diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
index 2e4e57e15a..f3dd50602c 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin : public OpenGLDisplayPlugin {
     Q_OBJECT
     using Parent = OpenGLDisplayPlugin;
 public:
-    virtual const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    virtual const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
 
     virtual float getTargetFrameRate() const override { return  _framerateTarget ? (float) _framerateTarget : TARGET_FRAMERATE_Basic2DWindowOpenGL; }
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h
index 1852ed53ee..1da0441d8f 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 class NullDisplayPlugin : public DisplayPlugin {
 public:
     ~NullDisplayPlugin() final {}
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
     grouping getGrouping() const override { return DEVELOPER; }
 
     glm::uvec2 getRecommendedRenderSize() const override;
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/DebugHmdDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/DebugHmdDisplayPlugin.h
index 509e13eda7..9bb82b1836 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/DebugHmdDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/DebugHmdDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class DebugHmdDisplayPlugin : public HmdDisplayPlugin {
     using Parent = HmdDisplayPlugin;
 
 public:
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
     grouping getGrouping() const override { return DEVELOPER; }
 
     bool isSupported() const override;
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/InterleavedStereoDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/InterleavedStereoDisplayPlugin.h
index 8c3ebcaa6d..debd340f24 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/InterleavedStereoDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/InterleavedStereoDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class InterleavedStereoDisplayPlugin : public StereoDisplayPlugin {
     Q_OBJECT
     using Parent = StereoDisplayPlugin;
 public:
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
     grouping getGrouping() const override { return ADVANCED; }
     glm::uvec2 getRecommendedRenderSize() const override;
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.h
index d4d20243ea..79bf2a9ecb 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin : public StereoDisplayPlugin {
     Q_OBJECT
     using Parent = StereoDisplayPlugin;
 public:
-    virtual const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    virtual const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
     virtual grouping getGrouping() const override { return ADVANCED; }
     virtual glm::uvec2 getRecommendedRenderSize() const override;
 
diff --git a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.cpp b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.cpp
index c1f764f5fa..39371cc3e3 100755
--- a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.cpp
+++ b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 #include <PathUtils.h>
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
 
-const QString KeyboardMouseDevice::NAME = "Keyboard/Mouse";
+const char* KeyboardMouseDevice::NAME = "Keyboard/Mouse";
 bool KeyboardMouseDevice::_enableTouch = true;
 
 void KeyboardMouseDevice::pluginUpdate(float deltaTime, const controller::InputCalibrationData& inputCalibrationData) {
diff --git a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.h b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.h
index 8177c9bcc0..399ca4e93d 100644
--- a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.h
+++ b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.h
@@ -52,21 +52,21 @@ public:
         MOUSE_AXIS_WHEEL_X_POS,
         MOUSE_AXIS_WHEEL_X_NEG,
     };
-        
+
     enum TouchAxisChannel {
         TOUCH_AXIS_X_POS = MOUSE_AXIS_WHEEL_X_NEG + 1,
         TOUCH_AXIS_X_NEG,
         TOUCH_AXIS_Y_POS,
         TOUCH_AXIS_Y_NEG,
     };
-        
+
     enum TouchButtonChannel {
         TOUCH_BUTTON_PRESS = TOUCH_AXIS_Y_NEG + 1,
     };
 
     // Plugin functions
     bool isSupported() const override { return true; }
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
 
     bool isHandController() const override { return false; }
 
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ public:
     void wheelEvent(QWheelEvent* event);
 
     static void enableTouch(bool enableTouch) { _enableTouch = enableTouch; }
-    
-    static const QString NAME;
+
+    static const char* NAME;
 
 protected:
 
diff --git a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.cpp b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.cpp
index 64f02b5df3..20952df4d7 100644
--- a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.cpp
+++ b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 #include <PathUtils.h>
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
 
-const QString TouchscreenDevice::NAME = "Touchscreen";
+const char* TouchscreenDevice::NAME = "Touchscreen";
 
 bool TouchscreenDevice::isSupported() const {
     for (auto touchDevice : QTouchDevice::devices()) {
diff --git a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.h b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.h
index 7bfaa23be8..65e771e8f0 100644
--- a/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.h
+++ b/libraries/input-plugins/src/input-plugins/TouchscreenDevice.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class QGestureEvent;
 class TouchscreenDevice : public InputPlugin {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-        
+
     enum TouchAxisChannel {
         TOUCH_AXIS_X_POS = 0,
         TOUCH_AXIS_X_NEG,
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public:
 
     // Plugin functions
     virtual bool isSupported() const override;
-    virtual const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    virtual const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
 
     bool isHandController() const override { return false; }
 
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ public:
     void touchEndEvent(const QTouchEvent* event);
     void touchUpdateEvent(const QTouchEvent* event);
     void touchGestureEvent(const QGestureEvent* event);
-    
-    static const QString NAME;
+
+    static const char* NAME;
 
 protected:
 
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp
index 7c30f252c9..58c71aa97c 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 //
 #include "Plugin.h"
 
-QString Plugin::UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID("unknown");
+const char* Plugin::UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID { "unknown" };
 
 void Plugin::setContainer(PluginContainer* container) {
     _container = container;
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h
index 0452c7fbfe..15588fafa4 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class Plugin : public QObject {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     /// \return human-readable name
-    virtual const QString& getName() const = 0;
+    virtual const QString getName() const = 0;
 
     typedef enum { STANDARD, ADVANCED, DEVELOPER } grouping;
 
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@ public:
     virtual grouping getGrouping() const { return STANDARD; }
 
     /// \return string ID (not necessarily human-readable)
-    virtual const QString& getID() const { assert(false); return UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID; }
+    virtual const QString getID() const { assert(false); return UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID; }
 
     virtual bool isSupported() const;
-    
+
     void setContainer(PluginContainer* container);
 
     /// Called when plugin is initially loaded, typically at application start
@@ -74,6 +74,6 @@ signals:
 protected:
     bool _active { false };
     PluginContainer* _container { nullptr };
-    static QString UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID;
+    static const char* UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID;
 
 };
diff --git a/libraries/shared/src/shared/Factory.h b/libraries/shared/src/shared/Factory.h
index 6f1da6644b..00b7787fdb 100644
--- a/libraries/shared/src/shared/Factory.h
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/shared/Factory.h
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ namespace hifi {
         using Builder = std::function<Pointer()>;
         using BuilderMap = std::map<Key, Builder>;
 
-        void registerBuilder(const Key& name, Builder builder) {
+        void registerBuilder(const Key name, Builder builder) {
             // FIXME don't allow name collisions
             _builders[name] = builder;
         }
 
-        Pointer create(const Key& name) const {
+        Pointer create(const Key name) const {
             const auto& entryIt = _builders.find(name);
             if (entryIt != _builders.end()) {
                 return (*entryIt).second();
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ namespace hifi {
         template <typename Impl>
         class Registrar {
         public:
-            Registrar(const Key& name, SimpleFactory& factory) {
+            Registrar(const Key name, SimpleFactory& factory) {
                 factory.registerBuilder(name, [] { return std::make_shared<Impl>(); });
             }
         };
diff --git a/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.cpp b/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.cpp
index 4e9336ff90..77c369dcae 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.cpp
+++ b/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 #include "HiFiCodec.h"
 
-const QString HiFiCodec::NAME = "hifiAC";
+const char* HiFiCodec::NAME { "hifiAC" };
 
 void HiFiCodec::init() {
 }
diff --git a/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.h b/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.h
index eeba8d56d8..09b247ff7e 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.h
+++ b/plugins/hifiCodec/src/HiFiCodec.h
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@
 
 class HiFiCodec : public CodecPlugin {
     Q_OBJECT
-    
+
 public:
     // Plugin functions
     bool isSupported() const override;
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
 
     void init() override;
     void deinit() override;
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public:
     virtual void releaseDecoder(Decoder* decoder) override;
 
 private:
-    static const QString NAME;
+    static const char* NAME;
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_HiFiCodec_h
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/Joystick.h b/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/Joystick.h
index a10e02d325..7ea17739e3 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/Joystick.h
+++ b/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/Joystick.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class Joystick : public QObject, public controller::InputDevice {
 public:
     using Pointer = std::shared_ptr<Joystick>;
 
-    const QString& getName() const { return _name; }
+    const QString getName() const { return _name; }
 
     SDL_GameController* getGameController() { return _sdlGameController; }
 
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.cpp b/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.cpp
index b6fa567aee..5ab5758412 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.cpp
+++ b/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ static_assert(
     "SDL2 equvalence: Enums and values from StandardControls.h are assumed to match enums from SDL_gamecontroller.h");
 
 
-const QString SDL2Manager::NAME = "SDL2";
+const char* SDL2Manager::NAME = "SDL2";
 
 SDL_JoystickID SDL2Manager::getInstanceId(SDL_GameController* controller) {
     SDL_Joystick* joystick = SDL_GameControllerGetJoystick(controller);
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.h b/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.h
index fc1654bce1..4501d0792b 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.h
+++ b/plugins/hifiSdl2/src/SDL2Manager.h
@@ -20,11 +20,11 @@
 
 class SDL2Manager : public InputPlugin {
     Q_OBJECT
-    
+
 public:
     // Plugin functions
     bool isSupported() const override;
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
 
     QStringList getSubdeviceNames() override;
     bool isHandController() const override { return false; }
@@ -39,14 +39,14 @@ public:
 
     void pluginFocusOutEvent() override;
     void pluginUpdate(float deltaTime, const controller::InputCalibrationData& inputCalibrationData) override;
-    
+
 signals:
     void joystickAdded(Joystick* joystick);
     void joystickRemoved(Joystick* joystick);
-    
+
 private:
     SDL_JoystickID getInstanceId(SDL_GameController* controller);
-    
+
     int axisInvalid() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_AXIS_INVALID; }
     int axisLeftX() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_AXIS_LEFTX; }
     int axisLeftY() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_AXIS_LEFTY; }
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ private:
     int axisTriggerLeft() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_AXIS_TRIGGERLEFT; }
     int axisTriggerRight() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_AXIS_TRIGGERRIGHT; }
     int axisMax() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_AXIS_MAX; }
-    
+
     int buttonInvalid() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_BUTTON_INVALID; }
     int buttonFaceBottom() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_BUTTON_A; }
     int buttonFaceRight() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_BUTTON_B; }
@@ -73,13 +73,13 @@ private:
     int buttonDpadLeft() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_BUTTON_DPAD_LEFT; }
     int buttonDpadRight() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_BUTTON_DPAD_RIGHT; }
     int buttonMax() const { return SDL_CONTROLLER_BUTTON_MAX; }
-    
+
     int buttonPressed() const { return SDL_PRESSED; }
     int buttonRelease() const { return SDL_RELEASED; }
 
     QMap<SDL_JoystickID, Joystick::Pointer> _openJoysticks;
     bool _isInitialized { false } ;
-    static const QString NAME;
+    static const char* NAME;
     QStringList _subdeviceNames;
 };
 
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp
index baf13f1fae..7d443bd50d 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp
+++ b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp
@@ -55,15 +55,15 @@ bool SixenseManager::_sixenseLoaded = false;
 
 
 
-const QString SixenseManager::NAME = "Sixense";
-const QString SixenseManager::HYDRA_ID_STRING = "Razer Hydra";
+const char* SixenseManager::NAME { "Sixense" };
+const char* SixenseManager::HYDRA_ID_STRING { "Razer Hydra" };
 
-const QString MENU_PARENT = "Developer";
-const QString MENU_NAME = "Sixense";
-const QString MENU_PATH = MENU_PARENT + ">" + MENU_NAME;
-const QString TOGGLE_SMOOTH = "Smooth Sixense Movement";
-const QString SHOW_DEBUG_RAW = "Debug Draw Raw Data";
-const QString SHOW_DEBUG_CALIBRATED = "Debug Draw Calibrated Data";
+const char* MENU_PARENT { "Developer" };
+const char* MENU_NAME { "Sixense" };
+const char* MENU_PATH { "Developer" ">" "Sixense" };
+const char* TOGGLE_SMOOTH { "Smooth Sixense Movement" };
+const char* SHOW_DEBUG_RAW { "Debug Draw Raw Data" };
+const char* SHOW_DEBUG_CALIBRATED { "Debug Draw Calibrated Data" };
 
 bool SixenseManager::isSupported() const {
 #if defined(HAVE_SIXENSE) && !defined(Q_OS_OSX)
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h
index c77569474e..5237dba791 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h
+++ b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ class SixenseManager : public InputPlugin {
 public:
     // Plugin functions
     virtual bool isSupported() const override;
-    virtual const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
-    virtual const QString& getID() const override { return HYDRA_ID_STRING; }
+    virtual const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    virtual const QString getID() const override { return HYDRA_ID_STRING; }
 
     // Sixense always seems to initialize even if the hydras are not present. Is there
     // a way we can properly detect whether the hydras are present?
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@ private:
 
     std::shared_ptr<InputDevice> _inputDevice { std::make_shared<InputDevice>() };
 
-    static const QString NAME;
-    static const QString HYDRA_ID_STRING;
+    static const char* NAME;
+    static const char* HYDRA_ID_STRING;
 
     static bool _sixenseLoaded;
 };
diff --git a/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.cpp b/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.cpp
index 315d0622ab..7278edaf92 100644
--- a/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.cpp
+++ b/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 #include "PCMCodecManager.h"
 
-const QString PCMCodec::NAME = "pcm";
+const char* PCMCodec::NAME { "pcm" };
 
 void PCMCodec::init() {
 }
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ void PCMCodec::releaseDecoder(Decoder* decoder) {
     // do nothing
 }
 
-const QString zLibCodec::NAME = "zlib";
+const char* zLibCodec::NAME { "zlib" };
 
 void zLibCodec::init() {
 }
diff --git a/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.h b/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.h
index 55d7c866f1..d58a219fef 100644
--- a/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.h
+++ b/plugins/pcmCodec/src/PCMCodecManager.h
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@
 
 class PCMCodec : public CodecPlugin, public Encoder, public Decoder {
     Q_OBJECT
-    
+
 public:
     // Plugin functions
     bool isSupported() const override;
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
 
     void init() override;
     void deinit() override;
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ public:
     virtual void trackLostFrames(int numFrames)  override { }
 
 private:
-    static const QString NAME;
+    static const char* NAME;
 };
 
 class zLibCodec : public CodecPlugin, public Encoder, public Decoder {
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class zLibCodec : public CodecPlugin, public Encoder, public Decoder {
 public:
     // Plugin functions
     bool isSupported() const override;
-    const QString& getName() const override { return NAME; }
+    const QString getName() const override { return NAME; }
 
     void init() override;
     void deinit() override;
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public:
     virtual void trackLostFrames(int numFrames)  override { }
 
 private:
-    static const QString NAME;
+    static const char* NAME;
 };
 
 #endif // hifi__PCMCodecManager_h