diff --git a/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_leader.cpp b/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_leader.cpp
index 09ad54553..ee09bf138 100644
--- a/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_leader.cpp
+++ b/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_leader.cpp
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ void Leader::UpdateBackboneRouterPrimary(void)
     LogBackboneRouterPrimary(state, mConfig);
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_FTD && OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_BACKBONE_ROUTER_ENABLE
-    Get<BackboneRouter::Local>().UpdateBackboneRouterPrimary(state, mConfig);
+    Get<BackboneRouter::Local>().HandleBackboneRouterPrimaryUpdate(state, mConfig);
 #endif
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.cpp b/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.cpp
index 3414a00a8..0a9d70e40 100644
--- a/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.cpp
+++ b/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.cpp
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ exit:
     return;
 }
 
-void Local::UpdateBackboneRouterPrimary(Leader::State aState, const BackboneRouterConfig &aConfig)
+void Local::HandleBackboneRouterPrimaryUpdate(Leader::State aState, const BackboneRouterConfig &aConfig)
 {
     OT_UNUSED_VARIABLE(aState);
 
diff --git a/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.hpp b/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.hpp
index eb3824240..fc37c9f0b 100644
--- a/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.hpp
+++ b/src/core/backbone_router/bbr_local.hpp
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ public:
      * @param[in]  aConfig  The Primary Backbone Router service.
      *
      */
-    void UpdateBackboneRouterPrimary(Leader::State aState, const BackboneRouterConfig &aConfig);
+    void HandleBackboneRouterPrimaryUpdate(Leader::State aState, const BackboneRouterConfig &aConfig);
 
     /**
      * This method gets the Domain Prefix configuration.