Have we just discovered the real name for Sony’s next handheld, the NGP? According to a swirl of reports doing the rounds, the word is ‘yes.’

One week ahead of E3 2011, the official, final name of the NGP could well be the ‘PlayStation Vita,’ or ‘PS Vita,’ which was allegedly the device’s original codename.

Images from an unknown source (first posted by casual blog site Mega Rock Blog) recently appeared, but were swiftly removed. Since then, internet domain registrations for both PlayStationVita.com and PSVita.com have been discovered, both made through major registrant NetNames on April 20th, lending further credence to the rumour.

Additionally, consumer site Ripten has claimed to have received word from an inside source, revealing that the PS Vita name is in fact real, while further revealing that the planned Uncharted game for Sony’s handheld is subtitled ‘Golden Abyss.’

Here’s that alleged image:

And another of the supposed packaging for PS Vita:

Of course, the internet at large has already spoken out about both the validity of the PS Vita name, while also striking out at the title’s cleverness. In particular, Wedbush market analyst (and surveyor of all things in the videogame world) Michael Pachter has made his opinion known on the name, tweeting:

“I’m beginning to think that the dumber the name, the more likely a device will be successful. PSVita one of the dumber names I’ve heard . .”

Ouch.

Remember what we all originally thought of the names ‘Wii,’ ‘Kinect’ and ‘PlayStation Move’? If the NGP truly is called the PS Vita, then we’ll all get used to it… eventually.

We’re sure to discover the final name of the NGP at E3 2011, starting next week.

H33rsay is El33tonline’s (regular) round-up of game industry rumours and speculation where we have looks at unconfirmed and unannounced pieces of news emerging from anonymous tipsters, information leaks and generally dubious sources. It may not all be true, but it’s still fun to talk about!