# Why is Einstein-Hilbert action called Einstein-Hilbert action?

I understand that Einstein was the first one who came up with Einstein's equations, but did Einstein do anything to deserve his share of name in the action Hilbert found? Who first called the action Hilbert found "Einstein-Hilbert" action?

• Yes, he developed the circle of ideas that the action merely summarizes. "This action, as you know, is now called the Einstein-Hilbert action. Quite rightly in the opinion of all physicists, Einstein is credited with this action, even though strictly speaking, he found the equations of motion that emerge from the action rather than the action itself. The theoretical physics community is not a court of law: it regards Hilbert, although he did find the action first, as playing second fiddle to Einstein." Zee, Einstein Gravity in a Nutshell, p. 396. – Conifold Aug 19 at 3:57
• Possible duplicate of How come we attribute the general theory of relativity to Einstein? – Conifold Aug 19 at 3:59