Belfast City Council was advised not to use the term "Bloody Friday" to describe the 50th anniversary of the IRA bombings.
A senior official in the Commission for Victims and Survivors told the council to "avoid if possible" as the words could be "potentially triggering", emails seen by Belfast Live show.
The council faced criticism last month over a commemoration for victims as it did not use the term "Bloody Friday" on its printed programme.
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There were also complaints that there was little or no mention of the actions of the IRA during the private event at city hall.
Nine people were killed and 130 were seriously injured on Friday July 21 1972 when multiple IRA bombs exploded across Belfast in what became known as Bloody Friday.
Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request show the council liaised with CVS to help locate and notify affected families of the planned commemoration.
In a CVS paper, it was advised that communication should be "handled carefully as some individuals affected may wish to be informed about it while others may not".
A senior communications official in CVS advised the council against using "Bloody Friday" when contacting those impacted by the Troubles bombings.
She referenced Bloody Sunday in January 1972, when 13 people were shot dead and 15 wounded when the British Army opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in Derry.
The official wrote: "I'd actually use the term 'Bloody Friday' as little as possible in communication to individuals (or avoid if possible).
"Unlike the Bloody Sunday families who have publicly and collectively took [sic] ownership of being referred to as such, we’re starting with little to know [sic] knowledge of these families.
"Something softer (although I appreciate, lengthier!) such as, 'Commemorating those who were injured and the families of those who lost their lives in incidents across Belfast on 21 July 1972'. It's less hard-hitting and potentially triggering to my mind."
She also advised being "up-front" about the logistical challenges of trying to make contact with all those affected by Bloody Friday.
DUP MLA Brian Kingston, whose party proposed the commemoration, has written to CVS seeking clarity on what advice was provided.
He said: "We do not agree with the decision to omit the words 'Bloody Friday' from the printed programme given that the day is universally known by that title.
"It will always be remembered as one of the worst terrorist atrocities committed during the Troubles."
Mr Kingston said he recalled the actions of the IRA were "referenced in verbal comments made at the start of the event". However, some others who attended have said they cannot recall any reference.
The North Belfast MLA added: "At a time when some people are trying to excuse terrorism or hope that the memory of the horror of it will diminish over time, it is essential that we remember the indiscriminate and devastating consequences for innocent people which resulted from diabolical acts of terrorism in Northern Ireland and elsewhere."
CVS said its advice on the term "Bloody Friday" was in specific reference to communications between the council and victims' families when notifying them of the commemoration.
It said that on the day of the event, the compere made reference to "Bloody Friday".
A spokeswoman said CVS "did not give any advice on whether the IRA should be referenced".
She added: "Our advice to the council was to put the impacted families to the forefront of their mind in all their decision-making to limit the potential for compounding their grief, hurt or trauma."
A council spokesman said: "In organising this reflective event, council’s main priority was the survivors and family members of those killed or injured on that day.
"Council worked closely with the Commission for Victims and Survivors to agree the event programme, taking their advice and guidance around language used to describe the event, in order to ensure the occasion was handled sensitively and respectfully, and that no further hurt was caused to the families.
"It was advised that using the term ‘Bloody Friday’ could potentially be triggering for some families impacted by the events of July 1972."
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