SyntaxError: function statement requires a name

The JavaScript exception "function statement requires a name" occurs when there is a function statement in the code that requires a name.

There is a function statement in the code that requires a name. You'll need to check how functions are defined and if you need to provide a name for it, or if the function in question needs to be a function expression, an IIFE, or if the function code is placed correctly in this context at all.

A function statement (or function declaration) requires a name. This won't work:

function () {
  return 'Hello world';
}
// SyntaxError: function statement requires a name

You can use a function expression (assignment) instead:

var greet = function() {
  return 'Hello world';
};

If your function is intended to be an IIFE (Immediately Invoked Function Expression, which is a function that runs as soon as it is defined) you will need to add a few more braces:

(function () {

})();

If you are using function labels, you will still need to provide a function name after the function keyword. This doesn't work:

function Greeter() {
  german: function () {
    return "Moin";
  }
}
// SyntaxError: function statement requires a name

This would work, for example:

function Greeter() {
  german: function g() {
    return "Moin";
  }
}

If you intended to create a method of an object, you will need to create an object. The following syntax without a name after the function keyword is valid then.

var greeter = {
  german: function () {
    return "Moin";
  }
};

Also, check your syntax when using callbacks. Brackets and commas can quickly get confusing.

promise.then(
  function() {
    console.log("success");
  });
  function() {
    console.log("error");
}
// SyntaxError: function statement requires a name

Correct would be:

promise.then(
  function() {
    console.log("success");
  },
  function() {
    console.log("error");
  }
);

• Functions in the JavaScript Guide
• function statement
• function expression
• IIFE
• label