diff --git a/backend/ibex/data_source/imas_python_source.py b/backend/ibex/data_source/imas_python_source.py
index 91d57203..61110056 100644
--- a/backend/ibex/data_source/imas_python_source.py
+++ b/backend/ibex/data_source/imas_python_source.py
@@ -628,6 +628,43 @@ def _check_data_is_leaf_node(self, data) -> None:
         elif isinstance(data, IDSStructure):
             raise NotALeafNodeException("Cannot serialize non-leaf node")
 
+    def _generate_grid_quantity_alias(self, grid_node: IDSNumericArray):
+        """
+        Generates alias and unit for selected grid node. Assumes grid_node.name == "dimX" X=(1...N)
+        :param grid_node: IDSNode (named dimX, X = [1...N])
+        :return:
+        """
+        result = {"alias": None, "unit_alias": None}
+        if grid_node._parent is None or grid_node._parent._parent is None:
+            return result
+        if not re.search(r"dim[1-9]", grid_node.metadata.name):
+            return result
+
+        # assume grid_node is located inside XXX/grid/<node> and grid_type is located in XXX/grid_type
+        grid_type_index = grid_node._parent._parent.grid_type.index
+        if grid_type_index == imas.ids_defs.EMPTY_INT:
+            return result
+
+        dim_index = int(grid_node.metadata.name[-1]) - 1  # dim1->0, dim2->1 etc...
+        # Extract units
+        try:
+            units = imas.identifiers.poloidal_plane_coordinates_identifier(grid_type_index).units.split(",")
+            result["unit_alias"] = units[dim_index]
+        except (ValueError, KeyError, AttributeError):
+            result["unit_alias"] = None
+
+        # Extract axis labels
+        try:
+            axis_labels = imas.identifiers.poloidal_plane_coordinates_identifier(grid_type_index).axis_labels.split(",")
+            result["alias"] = axis_labels[dim_index]
+        except AttributeError:
+            description = imas.identifiers.poloidal_plane_coordinates_identifier(grid_type_index).description
+            match = re.findall(r"(\w+)=(dim[1-9])", description)
+            axis_labels = {v: k for k, v in match}
+            result["alias"] = axis_labels.get(grid_node.metadata.name, None)
+
+        return result
+
     def get_plot_data(
         self,
         uri: str,
@@ -803,10 +840,20 @@ def get_plot_data(
                         except ValueError:
                             coord_data_shape = "irregular"
 
+                        coord_name = coord.split("/")[-1]
+                        alias = None
+                        alias_unit = None
+                        if re.search(r"dim[1-9]", coord_name):
+                            alias_dict = self._generate_grid_quantity_alias(first_value)
+                            alias = alias_dict["alias"]
+                            alias_unit = alias_dict["unit_alias"]
+
+                        coord_name = alias if alias else coord_name
+                        units = alias_unit if alias_unit else first_value.metadata.units
                         c = {
-                            "name": coord.split("/")[-1],
+                            "name": coord_name,
                             "target": f"#{ids}/{target}",
-                            "unit": first_value.metadata.units,
+                            "unit": units,
                             "shape": coord_data_shape,  # coord_data could be np.ndarray or list[np.ndarray]
                             "downsampled_shape": coord_data_shape,
                             "ndim": first_value.metadata.ndim,
diff --git a/backend/ibex/endpoints/schemas/data_schemas.py b/backend/ibex/endpoints/schemas/data_schemas.py
index 68052c77..1fbb7e3a 100644
--- a/backend/ibex/endpoints/schemas/data_schemas.py
+++ b/backend/ibex/endpoints/schemas/data_schemas.py
@@ -17,10 +17,12 @@ class PlotDataCoordinateModel(BaseModel):
     """Intermediate model for /data/plot_data endpoint"""
 
     name: str = Field(description="Node name", examples=["dim1"])
+    alias: str = Field(description="Node name alias", examples=["Height"])
     target: str = Field(
         description="Which node coordinate is it", examples=["#equilibrium/time_slice[0]/profiles_2d[0]/psi"]
     )
-    unit: str = Field(description="Data units", examples=[""])
+    unit: str = Field(description="Data units", examples=["m", "mixed"])
+    unit_alias: str = Field(description="Data units alias", examples=["m"])
     shape: list[int] | str = Field(description="Shape of the data", examples=[[129]])
     downsampled_shape: list[int] | str = Field(description="Shape of the data after downsampling", examples=[[129]])
     ndim: int = Field(description="Number of data dimensions stored in node", examples=[1])
diff --git a/backend/tests/conftest.py b/backend/tests/conftest.py
index 220783e1..a7d06e3a 100644
--- a/backend/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/backend/tests/conftest.py
@@ -88,8 +88,13 @@ def entry_path(tmp_path_factory):
             ion.temperature = np.array([[i, +1, i + 2], [i + 10, i + 11, i + 12], [i + 20, i + 21, i + 32]])
         profiles_2d.grid.dim1 = np.array([0, 1, 2])
         profiles_2d.grid.dim2 = np.array([0, 1, 2])
+        profiles_2d.grid.volume_element = np.array([[1.0, 2.0, 3.0], [1.0, 1.0, 1.0], [1.0, 1.0, 1.0]], dtype=float)
         i += 10
 
+    # for coordinate aliases/units
+    core_profiles.profiles_2d[0].grid_type = 1
+    core_profiles.profiles_2d[1].grid_type = 2
+
     entry.put(core_profiles)
     entry.close()
 
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_data_endpoints.py b/backend/tests/test_data_endpoints.py
index 5ddd8f51..723c5d0f 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_data_endpoints.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_data_endpoints.py
@@ -93,13 +93,13 @@ def test_plot_data_2d(entry_path):
     assert time_coordinate["description"] == "Generic time"
 
     dim1_coordinate = response_body["data"]["coordinates"][0]
-    assert dim1_coordinate["name"] == "dim1"
+    assert dim1_coordinate["name"] == "R"  # alias for dim1
     assert dim1_coordinate["target"] == "#core_profiles/profiles_2d[:]/ion[:]/temperature"
     assert dim1_coordinate["shape"] == [5, 3]
     assert dim1_coordinate["path"] == "#core_profiles/profiles_2d[:]/grid/dim1"
 
     dim2_coordinate = response_body["data"]["coordinates"][1]
-    assert dim2_coordinate["name"] == "dim2"
+    assert dim2_coordinate["name"] == "Z"  # alias for dim2
     assert dim2_coordinate["target"] == "#core_profiles/profiles_2d[:]/ion[:]/temperature"
     assert dim2_coordinate["shape"] == [5, 3]
     assert dim2_coordinate["path"] == "#core_profiles/profiles_2d[:]/grid/dim2"
@@ -122,3 +122,28 @@ def test_plot_data_1_N_coord(entry_path):
     assert numeric_coordinate["ndim"] == 1
     assert numeric_coordinate["path"] == ""
     assert numeric_coordinate["description"] == "1...N"
+
+
+def test_plot_data_coordinate_aliases(entry_path):
+
+    parameters = {
+        "uri": f"imas:hdf5?path={entry_path}#core_profiles/profiles_2d[0]/grid/volume_element",
+    }
+    response = pytest.test_client.get("/data/plot_data", params=parameters)
+    response_body = response.json()
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+
+    dim1_coordinate = response_body["data"]["coordinates"][0]
+    assert dim1_coordinate["name"].lower() == "r"
+
+    parameters = {
+        "uri": f"imas:hdf5?path={entry_path}#core_profiles/profiles_2d[1]/grid/volume_element",
+    }
+    response = pytest.test_client.get("/data/plot_data", params=parameters)
+    response_body = response.json()
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+
+    dim1_coordinate = response_body["data"]["coordinates"][0]
+    assert dim1_coordinate["name"].lower() == "rho"