When optim() is used with method="BFGS", the name of parameters within the vector are transmitted (see below, first example). When method="Brent", the name of parameter (only one parameter can be fitted with Brent method) is not transmitted. As there is only one, of course, we know which parameter it is, but it makes things non-consistent between methods. It would be better that same convention is used for different method as it will permit to make more general use of optim(). Marc Tested in R-3.4.1 For example, here: @@@@@@@@@@@ Method BFGS @@@@@@@@@@@ # The names of values in par are transmitted fitnorm_meansd<-function(par, val) { print(par) -sum(dnorm(x=val, mean=par["mean"], sd=par["sd"], log = TRUE)) } val <- rnorm(100, mean=20, sd=2) p<-c(mean=20, sd=2) result<-optim(par=p, fn=fitnorm_meansd, val=val, method="BFGS") The print(par) shows the named vector: > result<-optim(par=p, fn=fitnorm_meansd, val=val, method="BFGS") mean sd 20 2 mean sd 20.001 2.000 mean sd 19.999 2.000 mean sd 20.000 2.001 etc... @@@@@@@@@@@ Method Brent @@@@@@@@@@@ # The name of value in par is not transmitted fitnorm_mean<-function(par, val) { print(par) -sum(dnorm(x=val, mean=par, sd=2, log = TRUE)) } val <- rnorm(100, mean=20, sd=2) p<-c(mean=20) result<-optim(par=p, fn=fitnorm_mean, val=val, method="Brent", lower=10, upper=30) The print(par) does not show named vector: > result<-optim(par=p, fn=fitnorm_mean, val=val, method="Brent", lower=10, upper=30) [1] 17.63932 [1] 22.36068