diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a13dfda2..a7757fe2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ A friendly data-driven router for Clojure(Script).
 
 * Simple data-driven [route syntax](https://metosin.github.io/reitit/basics/route_syntax.html)
 * Route [conflict resolution](https://metosin.github.io/reitit/basics/route_conflicts.html)
-* First-class [route meta-data](https://metosin.github.io/reitit/basics/route_data.html)
+* First-class [route data](https://metosin.github.io/reitit/basics/route_data.html)
 * Bi-directional routing
 * [Ring-router](https://metosin.github.io/reitit/ring.html) with data-driven [middleware](https://metosin.github.io/reitit/ring/compiling_middleware.html)
 * [Pluggable coercion](https://metosin.github.io/reitit/ring/parameter_coercion.html) ([clojure.spec](https://clojure.org/about/spec))
@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ Optionally, the parts can be required separately:
 
 (r/match-by-path router "/api/ping")
 ; #Match{:template "/api/ping"
-;        :meta {:name ::ping}
+;        :data {:name ::ping}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {}
 ;        :path "/api/ping"}
 
 (r/match-by-name router ::order {:id 2})
 ; #Match{:template "/api/orders/:id",
-;        :meta {:name ::order},
+;        :data {:name ::order},
 ;        :result nil,
 ;        :params {:id 2},
 ;        :path "/api/orders/2"}
diff --git a/doc/README.md b/doc/README.md
index 24c65430..4dfd2318 100644
--- a/doc/README.md
+++ b/doc/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 * Simple data-driven [route syntax](./basics/route_syntax.md)
 * [Route conflict resolution](./advanced/route_conflicts.md)
-* First-class [route meta-data](./basics/route_data.md)
+* First-class [route data](./basics/route_data.md)
 * Bi-directional routing
 * [Pluggable coercion](./ring/parameter_coercion.md) ([clojure.spec](https://clojure.org/about/spec))
 * supports both [Middleware](./ring/compiling_middleware.md) & Interceptors
@@ -48,14 +48,14 @@ Routing:
 
 (r/match-by-path router "/api/ping")
 ; #Match{:template "/api/ping"
-;        :meta {:name ::ping}
+;        :data {:name ::ping}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {}
 ;        :path "/api/ping"}
 
 (r/match-by-path router "/api/orders/1")
 ; #Match{:template "/api/orders/:id"
-;        :meta {:name ::order-by-id}
+;        :data {:name ::order-by-id}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {:id "1"}
 ;        :path "/api/orders/1"}
@@ -69,14 +69,14 @@ Reverse-routing:
 
 (r/match-by-name router ::ping)
 ; #Match{:template "/api/ping"
-;        :meta {:name ::ping}
+;        :data {:name ::ping}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {}
 ;        :path "/api/ping"}
 
 (r/match-by-name router ::order-by-id)
 ; #PartialMatch{:template "/api/orders/:id"
-;               :meta {:name :user/order-by-id}
+;               :data {:name :user/order-by-id}
 ;               :result nil
 ;               :params nil
 ;               :required #{:id}}
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ Reverse-routing:
 
 (r/match-by-name router ::order-by-id {:id 2})
 ; #Match{:template "/api/orders/:id",
-;        :meta {:name ::order-by-id},
+;        :data {:name ::order-by-id},
 ;        :result nil,
 ;        :params {:id 2},
 ;        :path "/api/orders/2"}
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ Reverse-routing:
 
 (-> app (ring/get-router) (r/match-by-name ::ping))
 ; #Match{:template "/api/ping"
-;        :meta {:middleware [[#object[user$wrap] :api]]
+;        :data {:middleware [[#object[user$wrap] :api]]
 ;               :get {:handler #object[user$handler]}
 ;        :name ::ping}
 ;        :result #Methods{...}
diff --git a/doc/advanced/configuring_routers.md b/doc/advanced/configuring_routers.md
index af3fbfa7..8e6278db 100644
--- a/doc/advanced/configuring_routers.md
+++ b/doc/advanced/configuring_routers.md
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 ## Configuring Routers
 
-Routers can be configured via options. Options allow things like [`clojure.spec`](https://clojure.org/about/spec) validation for meta-data and fast, compiled handlers. The following options are available for the `reitit.core/router`:
+Routers can be configured via options. Options allow things like [`clojure.spec`](https://clojure.org/about/spec) validation for route data and fast, compiled handlers. The following options are available for the `reitit.core/router`:
 
   | key          | description |
   | -------------|-------------|
   | `:path`      | Base-path for routes
   | `:routes`    | Initial resolved routes (default `[]`)
-  | `:meta`      | Initial expanded route-meta vector (default `[]`)
-  | `:expand`    | Function of `arg opts => meta` to expand route arg to route meta-data (default `reitit.core/expand`)
+  | `:data`      | Initial route data (default `{}`)
+  | `:expand`    | Function of `arg opts => data` to expand route arg to route data (default `reitit.core/expand`)
   | `:coerce`    | Function of `route opts => route` to coerce resolved route, can throw or return `nil`
   | `:compile`   | Function of `route opts => result` to compile a route handler
   | `:conflicts` | Function of `{route #{route}} => side-effect` to handle conflicting routes (default `reitit.core/throw-on-conflicts!`)
diff --git a/doc/basics/name_based_routing.md b/doc/basics/name_based_routing.md
index 68950869..ec01783d 100644
--- a/doc/basics/name_based_routing.md
+++ b/doc/basics/name_based_routing.md
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Matching a route:
 ```clj
 (r/match-by-name router ::ping)
 ; #Match{:template "/api/ping"
-;        :meta {:name :user/ping}
+;        :data {:name :user/ping}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {}
 ;        :path "/api/ping"}
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ If not all path-parameters are set, a `PartialMatch` is returned:
 ```clj
 (r/match-by-name router ::user)
 ; #PartialMatch{:template "/api/user/:id",
-;               :meta {:name :user/user},
+;               :data {:name :user/user},
 ;               :result nil,
 ;               :params nil,
 ;               :required #{:id}}
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ With provided path-parameters:
 ```clj
 (r/match-by-name router ::user {:id "1"})
 ; #Match{:template "/api/user/:id"
-;        :meta {:name :user/user}
+;        :data {:name :user/user}
 ;        :path "/api/user/1"
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {:id "1"}}
diff --git a/doc/basics/path_based_routing.md b/doc/basics/path_based_routing.md
index 7f61ef35..44fa8281 100644
--- a/doc/basics/path_based_routing.md
+++ b/doc/basics/path_based_routing.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Match provides the route information:
 ```clj
 (r/match-by-path router "/api/user/1")
 ; #Match{:template "/api/user/:id"
-;        :meta {:name :user/user}
+;        :data {:name :user/user}
 ;        :path "/api/user/1"
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {:id "1"}}
diff --git a/doc/basics/route_data.md b/doc/basics/route_data.md
index 9a013956..cdaa29a2 100644
--- a/doc/basics/route_data.md
+++ b/doc/basics/route_data.md
@@ -26,14 +26,14 @@ The expanded route data can be retrieved from a router with `routes` and is retu
 
 (r/match-by-path router "/ping")
 ; #Match{:template "/ping"
-;        :meta {:name :user/ping}
+;        :data {:name :user/ping}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {}
 ;        :path "/ping"}
 
 (r/match-by-name router ::ping)
 ; #Match{:template "/ping"
-;        :meta {:name :user/ping}
+;        :data {:name :user/ping}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {}
 ;        :path "/ping"}
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ By default, `reitit/Expand` protocol is used to expand the route arguments. It e
 
 (r/match-by-path router "/ping")
 ; #Match{:template "/ping"
-;        :meta {:name :user/ping}
+;        :data {:name :user/ping}
 ;        :result nil
 ;        :params {}
 ;        :path "/ping"}
diff --git a/doc/basics/router.md b/doc/basics/router.md
index 38ecbdda..b98d0ce3 100644
--- a/doc/basics/router.md
+++ b/doc/basics/router.md
@@ -47,4 +47,4 @@ When router is created, the following steps are done:
 * route arguments are expanded (via `reitit.core/Expand` protocol) and optionally coerced
 * [route conflicts](advanced/route_conflicts.md) are resolved
 * actual [router implementation](../advanced/different_routers.md) is selected and created
-* optionally route meta-data gets compiled
+* optionally route data gets compiled
diff --git a/doc/ring/compiling_middleware.md b/doc/ring/compiling_middleware.md
index f5aa643d..19afd272 100644
--- a/doc/ring/compiling_middleware.md
+++ b/doc/ring/compiling_middleware.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ The [dynamic extensions](dynamic_extensions.md) is a easy way to extend the syst
 
 Still, we can do much better. As we know the exact route that middleware/interceptor is linked to, we can pass the (compiled) route information into the middleware/interceptor at creation-time. It can do local reasoning: extract and transform relevant data just for it and pass it into the actual request-handler via a closure - yielding much faster runtime processing. It can also decide not to mount itself by returning `nil`. Why mount a `wrap-enforce-roles` middleware for a route if there are no roles required for it?
 
-To enable this we use [middleware records](data_driven_middleware.md) `:gen-wrap` key instead of the normal `:wrap`. `:gen-wrap` expects a function of `route-meta router-opts => ?wrap`.
+To enable this we use [middleware records](data_driven_middleware.md) `:gen-wrap` key instead of the normal `:wrap`. `:gen-wrap` expects a function of `route-data router-opts => ?wrap`.
 
 To demonstrate the two approaches, below are response coercion middleware written as normal ring middleware function and as middleware record with `:gen-wrap`. Actual codes can be found in [`reitit.ring.coercion`](https://github.com/metosin/reitit/blob/master/src/reitit/ring/coercion.cljc):
 
@@ -16,16 +16,16 @@ To demonstrate the two approaches, below are response coercion middleware writte
 (defn wrap-coerce-response
   "Pluggable response coercion middleware.
   Expects a :coercion of type `reitit.coercion.protocol/Coercion`
-  and :responses from route meta, otherwise will do nothing."
+  and :responses from route data, otherwise will do nothing."
   [handler]
   (fn
     ([request]
      (let [response (handler request)
            method (:request-method request)
            match (ring/get-match request)
-           responses (-> match :result method :meta :responses)
-           coercion (-> match :meta :coercion)
-           opts (-> match :meta :opts)]
+           responses (-> match :result method :data :responses)
+           coercion (-> match :data :coercion)
+           opts (-> match :data :opts)]
        (if (and coercion responses)
          (let [coercers (response-coercers coercion responses opts)]
            (coerce-response coercers request response))
@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ To demonstrate the two approaches, below are response coercion middleware writte
     ([request respond raise]
      (let [method (:request-method request)
            match (ring/get-match request)
-           responses (-> match :result method :meta :responses)
-           coercion (-> match :meta :coercion)
-           opts (-> match :meta :opts)]
+           responses (-> match :result method :data :responses)
+           coercion (-> match :data :coercion)
+           opts (-> match :data :opts)]
        (if (and coercion responses)
          (let [coercers (response-coercers coercion responses opts)]
            (handler request #(respond (coerce-response coercers request %))))
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ To demonstrate the two approaches, below are response coercion middleware writte
 (def gen-wrap-coerce-response
   "Generator for pluggable response coercion middleware.
   Expects a :coercion of type `reitit.coercion.protocol/Coercion`
-  and :responses from route meta, otherwise does not mount."
+  and :responses from route data, otherwise does not mount."
   (middleware/create
     {:name ::coerce-response
      :gen-wrap (fn [{:keys [responses coercion opts]} _]
diff --git a/doc/ring/dynamic_extensions.md b/doc/ring/dynamic_extensions.md
index 4aa7d4c2..faaa573a 100644
--- a/doc/ring/dynamic_extensions.md
+++ b/doc/ring/dynamic_extensions.md
@@ -9,13 +9,13 @@ Example middleware to guard routes based on user roles:
 
 (defn wrap-enforce-roles [handler]
   (fn [{:keys [::roles] :as request}]
-    (let [required (some-> request (ring/get-match) :meta ::roles)]
+    (let [required (some-> request (ring/get-match) :data ::roles)]
       (if (and (seq required) (not (set/subset? required roles)))
         {:status 403, :body "forbidden"}
         (handler request)))))
 ```
 
-Mounted to an app via router meta-data (effecting all routes):
+Mounted to an app via router data (effecting all routes):
 
 ```clj
 (def handler (constantly {:status 200, :body "ok"}))
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ Mounted to an app via router meta-data (effecting all routes):
         ["/ping" handler]
         ["/admin" {::roles #{:admin}}
          ["/ping" handler]]]]
-      {:meta {:middleware [wrap-enforce-roles]}})))
+      {:data {:middleware [wrap-enforce-roles]}})))
 ```
 
 Anonymous access to public route:
diff --git a/doc/ring/parameter_coercion.md b/doc/ring/parameter_coercion.md
index 73b73f84..10b20d6b 100644
--- a/doc/ring/parameter_coercion.md
+++ b/doc/ring/parameter_coercion.md
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ Reitit provides pluggable parameter coercion via `reitit.ring.coercion.protocol/
 
 To use `Coercion` with Ring, one needs to do the following:
 
-1. Define parameters and responses as data into route meta-data, in format adopted from [ring-swagger](https://github.com/metosin/ring-swagger#more-complete-example):
+1. Define parameters and responses as data into route data, in format adopted from [ring-swagger](https://github.com/metosin/ring-swagger#more-complete-example):
   * `:parameters` map, with submaps for different parameters: `:query`, `:body`, `:form`, `:header` and `:path`. Parameters are defined in the format understood by the `Coercion`.
   * `:responses` map, with response status codes as keys (or `:default` for "everything else") with maps with `:schema` and optionally `:description` as values.
-2. Define a `Coercion` to route meta-data under `:coercion`
+2. Define a `Coercion` to route data under `:coercion`
 3. Mount request & response coercion middleware to the routes (recommended to mount to all routes under router as they mounted only to routes which have the parameters / responses defined):
   * `reitit.ring.coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters`
   * `gen-wrap-coerce-parameters/gen-wrap-coerce-responses`
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ If either request or response coercion fails, an descriptive error is thrown.
                  :get {:handler (fn [{{{:keys [x y]} :body} :parameters}]
                                   {:status 200
                                    :body {:total (+ x y)}})}}]]
-      {:meta {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
+      {:data {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
                            coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-response]
               :coercion spec/coercion}})))
 ```
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ Currently, `clojure.spec` [doesn't support runtime transformations via conformin
                  :get {:handler (fn [{{{:keys [x y]} :body} :parameters}]
                                   {:status 200
                                    :body {:total (+ x y)}})}}]]
-      {:meta {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
+      {:data {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
                            coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-response]
               :coercion spec/coercion}})))
 ```
diff --git a/doc/ring/ring.md b/doc/ring/ring.md
index 4c0b6cad..6edb781a 100644
--- a/doc/ring/ring.md
+++ b/doc/ring/ring.md
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ The expanded routes shows the compilation results:
 (-> app (ring/get-router) (reitit/routes))
 ; [["/ping"
 ;   {:handler #object[...]}
-;   #Methods{:any #Endpoint{:meta {:handler #object[...]},
+;   #Methods{:any #Endpoint{:data {:handler #object[...]},
 ;                           :handler #object[...],
 ;                           :middleware []}}]]
 ```
diff --git a/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/core.cljc b/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/core.cljc
index afeae96a..9339f405 100644
--- a/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/core.cljc
+++ b/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/core.cljc
@@ -30,36 +30,36 @@
   nil
   (expand [_ _]))
 
-(defn walk [data {:keys [path meta routes expand]
-                  :or {meta [], routes [], expand expand}
-                  :as opts}]
+(defn walk [raw-routes {:keys [path data routes expand]
+                        :or {data [], routes [], expand expand}
+                        :as opts}]
   (letfn
     [(walk-many [p m r]
        (reduce #(into %1 (walk-one p m %2)) [] r))
      (walk-one [pacc macc routes]
        (if (vector? (first routes))
          (walk-many pacc macc routes)
-         (let [[path & [maybe-meta :as args]] routes
-               [meta childs] (if (vector? maybe-meta)
+         (let [[path & [maybe-arg :as args]] routes
+               [data childs] (if (vector? maybe-arg)
                                [{} args]
-                               [maybe-meta (rest args)])
-               macc (into macc (expand meta opts))]
+                               [maybe-arg (rest args)])
+               macc (into macc (expand data opts))]
            (if (seq childs)
              (walk-many (str pacc path) macc childs)
              [[(str pacc path) macc]]))))]
-    (walk-one path (mapv identity meta) data)))
+    (walk-one path (mapv identity data) raw-routes)))
 
-(defn map-meta [f routes]
+(defn map-data [f routes]
   (mapv #(update % 1 f) routes))
 
-(defn merge-meta [x]
+(defn merge-data [x]
   (reduce
     (fn [acc [k v]]
       (meta-merge acc {k v}))
     {} x))
 
-(defn resolve-routes [data {:keys [coerce] :as opts}]
-  (cond->> (->> (walk data opts) (map-meta merge-meta))
+(defn resolve-routes [raw-routes {:keys [coerce] :as opts}]
+  (cond->> (->> (walk raw-routes opts) (map-data merge-data))
            coerce (into [] (keep #(coerce % opts)))))
 
 ;; This whole function might be more efficient and easier to understand with transducers.
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
   (into [] (keep #(compile-route % opts) routes)))
 
 (defn route-info [route]
-  (select-keys (impl/create route) [:path :parts :params :result :meta]))
+  (select-keys (impl/create route) [:path :parts :params :result :data]))
 
 (defprotocol Router
   (router-name [this])
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@
 (defn router? [x]
   (satisfies? Router x))
 
-(defrecord Match [template meta result params path])
-(defrecord PartialMatch [template meta result params required])
+(defrecord Match [template data result params path])
+(defrecord PartialMatch [template data result params required])
 
 (defn partial-match? [x]
   (instance? PartialMatch x))
@@ -144,16 +144,16 @@
   ([routes opts]
    (let [compiled (compile-routes routes opts)
          names (find-names routes opts)
-         [data lookup] (reduce
-                         (fn [[data lookup] [p {:keys [name] :as meta} result]]
-                           (let [{:keys [params] :as route} (impl/create [p meta result])
-                                 f #(if-let [path (impl/path-for route %)]
-                                      (->Match p meta result % path)
-                                      (->PartialMatch p meta result % params))]
-                             [(conj data route)
-                              (if name (assoc lookup name f) lookup)]))
-                         [[] {}] compiled)
-         lookup (impl/fast-map lookup)]
+         [pl nl] (reduce
+                   (fn [[pl nl] [p {:keys [name] :as data} result]]
+                     (let [{:keys [params] :as route} (impl/create [p data result])
+                           f #(if-let [path (impl/path-for route %)]
+                                (->Match p data result % path)
+                                (->PartialMatch p data result % params))]
+                       [(conj pl route)
+                        (if name (assoc nl name f) nl)]))
+                   [[] {}] compiled)
+         lookup (impl/fast-map nl)]
      (reify
        Router
        (router-name [_]
@@ -168,8 +168,8 @@
          (reduce
            (fn [acc ^Route route]
              (if-let [params ((:matcher route) path)]
-               (reduced (->Match (:path route) (:meta route) (:result route) params path))))
-           nil data))
+               (reduced (->Match (:path route) (:data route) (:result route) params path))))
+           nil pl))
        (match-by-name [_ name]
          (if-let [match (impl/fast-get lookup name)]
            (match nil)))
@@ -191,14 +191,14 @@
           :routes routes})))
    (let [compiled (compile-routes routes opts)
          names (find-names routes opts)
-         [data lookup] (reduce
-                         (fn [[data lookup] [p {:keys [name] :as meta} result]]
-                           [(assoc data p (->Match p meta result {} p))
-                            (if name
-                              (assoc lookup name #(->Match p meta result % p))
-                              lookup)]) [{} {}] compiled)
-         data (impl/fast-map data)
-         lookup (impl/fast-map lookup)]
+         [pl nl] (reduce
+                   (fn [[pl nl] [p {:keys [name] :as data} result]]
+                     [(assoc pl p (->Match p data result {} p))
+                      (if name
+                        (assoc nl name #(->Match p data result % p))
+                        nl)]) [{} {}] compiled)
+         data (impl/fast-map pl)
+         lookup (impl/fast-map nl)]
      (reify Router
        (router-name [_]
          :lookup-router)
@@ -225,16 +225,16 @@
   ([routes opts]
    (let [compiled (compile-routes routes opts)
          names (find-names routes opts)
-         [node lookup] (reduce
-                         (fn [[node lookup] [p {:keys [name] :as meta} result]]
-                           (let [{:keys [params] :as route} (impl/create [p meta result])
-                                 f #(if-let [path (impl/path-for route %)]
-                                      (->Match p meta result % path)
-                                      (->PartialMatch p meta result % params))]
-                             [(trie/insert node p (->Match p meta result nil nil))
-                              (if name (assoc lookup name f) lookup)]))
-                         [nil {}] compiled)
-         lookup (impl/fast-map lookup)]
+         [pl nl] (reduce
+                   (fn [[pl nl] [p {:keys [name] :as data} result]]
+                     (let [{:keys [params] :as route} (impl/create [p data result])
+                           f #(if-let [path (impl/path-for route %)]
+                                (->Match p data result % path)
+                                (->PartialMatch p data result % params))]
+                       [(trie/insert pl p (->Match p data result nil nil))
+                        (if name (assoc nl name f) nl)]))
+                   [nil {}] compiled)
+         lookup (impl/fast-map nl)]
      (reify
        Router
        (router-name [_]
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@
        (route-names [_]
          names)
        (match-by-path [_ path]
-         (if-let [match (trie/lookup node path {})]
+         (if-let [match (trie/lookup pl path {})]
            (-> (:data match)
                (assoc :params (:params match))
                (assoc :path path))))
@@ -269,9 +269,9 @@
          (str ":single-static-path-router requires exactly 1 static route: " routes)
          {:routes routes})))
    (let [[n :as names] (find-names routes opts)
-         [[p meta result] :as compiled] (compile-routes routes opts)
+         [[p data result] :as compiled] (compile-routes routes opts)
          p #?(:clj (.intern ^String p) :cljs p)
-         match (->Match p meta result {} p)]
+         match (->Match p data result {} p)]
      (reify Router
        (router-name [_]
          :single-static-path-router)
@@ -333,17 +333,17 @@
   | -------------|-------------|
   | `:path`      | Base-path for routes
   | `:routes`    | Initial resolved routes (default `[]`)
-  | `:meta`      | Initial route meta (default `{}`)
-  | `:expand`    | Function of `arg opts => meta` to expand route arg to route meta-data (default `reitit.core/expand`)
+  | `:data`      | Initial route data (default `{}`)
+  | `:expand`    | Function of `arg opts => data` to expand route arg to route data (default `reitit.core/expand`)
   | `:coerce`    | Function of `route opts => route` to coerce resolved route, can throw or return `nil`
   | `:compile`   | Function of `route opts => result` to compile a route handler
   | `:conflicts` | Function of `{route #{route}} => side-effect` to handle conflicting routes (default `reitit.core/throw-on-conflicts!`)
   | `:router`    | Function of `routes opts => router` to override the actual router implementation"
-  ([data]
-   (router data {}))
-  ([data opts]
+  ([raw-routes]
+   (router raw-routes {}))
+  ([raw-routes opts]
    (let [{:keys [router] :as opts} (meta-merge default-router-options opts)
-         routes (resolve-routes data opts)
+         routes (resolve-routes raw-routes opts)
          conflicting (conflicting-routes routes)
          wilds? (boolean (some impl/wild-route? routes))
          all-wilds? (every? impl/wild-route? routes)
diff --git a/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/impl.cljc b/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/impl.cljc
index 5694336f..70c44fe8 100644
--- a/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/impl.cljc
+++ b/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/impl.cljc
@@ -111,9 +111,9 @@
 ;; Routing (c) Metosin
 ;;
 
-(defrecord Route [path matcher parts params meta result])
+(defrecord Route [path matcher parts params data result])
 
-(defn create [[path meta result]]
+(defn create [[path data result]]
   (let [path #?(:clj (.intern ^String path) :cljs path)]
     (as-> (parse-path path) $
           (assoc $ :path-re (path-regex $))
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
                                (path-matcher $)
                                #(if (#?(:clj .equals, :cljs =) path %) {}))
                     :result result
-                    :meta meta})
+                    :data data})
           (dissoc $ :path-re :path-constraints)
           (update $ :path-params set)
           (set/rename-keys $ {:path-parts :parts
diff --git a/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/spec.cljc b/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/spec.cljc
index b5457e42..0538ecad 100644
--- a/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/spec.cljc
+++ b/modules/reitit-core/src/reitit/spec.cljc
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
                           #(gen/fmap (fn [s] (str "/" s)) (s/gen string?))))
 
 (s/def ::arg (s/and any? (complement vector?)))
-(s/def ::meta (s/map-of keyword? any?))
+(s/def ::data (s/map-of keyword? any?))
 (s/def ::result any?)
 
 (s/def ::raw-route
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
 (s/def ::route
   (s/cat :path ::path
-         :meta ::meta
+         :data ::data
          :result (s/? any?)))
 
 (s/def ::routes
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 (s/def ::router reitit/router?)
 (s/def :reitit.router/path ::path)
 (s/def :reitit.router/routes ::routes)
-(s/def :reitit.router/meta ::meta)
+(s/def :reitit.router/data ::data)
 (s/def :reitit.router/expand fn?)
 (s/def :reitit.router/coerce fn?)
 (s/def :reitit.router/compile fn?)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
   (s/nilable
     (s/keys :opt-un [:reitit.router/path
                      :reitit.router/routes
-                     :reitit.router/meta
+                     :reitit.router/data
                      :reitit.router/expand
                      :reitit.router/coerce
                      :reitit.router/compile
diff --git a/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring.cljc b/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring.cljc
index 9327be26..28352cc9 100644
--- a/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring.cljc
+++ b/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring.cljc
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@
 (def http-methods #{:get :head :patch :delete :options :post :put})
 (defrecord Methods [get head post put delete trace options connect patch any])
 
-(defn- group-keys [meta]
+(defn- group-keys [data]
   (reduce-kv
     (fn [[top childs] k v]
       (if (http-methods k)
         [top (assoc childs k v)]
-        [(assoc top k v) childs])) [{} {}] meta))
+        [(assoc top k v) childs])) [{} {}] data))
 
 (defn ring-handler
   "Creates a ring-handler out of a ring-router.
@@ -50,23 +50,23 @@
 (defn get-match [request]
   (::match request))
 
-(defn coerce-handler [[path meta] {:keys [expand] :as opts}]
+(defn coerce-handler [[path data] {:keys [expand] :as opts}]
   [path (reduce
           (fn [acc method]
             (if (contains? acc method)
               (update acc method expand opts)
-              acc)) meta http-methods)])
+              acc)) data http-methods)])
 
-(defn compile-result [[path meta] opts]
-  (let [[top childs] (group-keys meta)]
+(defn compile-result [[path data] opts]
+  (let [[top childs] (group-keys data)]
     (if-not (seq childs)
       (let [middleware (middleware/compile-result [path top] opts)]
         (map->Methods {:any (middleware/compile-result [path top] opts)}))
-      (let [any-handler (if (:handler top) (middleware/compile-result [path meta] opts))]
+      (let [any-handler (if (:handler top) (middleware/compile-result [path data] opts))]
         (reduce-kv
-          (fn [acc method meta]
-            (let [meta (meta-merge top meta)]
-              (assoc acc method (middleware/compile-result [path meta] opts method))))
+          (fn [acc method data]
+            (let [data (meta-merge top data)]
+              (assoc acc method (middleware/compile-result [path data] opts method))))
           (map->Methods {:any any-handler})
           childs)))))
 
diff --git a/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/coercion.cljc b/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/coercion.cljc
index 9e51dd7b..1a394558 100644
--- a/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/coercion.cljc
+++ b/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/coercion.cljc
@@ -107,14 +107,14 @@
 (defn wrap-coerce-parameters
   "Pluggable request coercion middleware.
   Expects a :coercion of type `reitit.coercion.protocol/Coercion`
-  and :parameters from route meta, otherwise will do nothing."
+  and :parameters from route data, otherwise will do nothing."
   [handler]
   (fn
     ([request]
      (let [method (:request-method request)
            match (ring/get-match request)
-           parameters (-> match :result method :meta :parameters)
-           coercion (-> match :meta :coercion)]
+           parameters (-> match :result method :data :parameters)
+           coercion (-> match :data :coercion)]
        (if (and coercion parameters)
          (let [coercers (request-coercers coercion parameters)
                coerced (coerce-parameters coercers request)]
@@ -123,8 +123,8 @@
     ([request respond raise]
      (let [method (:request-method request)
            match (ring/get-match request)
-           parameters (-> match :result method :meta :parameters)
-           coercion (-> match :meta :coercion)]
+           parameters (-> match :result method :data :parameters)
+           coercion (-> match :data :coercion)]
        (if (and coercion parameters)
          (let [coercers (request-coercers coercion parameters)
                coerced (coerce-parameters coercers request)]
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
 (def gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
   "Generator for pluggable request coercion middleware.
   Expects a :coercion of type `reitit.coercion.protocol/Coercion`
-  and :parameters from route meta, otherwise does not mount."
+  and :parameters from route data, otherwise does not mount."
   (middleware/create
     {:name ::coerce-parameters
      :gen-wrap (fn [{:keys [parameters coercion]} _]
@@ -151,16 +151,16 @@
 (defn wrap-coerce-response
   "Pluggable response coercion middleware.
   Expects a :coercion of type `reitit.coercion.protocol/Coercion`
-  and :responses from route meta, otherwise will do nothing."
+  and :responses from route data, otherwise will do nothing."
   [handler]
   (fn
     ([request]
      (let [response (handler request)
            method (:request-method request)
            match (ring/get-match request)
-           responses (-> match :result method :meta :responses)
-           coercion (-> match :meta :coercion)
-           opts (-> match :meta :opts)]
+           responses (-> match :result method :data :responses)
+           coercion (-> match :data :coercion)
+           opts (-> match :data :opts)]
        (if (and coercion responses)
          (let [coercers (response-coercers coercion responses opts)]
            (coerce-response coercers request response))
@@ -168,9 +168,9 @@
     ([request respond raise]
      (let [method (:request-method request)
            match (ring/get-match request)
-           responses (-> match :result method :meta :responses)
-           coercion (-> match :meta :coercion)
-           opts (-> match :meta :opts)]
+           responses (-> match :result method :data :responses)
+           coercion (-> match :data :coercion)
+           opts (-> match :data :opts)]
        (if (and coercion responses)
          (let [coercers (response-coercers coercion responses opts)]
            (handler request #(respond (coerce-response coercers request %))))
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
 (def gen-wrap-coerce-response
   "Generator for pluggable response coercion middleware.
   Expects a :coercion of type `reitit.coercion.protocol/Coercion`
-  and :responses from route meta, otherwise does not mount."
+  and :responses from route data, otherwise does not mount."
   (middleware/create
     {:name ::coerce-response
      :gen-wrap (fn [{:keys [responses coercion opts]} _]
diff --git a/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/middleware.cljc b/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/middleware.cljc
index 26984f1e..f76e8045 100644
--- a/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/middleware.cljc
+++ b/modules/reitit-ring/src/reitit/ring/middleware.cljc
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
             [reitit.core :as r]))
 
 (defprotocol IntoMiddleware
-  (into-middleware [this meta opts]))
+  (into-middleware [this data opts]))
 
 (defrecord Middleware [name wrap])
-(defrecord Endpoint [meta handler middleware])
+(defrecord Endpoint [data handler middleware])
 
 (defn create [{:keys [name wrap gen-wrap] :as m}]
   (when (and wrap gen-wrap)
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
 
   #?(:clj  clojure.lang.APersistentVector
      :cljs cljs.core.PersistentVector)
-  (into-middleware [[f & args] meta opts]
-    (if-let [{:keys [wrap] :as mw} (into-middleware f meta opts)]
+  (into-middleware [[f & args] data opts]
+    (if-let [{:keys [wrap] :as mw} (into-middleware f data opts)]
       (assoc mw :wrap #(apply wrap % args))))
 
   #?(:clj  clojure.lang.Fn
@@ -31,19 +31,19 @@
 
   #?(:clj  clojure.lang.PersistentArrayMap
      :cljs cljs.core.PersistentArrayMap)
-  (into-middleware [this meta opts]
-    (into-middleware (create this) meta opts))
+  (into-middleware [this data opts]
+    (into-middleware (create this) data opts))
 
   #?(:clj  clojure.lang.PersistentHashMap
      :cljs cljs.core.PersistentHashMap)
-  (into-middleware [this meta opts]
-    (into-middleware (create this) meta opts))
+  (into-middleware [this data opts]
+    (into-middleware (create this) data opts))
 
   Middleware
-  (into-middleware [{:keys [wrap gen-wrap] :as this} meta opts]
+  (into-middleware [{:keys [wrap gen-wrap] :as this} data opts]
     (if-not gen-wrap
       this
-      (if-let [wrap (gen-wrap meta opts)]
+      (if-let [wrap (gen-wrap data opts)]
         (map->Middleware
           (-> this
               (dissoc :gen-wrap)
@@ -52,17 +52,17 @@
   nil
   (into-middleware [_ _ _]))
 
-(defn- ensure-handler! [path meta scope]
-  (when-not (:handler meta)
+(defn- ensure-handler! [path data scope]
+  (when-not (:handler data)
     (throw (ex-info
              (str "path \"" path "\" doesn't have a :handler defined"
                   (if scope (str " for " scope)))
-             (merge {:path path, :meta meta}
+             (merge {:path path, :data data}
                     (if scope {:scope scope}))))))
 
-(defn expand [middleware meta opts]
+(defn expand [middleware data opts]
   (->> middleware
-       (keep #(into-middleware % meta opts))
+       (keep #(into-middleware % data opts))
        (into [])))
 
 (defn compile-handler [middleware handler]
@@ -78,13 +78,13 @@
 (defn compile-result
   ([route opts]
    (compile-result route opts nil))
-  ([[path {:keys [middleware handler] :as meta}] opts scope]
-   (ensure-handler! path meta scope)
-   (let [middleware (expand middleware meta opts)]
+  ([[path {:keys [middleware handler] :as data}] opts scope]
+   (ensure-handler! path data scope)
+   (let [middleware (expand middleware data opts)]
      (map->Endpoint
        {:handler (compile-handler middleware handler)
         :middleware middleware
-        :meta meta}))))
+        :data data}))))
 
 (defn router
   ([data]
diff --git a/perf-test/clj/reitit/coercion_perf_test.clj b/perf-test/clj/reitit/coercion_perf_test.clj
index 1376258a..537605a4 100644
--- a/perf-test/clj/reitit/coercion_perf_test.clj
+++ b/perf-test/clj/reitit/coercion_perf_test.clj
@@ -101,23 +101,23 @@
           app (ring/ring-handler
                 (ring/router
                   routes
-                  {:meta {:middleware [coercion/wrap-coerce-parameters]
+                  {:data {:middleware [coercion/wrap-coerce-parameters]
                           :coercion coercion}}))
           app2 (ring/ring-handler
                  (ring/router
                    routes
-                   {:meta {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters]
+                   {:data {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters]
                            :coercion coercion}}))
           app3 (ring/ring-handler
                  (ring/router
                    routes
-                   {:meta {:middleware [coercion/wrap-coerce-parameters
+                   {:data {:middleware [coercion/wrap-coerce-parameters
                                         coercion/wrap-coerce-response]
                            :coercion coercion}}))
           app4 (ring/ring-handler
                  (ring/router
                    routes
-                   {:meta {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
+                   {:data {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
                                         coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-response]
                            :coercion coercion}}))
           req {:request-method :get
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@
                      :get {:handler (fn [{{{:keys [x y]} :body} :parameters}]
                                       {:status 200
                                        :body {:total (+ x y)}})}}]]
-          {:meta {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
+          {:data {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
                                coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-response]
                   :coercion spec/coercion}})))
 
diff --git a/test/cljc/reitit/coercion_test.cljc b/test/cljc/reitit/coercion_test.cljc
index 1873ca57..ea4dfd19 100644
--- a/test/cljc/reitit/coercion_test.cljc
+++ b/test/cljc/reitit/coercion_test.cljc
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
                                          {:keys [e]} :path} :parameters}]
                                     {:status 200
                                      :body {:total (+ a b c d e)}})}}]]
-                {:meta {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
+                {:data {:middleware [coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-parameters
                                      coercion/gen-wrap-coerce-response]
                         :coercion spec/coercion}}))]
 
diff --git a/test/cljc/reitit/core_test.cljc b/test/cljc/reitit/core_test.cljc
index 5e770e1f..b9442546 100644
--- a/test/cljc/reitit/core_test.cljc
+++ b/test/cljc/reitit/core_test.cljc
@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@
         (is (= true (map? (r/options router))))
         (is (= (r/map->Match
                  {:template "/api/ipa/:size"
-                  :meta {:name ::beer}
+                  :data {:name ::beer}
                   :path "/api/ipa/large"
                   :params {:size "large"}})
                (r/match-by-path router "/api/ipa/large")))
         (is (= (r/map->Match
                  {:template "/api/ipa/:size"
-                  :meta {:name ::beer}
+                  :data {:name ::beer}
                   :path "/api/ipa/large"
                   :params {:size "large"}})
                (r/match-by-name router ::beer {:size "large"})))
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
         (testing "name-based routing with missing parameters"
           (is (= (r/map->PartialMatch
                    {:template "/api/ipa/:size"
-                    :meta {:name ::beer}
+                    :data {:name ::beer}
                     :required #{:size}
                     :params nil})
                  (r/match-by-name router ::beer)))
@@ -55,13 +55,13 @@
         (is (= true (map? (r/options router))))
         (is (= (r/map->Match
                  {:template "/api/ipa/large"
-                  :meta {:name ::beer}
+                  :data {:name ::beer}
                   :path "/api/ipa/large"
                   :params {}})
                (r/match-by-path router "/api/ipa/large")))
         (is (= (r/map->Match
                  {:template "/api/ipa/large"
-                  :meta {:name ::beer}
+                  :data {:name ::beer}
                   :path "/api/ipa/large"
                   :params {:size "large"}})
                (r/match-by-name router ::beer {:size "large"})))
@@ -86,10 +86,10 @@
 
     (testing "custom compile"
       (let [compile-times (atom 0)
-            coerce (fn [[path meta] _]
-                     (if-not (:invalid? meta)
-                       [path (assoc meta :path path)]))
-            compile (fn [[path meta] _]
+            coerce (fn [[path data] _]
+                     (if-not (:invalid? data)
+                       [path (assoc data :path path)]))
+            compile (fn [[path data] _]
                       (swap! compile-times inc)
                       (constantly path))
             router (r/router
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@
       (is (= expected (r/resolve-routes routes {})))
       (is (= (r/map->Match
                {:template "/api/user/:id/:sub-id"
-                :meta {:mw [:api], :parameters {:id "String", :sub-id "String"}}
+                :data {:mw [:api], :parameters {:id "String", :sub-id "String"}}
                 :path "/api/user/1/2"
                 :params {:id "1", :sub-id "2"}})
              (r/match-by-path router "/api/user/1/2"))))))
diff --git a/test/cljc/reitit/middleware_test.cljc b/test/cljc/reitit/middleware_test.cljc
index 98372f08..3a66de61 100644
--- a/test/cljc/reitit/middleware_test.cljc
+++ b/test/cljc/reitit/middleware_test.cljc
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
                      [value request]))
             ->app (fn [ast handler]
                     (middleware/compile-handler
-                      (middleware/expand ast :meta {})
+                      (middleware/expand ast :data {})
                       handler))]
 
         (testing "as middleware function"
@@ -74,29 +74,29 @@
 
     (testing "compiled Middleware"
       (let [calls (atom 0)
-            mw {:gen-wrap (fn [meta _]
+            mw {:gen-wrap (fn [data _]
                             (swap! calls inc)
                             (fn [handler value]
                               (swap! calls inc)
                               (fn [request]
-                                [meta value request])))}
+                                [data value request])))}
             ->app (fn [ast handler]
                     (middleware/compile-handler
-                      (middleware/expand ast :meta {})
+                      (middleware/expand ast :data {})
                       handler))]
 
         (testing "as map"
           (reset! calls 0)
           (let [app (->app [[mw :value]] identity)]
             (dotimes [_ 10]
-              (is (= [:meta :value :request] (app :request)))
+              (is (= [:data :value :request] (app :request)))
               (is (= 2 @calls)))))
 
         (testing "as Middleware"
           (reset! calls 0)
           (let [app (->app [[(middleware/create mw) :value]] identity)]
             (dotimes [_ 10]
-              (is (= [:meta :value :request] (app :request)))
+              (is (= [:data :value :request] (app :request)))
               (is (= 2 @calls)))))
 
         (testing "nil unmounts the middleware"
@@ -169,3 +169,4 @@
                                       :result
                                       :middleware
                                       (map :name))))))))))
+
diff --git a/test/cljc/reitit/ring_test.cljc b/test/cljc/reitit/ring_test.cljc
index c6979441..6e3591e1 100644
--- a/test/cljc/reitit/ring_test.cljc
+++ b/test/cljc/reitit/ring_test.cljc
@@ -102,16 +102,16 @@
 
       (testing "all named routes can be matched"
         (doseq [name (r/route-names router)]
-          (is (= name (-> (r/match-by-name router name) :meta :name))))))))
+          (is (= name (-> (r/match-by-name router name) :data :name))))))))
 
 (defn wrap-enforce-roles [handler]
   (fn [{:keys [::roles] :as request}]
-    (let [required (some-> request (ring/get-match) :meta ::roles)]
+    (let [required (some-> request (ring/get-match) :data ::roles)]
       (if (and (seq required) (not (set/intersection required roles)))
         {:status 403, :body "forbidden"}
         (handler request)))))
 
-(deftest enforcing-meta-data-rules-at-runtime-test
+(deftest enforcing-data-rules-at-runtime-test
   (let [handler (constantly {:status 200, :body "ok"})
         app (ring/ring-handler
               (ring/router
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@
                   ["/ping" handler]
                   ["/admin" {::roles #{:admin}}
                    ["/ping" handler]]]]
-                {:meta {:middleware [wrap-enforce-roles]}}))]
+                {:data {:middleware [wrap-enforce-roles]}}))]
 
     (testing "public handler"
       (is (= {:status 200, :body "ok"}
diff --git a/test/cljc/reitit/spec_test.cljc b/test/cljc/reitit/spec_test.cljc
index 2330cb79..ece98bd1 100644
--- a/test/cljc/reitit/spec_test.cljc
+++ b/test/cljc/reitit/spec_test.cljc
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
           ;; path
           [:invalid {}]
 
-          ;; vector meta
+          ;; vector data
           ["/api" []
            ["/ipa"]])))
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
         (is (= true (r/router? (r/router ["/api"] opts))))
 
         {:path "/"}
-        {:meta {}}
+        {:data {}}
         {:expand (fn [_ _] {})}
         {:coerce (fn [route _] route)}
         {:compile (fn [_ _])}
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
 
         {:path "api"}
         {:path nil}
-        {:meta nil}
+        {:data nil}
         {:expand nil}
         {:coerce nil}
         {:compile nil}