diff --git a/hawkbit-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/exception/SpServerError.java b/hawkbit-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/exception/SpServerError.java
index 823ac859f..48cd39417 100644
--- a/hawkbit-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/exception/SpServerError.java
+++ b/hawkbit-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/exception/SpServerError.java
@@ -306,7 +306,10 @@ public enum SpServerError {
     SP_TARGET_TYPE_INCOMPATIBLE("hawkbit.server.error.target.type.incompatible",
             "Target type of target is not compatible with distribution set."),
 
-    SP_STOP_ROLLOUT_FAILED("hawkbit.server.error.stopRolloutFailed", "Stopping the rollout failed");
+    SP_TARGET_TYPE_KEY_OR_NAME_REQUIRED("hawkbit.server.error.target.type.keyOrNameRequired",
+            "Target type key or name is required."),
+
+    SP_STOP_ROLLOUT_FAILED("hawkbit.server.error.stopRolloutFailed", "Stopping the rollout failed.");
 
     private final String key;
     private final String message;
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-api/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/TargetTypeCreate.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-api/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/TargetTypeCreate.java
index 37441500f..d0deb5442 100644
--- a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-api/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/TargetTypeCreate.java
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-api/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/TargetTypeCreate.java
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.model.BaseEntity;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.model.DistributionSetType;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.model.NamedEntity;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.model.TargetType;
+import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.model.Type;
 
 import javax.validation.constraints.NotEmpty;
 import javax.validation.constraints.NotNull;
@@ -42,12 +43,19 @@ public interface TargetTypeCreate {
      */
     TargetTypeCreate description(@Size(max = NamedEntity.DESCRIPTION_MAX_SIZE) String description);
 
+    /**
+     * @param key
+     *            for {@link TargetType#getName()}
+     * @return updated builder instance
+     */
+    TargetTypeCreate key(@Size(min = 1, max = Type.KEY_MAX_SIZE) @NotEmpty String key);
+
     /**
      * @param colour
      *            for {@link TargetType#getColour()}
      * @return updated builder instance
      */
-    TargetTypeCreate colour(@Size(max = TargetType.COLOUR_MAX_SIZE) String colour);
+    TargetTypeCreate colour(@Size(max = Type.COLOUR_MAX_SIZE) String colour);
 
     /**
      * @param compatible
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-api/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/exception/TargetTypeKeyOrNameRequiredException.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-api/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/exception/TargetTypeKeyOrNameRequiredException.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..44dd2df23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-api/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/exception/TargetTypeKeyOrNameRequiredException.java
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2023 Bosch.IO GmbH and others
+ *
+ * This program and the accompanying materials are made
+ * available under the terms of the Eclipse Public License 2.0
+ * which is available at https://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-2.0/
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0
+ */
+package org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.exception;
+
+import org.eclipse.hawkbit.exception.AbstractServerRtException;
+import org.eclipse.hawkbit.exception.SpServerError;
+
+import java.io.Serial;
+
+/**
+ * Thrown if tried creation of type with no key nor name.
+ */
+public class TargetTypeKeyOrNameRequiredException extends AbstractServerRtException {
+
+    @Serial
+    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
+    private static final SpServerError THIS_ERROR = SpServerError.SP_TARGET_TYPE_KEY_OR_NAME_REQUIRED;
+
+    /**
+     * Default constructor.
+     */
+    public TargetTypeKeyOrNameRequiredException(final String message) {
+        super(message, THIS_ERROR);
+    }
+}
+
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractDistributionSetTypeUpdateCreate.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractDistributionSetTypeUpdateCreate.java
index cd7033704..fec821d24 100644
--- a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractDistributionSetTypeUpdateCreate.java
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractDistributionSetTypeUpdateCreate.java
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import java.util.Collection;
 import java.util.Optional;
 
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.ValidString;
-import org.springframework.util.CollectionUtils;
 import org.springframework.util.StringUtils;
 
 /**
@@ -22,11 +21,7 @@ import org.springframework.util.StringUtils;
  * @param <T>
  *            update or create builder interface
  */
-public abstract class AbstractDistributionSetTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractNamedEntityBuilder<T> {
-    @ValidString
-    protected String colour;
-    @ValidString
-    protected String key;
+public abstract class AbstractDistributionSetTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractTypeUpdateCreate<T> {
 
     protected Collection<Long> mandatory;
     protected Collection<Long> optional;
@@ -48,23 +43,4 @@ public abstract class AbstractDistributionSetTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends Abstrac
     public Optional<Collection<Long>> getOptional() {
         return Optional.ofNullable(optional);
     }
-
-    public T colour(final String colour) {
-        this.colour = StringUtils.trimWhitespace(colour);
-        return (T) this;
-    }
-
-    public Optional<String> getColour() {
-        return Optional.ofNullable(colour);
-    }
-
-    public T key(final String key) {
-        this.key = StringUtils.trimWhitespace(key);
-        return (T) this;
-    }
-
-    public Optional<String> getKey() {
-        return Optional.ofNullable(key);
-    }
-
 }
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractSoftwareModuleTypeUpdateCreate.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractSoftwareModuleTypeUpdateCreate.java
index 594ae0d9a..4d2af6cf1 100644
--- a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractSoftwareModuleTypeUpdateCreate.java
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractSoftwareModuleTypeUpdateCreate.java
@@ -9,22 +9,13 @@
  */
 package org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.builder;
 
-import java.util.Optional;
-
-import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.ValidString;
-import org.springframework.util.StringUtils;
-
 /**
  * Create and update builder DTO.
  *
  * @param <T>
  *            update or create builder interface
  */
-public abstract class AbstractSoftwareModuleTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractNamedEntityBuilder<T> {
-    @ValidString
-    protected String colour;
-    @ValidString
-    protected String key;
+public abstract class AbstractSoftwareModuleTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractTypeUpdateCreate<T> {
 
     protected int maxAssignments = 1;
 
@@ -36,23 +27,4 @@ public abstract class AbstractSoftwareModuleTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends Abstract
     public int getMaxAssignments() {
         return maxAssignments;
     }
-
-    public T colour(final String colour) {
-        this.colour = StringUtils.trimWhitespace(colour);
-        return (T) this;
-    }
-
-    public Optional<String> getColour() {
-        return Optional.ofNullable(colour);
-    }
-
-    public T key(final String key) {
-        this.key = StringUtils.trimWhitespace(key);
-        return (T) this;
-    }
-
-    public Optional<String> getKey() {
-        return Optional.ofNullable(key);
-    }
-
 }
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate.java
index a1b65e0d9..b000f7630 100644
--- a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate.java
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate.java
@@ -21,9 +21,7 @@ import java.util.Optional;
  * @param <T>
  *            update or create builder interface
  */
-public abstract class AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractNamedEntityBuilder<T> {
-    @ValidString
-    protected String colour;
+public abstract class AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractTypeUpdateCreate<T> {
 
     protected Collection<Long> compatible;
 
@@ -43,22 +41,4 @@ public abstract class AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractNamedEnt
     public Optional<Collection<Long>> getCompatible() {
         return Optional.ofNullable(compatible);
     }
-
-    /**
-     * @param colour
-     *          Colour value
-     * @return generic type
-     */
-    public T colour(final String colour) {
-        this.colour = StringUtils.trimWhitespace(colour);
-        return (T) this;
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * @return colour
-     */
-    public Optional<String> getColour() {
-        return Optional.ofNullable(colour);
-    }
-
 }
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractTypeUpdateCreate.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractTypeUpdateCreate.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e97c4b35f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/builder/AbstractTypeUpdateCreate.java
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2023 Bosch.IO GmbH and others
+ *
+ * This program and the accompanying materials are made
+ * available under the terms of the Eclipse Public License 2.0
+ * which is available at https://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-2.0/
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0
+ */
+package org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.builder;
+
+import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.ValidString;
+import org.springframework.util.StringUtils;
+
+import java.util.Optional;
+
+/**
+ * Create and update builder DTO.
+ *
+ * @param <T>
+ *            update or create builder interface
+ */
+public abstract class AbstractTypeUpdateCreate<T> extends AbstractNamedEntityBuilder<T> {
+
+    @ValidString
+    protected String colour;
+    @ValidString
+    protected String key;
+
+    public T colour(final String colour) {
+        this.colour = StringUtils.trimWhitespace(colour);
+        return (T) this;
+    }
+
+    public Optional<String> getColour() {
+        return Optional.ofNullable(colour);
+    }
+
+    public T key(final String key) {
+        this.key = StringUtils.trimWhitespace(key);
+        return (T) this;
+    }
+
+    public Optional<String> getKey() {
+        return Optional.ofNullable(key);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/builder/JpaTargetTypeCreate.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/builder/JpaTargetTypeCreate.java
index 860265f10..43ce272b7 100644
--- a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/builder/JpaTargetTypeCreate.java
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/builder/JpaTargetTypeCreate.java
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.DistributionSetTypeManagement;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.builder.AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.builder.TargetTypeCreate;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.exception.EntityNotFoundException;
+import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.exception.TargetTypeKeyOrNameRequiredException;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.jpa.model.JpaTargetType;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.model.DistributionSetType;
 import org.eclipse.hawkbit.repository.model.SoftwareModuleType;
@@ -42,10 +43,12 @@ public class JpaTargetTypeCreate extends AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate<TargetTy
 
     @Override
     public JpaTargetType build() {
-        final JpaTargetType result = new JpaTargetType(name, description, colour);
+        if (key == null && name == null) {
+            throw new TargetTypeKeyOrNameRequiredException("Key or name of the target type shall be specified!");
+        }
 
+        final JpaTargetType result = new JpaTargetType(key == null ? name : key, name == null ? key : name, description, colour);
         findDistributionSetTypeWithExceptionIfNotFound(compatible).forEach(result::addCompatibleDistributionSetType);
-
         return result;
     }
 
@@ -62,5 +65,4 @@ public class JpaTargetTypeCreate extends AbstractTargetTypeUpdateCreate<TargetTy
 
         return type;
     }
-
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/model/JpaTargetType.java b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/model/JpaTargetType.java
index 65942fd85..21c091f11 100644
--- a/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/model/JpaTargetType.java
+++ b/hawkbit-repository/hawkbit-repository-jpa/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/repository/jpa/model/JpaTargetType.java
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ public class JpaTargetType extends AbstractJpaTypeEntity implements TargetType,
     }
 
     /**
-     * Constructor
+     * Constructor, legacy support where <code>key</code> is set to passed <code>name</code>.
      *
      * @param name
      *            of the type
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ public class JpaTargetType extends AbstractJpaTypeEntity implements TargetType,
      * @param colour
      *            of the type
      */
+    @Deprecated
     public JpaTargetType(final String name, final String description, final String colour) {
         this(name, name, description, colour);
     }
diff --git a/hawkbit-rest/hawkbit-rest-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/rest/exception/ResponseExceptionHandler.java b/hawkbit-rest/hawkbit-rest-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/rest/exception/ResponseExceptionHandler.java
index fb0088d7b..c5dc645ee 100644
--- a/hawkbit-rest/hawkbit-rest-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/rest/exception/ResponseExceptionHandler.java
+++ b/hawkbit-rest/hawkbit-rest-core/src/main/java/org/eclipse/hawkbit/rest/exception/ResponseExceptionHandler.java
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ public class ResponseExceptionHandler {
         ERROR_TO_HTTP_STATUS.put(SpServerError.SP_NO_WEIGHT_PROVIDED_IN_MULTIASSIGNMENT_MODE, HttpStatus.BAD_REQUEST);
         ERROR_TO_HTTP_STATUS.put(SpServerError.SP_TARGET_TYPE_IN_USE, HttpStatus.CONFLICT);
         ERROR_TO_HTTP_STATUS.put(SpServerError.SP_TARGET_TYPE_INCOMPATIBLE, HttpStatus.BAD_REQUEST);
+        ERROR_TO_HTTP_STATUS.put(SpServerError.SP_TARGET_TYPE_KEY_OR_NAME_REQUIRED, HttpStatus.BAD_REQUEST);
         ERROR_TO_HTTP_STATUS.put(SpServerError.SP_DS_INVALID, HttpStatus.BAD_REQUEST);
         ERROR_TO_HTTP_STATUS.put(SpServerError.SP_DS_INCOMPLETE, HttpStatus.BAD_REQUEST);
         ERROR_TO_HTTP_STATUS.put(SpServerError.SP_STOP_ROLLOUT_FAILED, HttpStatus.LOCKED);