (
     Signal,
     SignalRW,
-    SimSignalBackend,
+    SoftSignalBackend,
     set_and_wait_for_value,
     set_sim_put_proceeds,
     set_sim_value,
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ async def connect(self, sim=False, timeout=DEFAULT_TIMEOUT):
 
 
 def test_signals_equality_raises():
-    sim_backend = SimSignalBackend(str, "test")
+    sim_backend = SoftSignalBackend(str, "test")
 
     s1 = MySignal(sim_backend)
     s2 = MySignal(sim_backend)
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def test_signals_equality_raises():
 
 
 async def test_set_sim_put_proceeds():
-    sim_signal = Signal(SimSignalBackend(str, "test"))
+    sim_signal = Signal(SoftSignalBackend(str, "test"))
     await sim_signal.connect(sim=True)
 
     assert sim_signal._backend.put_proceeds.is_set() is True
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ async def time_taken_by(coro) -> float:
 
 
 async def test_wait_for_value_with_value():
-    sim_signal = SignalRW(SimSignalBackend(str, "test"))
+    sim_signal = SignalRW(SoftSignalBackend(str, "test"))
     sim_signal.set_name("sim_signal")
     await sim_signal.connect(sim=True)
     set_sim_value(sim_signal, "blah")
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ async def test_wait_for_value_with_value():
 
 
 async def test_wait_for_value_with_funcion():
-    sim_signal = SignalRW(SimSignalBackend(float, "test"))
+    sim_signal = SignalRW(SoftSignalBackend(float, "test"))
     sim_signal.set_name("sim_signal")
     await sim_signal.connect(sim=True)
     set_sim_value(sim_signal, 45.8)
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ def less_than_42(v):
 
 
 async def test_set_and_wait_for_value():
-    sim_signal = SignalRW(SimSignalBackend(int, "test"))
+    sim_signal = SignalRW(SoftSignalBackend(int, "test"))
     sim_signal.set_name("sim_signal")
     await sim_signal.connect(sim=True)
     set_sim_value(sim_signal, 0)
diff --git a/tests/core/test_sim.py b/tests/core/test_sim.py
index baefc850ee..71676b6852 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_sim.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_sim.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 import pytest
 from bluesky.protocols import Reading
 
-from ophyd_async.core import Signal, SignalBackend, SimSignalBackend, T
+from ophyd_async.core import Signal, SignalBackend, SoftSignalBackend, T
 
 
 class MyEnum(str, Enum):
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ async def test_backend_get_put_monitor(
     put_value: T,
     descriptor: Callable[[Any], dict],
 ):
-    backend = SimSignalBackend(datatype, "")
+    backend = SoftSignalBackend(datatype, "")
 
     await backend.connect()
     q = MonitorQueue(backend)
@@ -115,13 +115,13 @@ async def test_backend_get_put_monitor(
 
 
 async def test_sim_backend_if_disconnected():
-    sim_backend = SimSignalBackend(npt.NDArray[np.float64], "SOME-IOC:PV")
+    sim_backend = SoftSignalBackend(npt.NDArray[np.float64], "SOME-IOC:PV")
     with pytest.raises(NotImplementedError):
         await sim_backend.get_value()
 
 
 async def test_sim_backend_with_numpy_typing():
-    sim_backend = SimSignalBackend(npt.NDArray[np.float64], "SOME-IOC:PV")
+    sim_backend = SoftSignalBackend(npt.NDArray[np.float64], "SOME-IOC:PV")
     await sim_backend.connect()
 
     array = await sim_backend.get_value()
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ class myClass:
         def __init__(self) -> None:
             pass
 
-    sim_signal = Signal(SimSignalBackend(myClass, "test"))
+    sim_signal = Signal(SoftSignalBackend(myClass, "test"))
     await sim_signal.connect(sim=True)
 
     with pytest.raises(AssertionError):
diff --git a/tests/core/test_utils.py b/tests/core/test_utils.py
index 6a02bff77f..bd8589f3db 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_utils.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_utils.py
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@
     DirectoryInfo,
     NotConnected,
     SignalRW,
-    SimSignalBackend,
+    SoftSignalBackend,
     StaticDirectoryProvider,
 )
 from ophyd_async.epics.signal import epics_signal_rw
 
 
-class ValueErrorBackend(SimSignalBackend):
+class ValueErrorBackend(SoftSignalBackend):
     def __init__(self, exc_text=""):
         self.exc_text = exc_text
         super().__init__(int, "VALUE_ERROR_SIGNAL")
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ async def connect(self, timeout: float = DEFAULT_TIMEOUT):
 
 class WorkingDummyChildDevice(Device):
     def __init__(self, name: str = "working_dummy_child_device") -> None:
-        self.working_signal = SignalRW(backend=SimSignalBackend(int, "WORKING_SIGNAL"))
+        self.working_signal = SignalRW(backend=SoftSignalBackend(int, "WORKING_SIGNAL"))
         super().__init__(name=name)
 
 
diff --git a/tests/panda/test_writer.py b/tests/panda/test_writer.py
index c80893823c..c775b6f80e 100644
--- a/tests/panda/test_writer.py
+++ b/tests/panda/test_writer.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     Device,
     DeviceCollector,
     SignalR,
-    SimSignalBackend,
+    SoftSignalBackend,
     StaticDirectoryProvider,
     set_sim_value,
 )
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ async def sim_panda() -> PandA:
         sim_panda.block1 = Device("BLOCK1")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
         sim_panda.block2 = Device("BLOCK2")  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
         sim_panda.block1.test_capture = SignalRW(  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-            backend=SimSignalBackend(str, source="BLOCK1_capture")
+            backend=SoftSignalBackend(str, source="BLOCK1_capture")
         )
         sim_panda.block2.test_capture = SignalRW(  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
-            backend=SimSignalBackend(str, source="BLOCK2_capture")
+            backend=SoftSignalBackend(str, source="BLOCK2_capture")
         )
 
     await asyncio.gather(
@@ -70,10 +70,10 @@ async def test_get_capture_signals_gets_all_signals(sim_panda):
     async with DeviceCollector(sim=True):
         sim_panda.test_seq = Device("seq")
         sim_panda.test_seq.seq1_capture = SignalR(
-            backend=SimSignalBackend(str, source="seq1_capture")
+            backend=SoftSignalBackend(str, source="seq1_capture")
         )
         sim_panda.test_seq.seq2_capture = SignalR(
-            backend=SimSignalBackend(str, source="seq2_capture")
+            backend=SoftSignalBackend(str, source="seq2_capture")
         )
         await asyncio.gather(
             sim_panda.test_seq.connect(),
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ async def test_numeric_blocks_correctly_formated(sim_writer: PandaHDFWriter):
     async def get_numeric_signal(_):
         return {
             "device.block.1": CaptureSignalWrapper(
-                SignalR(backend=SimSignalBackend(str, source="test_signal")),
+                SignalR(backend=SoftSignalBackend(str, source="test_signal")),
                 Capture.Value,
             )
         }
diff --git a/tests/test_flyer_with_panda.py b/tests/test_flyer_with_panda.py
index f680ad0395..d7b969761a 100644
--- a/tests/test_flyer_with_panda.py
+++ b/tests/test_flyer_with_panda.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
     DetectorWriter,
     HardwareTriggeredFlyable,
     SignalRW,
-    SimSignalBackend,
+    SoftSignalBackend,
 )
 from ophyd_async.core.detector import StandardDetector
 from ophyd_async.core.device import DeviceCollector
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 
 class DummyWriter(DetectorWriter):
     def __init__(self, name: str, shape: Sequence[int]):
-        self.dummy_signal = SignalRW(backend=SimSignalBackend(int, source="test"))
+        self.dummy_signal = SignalRW(backend=SoftSignalBackend(int, source="test"))
         self._shape = shape
         self._name = name
         self._file: Optional[ComposeStreamResourceBundle] = None