Full Idea
In practice, definite descriptions are for the most part treated as names, since this is by far the most convenient notation (even though they have scope). ..When a description is uniquely satisfied then it does behave like a name.
Gist of Idea
Definite descriptions are usually treated like names, and are just like them if they uniquely refer
Source
David Bostock (Intermediate Logic [1997], 8.3)
Book Reference
Bostock,David: 'Intermediate Logic' [OUP 1997], p.347
A Reaction
Apparent names themselves have problems when they wander away from uniquely picking out one thing, as in 'John Doe'.
Related Idea
Idea 13816 Because of scope problems, definite descriptions are best treated as quantifiers [Bostock]