diff --git a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog-import.md b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog-import.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 544e91bac3..0000000000
--- a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog-import.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
----
-'@backstage/plugin-catalog-import': patch
----
-
-Replaced `humanizeEntityRef` with `defaultEntityPresentation` from the Catalog Presentation API in `StepPrepareCreatePullRequest`.
diff --git a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog-react.md b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog-react.md
index b44e796624..7f44b101c4 100644
--- a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog-react.md
+++ b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog-react.md
@@ -2,4 +2,4 @@
 '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react': patch
 ---
 
-Replaced `humanizeEntityRef` with `defaultEntityPresentation` and `useEntityPresentation` from the Catalog Presentation API in `EntityOwnerPicker`, `EntityTable`, `EntityDataTable`, and `AncestryPage` components.
+Deprecated `humanizeEntityRef` and `humanizeEntity` in favor of the Catalog Presentation API. Use `useEntityPresentation`, `EntityDisplayName`, or `entityPresentationApiRef` instead.
diff --git a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog.md b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 2a27c87f47..0000000000
--- a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-catalog.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
----
-'@backstage/plugin-catalog': patch
----
-
-Replaced `humanizeEntityRef` with `defaultEntityPresentation` from the Catalog Presentation API in `CatalogTable` and its column factories.
diff --git a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-org-react.md b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-org-react.md
deleted file mode 100644
index afb04d3348..0000000000
--- a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-org-react.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
----
-'@backstage/plugin-org-react': patch
----
-
-Replaced `humanizeEntityRef` with `defaultEntityPresentation` from the Catalog Presentation API in `GroupListPicker`.
diff --git a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-plugins.md b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-plugins.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5f523e7b88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-plugins.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-catalog': patch
+'@backstage/plugin-catalog-import': patch
+'@backstage/plugin-org-react': patch
+'@backstage/plugin-scaffolder': patch
+'@backstage/plugin-techdocs': patch
+---
+
+Replaced deprecated `humanizeEntityRef` usage with the Catalog Presentation API.
diff --git a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-scaffolder.md b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-scaffolder.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 5064875451..0000000000
--- a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-scaffolder.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
----
-'@backstage/plugin-scaffolder': patch
----
-
-Replaced `humanizeEntityRef` with `defaultEntityPresentation` from the Catalog Presentation API in `TemplateFormPreviewer`.
diff --git a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-techdocs.md b/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-techdocs.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 374a0c2e8e..0000000000
--- a/.changeset/replace-humanize-entity-ref-techdocs.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
----
-'@backstage/plugin-techdocs': patch
----
-
-Replaced `humanizeEntityRef` with `defaultEntityPresentation` from the Catalog Presentation API in TechDocs table helpers.
diff --git a/docs/features/software-catalog/entity-presentation.md b/docs/features/software-catalog/entity-presentation.md
index 5d65baac07..c5ca8edada 100644
--- a/docs/features/software-catalog/entity-presentation.md
+++ b/docs/features/software-catalog/entity-presentation.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ name from fields such as `metadata.title` and `spec.profile.displayName`.
 
 ## Displaying entity names
 
-There are three ways to display entity names, depending on context:
+There are several ways to display entity names, depending on context:
 
 ### `EntityDisplayName` component
 
@@ -51,25 +51,36 @@ function MyComponent({ entityRef }: { entityRef: string }) {
 
 The hook subscribes to the `EntityPresentationApi` and returns a snapshot
 that may update over time as additional data is fetched in the background.
-If no presentation API is registered, it falls back to
-`defaultEntityPresentation`.
 
-### `defaultEntityPresentation` function
+### Using the API directly
 
-A synchronous helper for non-React contexts where hooks are not available.
-Use it in sort comparators, filter functions, table column factories, and
-data mappers:
+In contexts where hooks are not available, you can use the
+`entityPresentationApiRef` API directly. The API provides two access
+patterns:
+
+- **`.snapshot`** for synchronous access (for example in sort comparators or
+  filter callbacks):
 
 ```ts
-import { defaultEntityPresentation } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
+import { entityPresentationApiRef } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 
-const title = defaultEntityPresentation(entity, {
+const title = entityPresentationApi.forEntity(entity, {
   defaultKind: 'Component',
-}).primaryTitle;
+}).snapshot.primaryTitle;
 ```
 
-This resolves `primaryTitle` as the first available value among
-`spec.profile.displayName`, `metadata.title`, and a shortened entity ref.
+- **`.promise`** for async contexts (for example inside data loaders):
+
+```ts
+const presentation = await entityPresentationApi.forEntity(entity, {
+  defaultKind: 'group',
+}).promise;
+const title = presentation.primaryTitle;
+```
+
+The `.snapshot` path uses cached data when available, so it performs well
+even in tight loops like sorting. The `.promise` path resolves to a richer
+presentation that may include data fetched from the catalog.
 
 ## Customizing entity presentation
 
@@ -109,9 +120,10 @@ from `metadata.title` or `spec.profile.displayName`.
 
 Replace them as follows:
 
-| Old code                                                            | Replacement                                                       |
-| :------------------------------------------------------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `humanizeEntityRef(entity)` in JSX                                  | `<EntityDisplayName entityRef={entity} />`                        |
-| `humanizeEntityRef(entity)` in a hook-accessible context            | `useEntityPresentation(entity).primaryTitle`                      |
-| `humanizeEntityRef(entity, { defaultKind })` in a sort/filter/label | `defaultEntityPresentation(entity, { defaultKind }).primaryTitle` |
-| `humanizeEntity(entity, fallback)`                                  | `defaultEntityPresentation(entity).primaryTitle`                  |
+| Old code                                              | Replacement                                                            |
+| :---------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `humanizeEntityRef(entity)` in JSX                    | `<EntityDisplayName entityRef={entity} />`                             |
+| `humanizeEntityRef(entity)` in a React component      | `useEntityPresentation(entity).primaryTitle`                           |
+| `humanizeEntityRef(entity)` in a sort/filter callback | `entityPresentationApi.forEntity(entity).snapshot.primaryTitle`        |
+| `humanizeEntityRef(entity)` in an async loader        | `(await entityPresentationApi.forEntity(entity).promise).primaryTitle` |
+| `humanizeEntity(entity, fallback)`                    | `useEntityPresentation(entity).primaryTitle`                           |
diff --git a/microsite/sidebars.ts b/microsite/sidebars.ts
index 871fbe09e9..eb002736b2 100644
--- a/microsite/sidebars.ts
+++ b/microsite/sidebars.ts
@@ -263,6 +263,7 @@ export default {
             'features/software-catalog/extending-the-model',
             'features/software-catalog/external-integrations',
             'features/software-catalog/catalog-customization',
+            'features/software-catalog/entity-presentation',
             'features/software-catalog/audit-events',
             {
               type: 'category',
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.test.tsx b/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.test.tsx
index 6f69b739bd..8c21966ed5 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.test.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.test.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,11 @@
  */
 
 import { configApiRef, errorApiRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
-import { catalogApiRef } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
+import {
+  catalogApiRef,
+  defaultEntityPresentation,
+  entityPresentationApiRef,
+} from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 import { catalogApiMock } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react/testUtils';
 import {
   mockApis,
@@ -42,6 +46,17 @@ describe('<StepPrepareCreatePullRequest />', () => {
 
   const catalogApi = catalogApiMock.mock();
 
+  const entityPresentationApi: typeof entityPresentationApiRef.T = {
+    forEntity(entityOrRef, context) {
+      const presentation = defaultEntityPresentation(entityOrRef, context);
+      return {
+        snapshot: presentation,
+        update$: { subscribe: () => ({ unsubscribe: () => {} }) } as any,
+        promise: Promise.resolve(presentation),
+      };
+    },
+  };
+
   const errorApi: jest.Mocked<typeof errorApiRef.T> = {
     error$: jest.fn(),
     post: jest.fn(),
@@ -54,6 +69,7 @@ describe('<StepPrepareCreatePullRequest />', () => {
       apis={[
         [catalogImportApiRef, catalogImportApi],
         [catalogApiRef, catalogApi],
+        [entityPresentationApiRef, entityPresentationApi],
         [errorApiRef, errorApi],
         [configApiRef, configApi],
       ]}
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.tsx b/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.tsx
index 3cb9fbbd39..758ade4ee9 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog-import/src/components/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest/StepPrepareCreatePullRequest.tsx
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import { assertError } from '@backstage/errors';
 import { useTranslationRef } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import {
   catalogApiRef,
-  defaultEntityPresentation,
+  entityPresentationApiRef,
 } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 import Box from '@material-ui/core/Box';
 import FormHelperText from '@material-ui/core/FormHelperText';
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ export const StepPrepareCreatePullRequest = (
   const { t } = useTranslationRef(catalogImportTranslationRef);
   const classes = useStyles();
   const catalogApi = useApi(catalogApiRef);
+  const entityPresentationApi = useApi(entityPresentationApiRef);
   const catalogImportApi = useApi(catalogImportApiRef);
   const errorApi = useApi(errorApiRef);
 
@@ -161,12 +162,13 @@ export const StepPrepareCreatePullRequest = (
       filter: { kind: 'group' },
     });
 
-    return groupEntities.items
-      .map(
+    const presentations = await Promise.all(
+      groupEntities.items.map(
         e =>
-          defaultEntityPresentation(e, { defaultKind: 'group' }).primaryTitle,
-      )
-      .sort();
+          entityPresentationApi.forEntity(e, { defaultKind: 'group' }).promise,
+      ),
+    );
+    return presentations.map(p => p.primaryTitle).sort();
   });
 
   const handleResult = useCallback(
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/report-alpha.api.md b/plugins/catalog-react/report-alpha.api.md
index 0135fe7d64..17bd8de8af 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/report-alpha.api.md
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/report-alpha.api.md
@@ -6,16 +6,19 @@
 import { AnyRouteRefParams } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { ColumnConfig } from '@backstage/ui';
 import { ComponentType } from 'react';
+import { CompoundEntityRef } from '@backstage/catalog-model';
 import { ConfigurableExtensionDataRef } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { Entity } from '@backstage/catalog-model';
 import { ExtensionBlueprint } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { ExtensionDataRef } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { ExtensionDefinition } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { FilterPredicate } from '@backstage/filter-predicates';
+import { IconComponent } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { IconLinkVerticalProps } from '@backstage/core-components';
 import { JSX as JSX_2 } from 'react';
 import { JSX as JSX_3 } from 'react/jsx-runtime';
 import { JSXElementConstructor } from 'react';
+import { Observable } from '@backstage/types';
 import { ReactElement } from 'react';
 import { ReactNode } from 'react';
 import { ResourcePermission } from '@backstage/plugin-permission-common';
@@ -183,6 +186,15 @@ export const defaultEntityContentGroups: Record<
   string
 >;
 
+// @public
+export function defaultEntityPresentation(
+  entityOrRef: Entity | CompoundEntityRef | string,
+  context?: {
+    defaultKind?: string;
+    defaultNamespace?: string;
+  },
+): EntityRefPresentationSnapshot;
+
 // @alpha
 export const EntityCardBlueprint: ExtensionBlueprint<{
   kind: 'entity-card';
@@ -488,6 +500,7 @@ export const entityDataTableColumns: Readonly<{
   createEntityRefColumn(options: {
     defaultKind?: string;
     isRowHeader?: boolean;
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): EntityColumnConfig;
   createEntityRelationColumn(options: {
     id: string;
@@ -497,6 +510,7 @@ export const entityDataTableColumns: Readonly<{
     filter?: {
       kind: string;
     };
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): EntityColumnConfig;
   createOwnerColumn(): EntityColumnConfig;
   createSystemColumn(): EntityColumnConfig;
@@ -520,6 +534,18 @@ export interface EntityDataTableProps {
   loading?: boolean;
 }
 
+// @public
+export const EntityDisplayName: (props: EntityDisplayNameProps) => JSX.Element;
+
+// @public
+export type EntityDisplayNameProps = {
+  entityRef: Entity | CompoundEntityRef | string;
+  hideIcon?: boolean;
+  disableTooltip?: boolean;
+  defaultKind?: string;
+  defaultNamespace?: string;
+};
+
 // @alpha (undocumented)
 export const EntityHeaderBlueprint: ExtensionBlueprint<{
   kind: 'entity-header';
@@ -627,6 +653,32 @@ export const EntityIconLinkBlueprint: ExtensionBlueprint<{
   };
 }>;
 
+// @public
+export interface EntityPresentationApi {
+  forEntity(
+    entityOrRef: Entity | string,
+    context?: {
+      defaultKind?: string;
+      defaultNamespace?: string;
+    },
+  ): EntityRefPresentation;
+}
+
+// @public
+export interface EntityRefPresentation {
+  promise: Promise<EntityRefPresentationSnapshot>;
+  snapshot: EntityRefPresentationSnapshot;
+  update$?: Observable<EntityRefPresentationSnapshot>;
+}
+
+// @public
+export interface EntityRefPresentationSnapshot {
+  entityRef: string;
+  Icon?: IconComponent | undefined | false;
+  primaryTitle: string;
+  secondaryTitle?: string;
+}
+
 // @public (undocumented)
 export function EntityRelationCard(
   props: EntityRelationCardProps,
@@ -700,6 +752,15 @@ export function useEntityPermission(
   error?: Error;
 };
 
+// @public
+export function useEntityPresentation(
+  entityOrRef: Entity | CompoundEntityRef | string,
+  context?: {
+    defaultKind?: string;
+    defaultNamespace?: string;
+  },
+): EntityRefPresentationSnapshot;
+
 // @alpha (undocumented)
 export type UseProps = () =>
   | {
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/report.api.md b/plugins/catalog-react/report.api.md
index bb9d43edb0..806d329fe0 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/report.api.md
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/report.api.md
@@ -266,6 +266,7 @@ export type CatalogReactUserListPickerClassKey =
 export const columnFactories: Readonly<{
   createEntityRefColumn<T extends Entity>(options: {
     defaultKind?: string;
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): TableColumn<T>;
   createEntityRelationColumn<T extends Entity>(options: {
     title: string | JSX.Element;
@@ -274,6 +275,7 @@ export const columnFactories: Readonly<{
     filter?: {
       kind: string;
     };
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): TableColumn<T>;
   createOwnerColumn<T extends Entity>(): TableColumn<T>;
   createDomainColumn<T extends Entity>(): TableColumn<T>;
@@ -687,6 +689,7 @@ export const EntityTable: {
   columns: Readonly<{
     createEntityRefColumn<T extends Entity>(options: {
       defaultKind?: string;
+      entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
     }): TableColumn<T>;
     createEntityRelationColumn<T extends Entity>(options: {
       title: string | JSX.Element;
@@ -695,6 +698,7 @@ export const EntityTable: {
       filter?: {
         kind: string;
       };
+      entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
     }): TableColumn<T>;
     createOwnerColumn<T extends Entity>(): TableColumn<T>;
     createDomainColumn<T extends Entity>(): TableColumn<T>;
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/alpha/index.ts b/plugins/catalog-react/src/alpha/index.ts
index d473b0923f..47418eaa2a 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/alpha/index.ts
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/alpha/index.ts
@@ -26,5 +26,13 @@ export const catalogReactTranslationRef = _catalogReactTranslationRef;
 export { isOwnerOf } from '../utils/isOwnerOf';
 export { useEntityPermission } from '../hooks/useEntityPermission';
 export * from '../components/EntityTable/TitleColumn';
+export type {
+  EntityPresentationApi,
+  EntityRefPresentation,
+  EntityRefPresentationSnapshot,
+} from '../apis';
+export { useEntityPresentation, defaultEntityPresentation } from '../apis';
+export { EntityDisplayName } from '../components/EntityDisplayName';
+export type { EntityDisplayNameProps } from '../components/EntityDisplayName';
 export * from '../components/EntityDataTable';
 export * from '../components/EntityRelationCard';
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/EntityPresentationApi.ts b/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/EntityPresentationApi.ts
index e293d1e0ab..316bc9aff5 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/EntityPresentationApi.ts
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/EntityPresentationApi.ts
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ import { Observable } from '@backstage/types';
  *   which wraps the hook and renders a styled entity name with optional icon
  *   and tooltip.
  *
- * - In non-React contexts such as sort comparators, filter functions, or data
- *   mappers, use the {@link defaultEntityPresentation} function which
- *   synchronously extracts a display name from an already-loaded entity.
+ * - In non-React contexts such as sort comparators or data mappers, use the
+ *   API directly via `forEntity().snapshot` for synchronous access, or
+ *   `forEntity().promise` in async loaders.
  *
  * @public
  */
@@ -143,8 +143,9 @@ export interface EntityRefPresentation {
  * - {@link EntityDisplayName} — React component that renders an entity name
  *   with optional icon and tooltip.
  *
- * - {@link defaultEntityPresentation} — synchronous helper for non-React
- *   contexts where you already have the entity object.
+ * For non-React contexts, you can use the API directly via
+ * `forEntity().snapshot` for synchronous access, or `forEntity().promise`
+ * for async contexts.
  *
  * Implement this interface to customize how entities are displayed throughout
  * the Backstage interface.
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/defaultEntityPresentation.ts b/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/defaultEntityPresentation.ts
index 9c1cbd5325..1984593cfa 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/defaultEntityPresentation.ts
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/defaultEntityPresentation.ts
@@ -33,11 +33,12 @@ import { EntityRefPresentationSnapshot } from './EntityPresentationApi';
  * first available value among `spec.profile.displayName`, `metadata.title`,
  * and a shortened entity ref string.
  *
- * Use this in non-React contexts where hooks are not available, such as sort
- * comparators, filter functions, table column factories, and data mappers.
- * In React components, prefer the {@link useEntityPresentation} hook or the
- * {@link EntityDisplayName} component, which support async enrichment via
- * the {@link EntityPresentationApi}.
+ * This function is primarily used as the internal fallback within the
+ * {@link EntityPresentationApi} when no custom implementation is registered.
+ * Prefer using the API directly via `forEntity().snapshot` or
+ * `forEntity().promise`, which respects custom presentation overrides.
+ * In React components, use the {@link useEntityPresentation} hook or the
+ * {@link EntityDisplayName} component.
  *
  * @public
  * @param entityOrRef - Either an entity, or a ref to it.
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/useEntityPresentation.ts b/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/useEntityPresentation.ts
index 2e01485dcc..125557ceb7 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/useEntityPresentation.ts
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/apis/EntityPresentationApi/useEntityPresentation.ts
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ import { useUpdatingObservable } from './useUpdatingObservable';
  * component instead, which wraps this hook with icon and tooltip support.
  *
  * For non-React contexts such as sort comparators or data mappers, use
- * {@link defaultEntityPresentation} directly.
+ * the {@link EntityPresentationApi} directly via `forEntity().snapshot`.
  *
  * @public
  * @param entityOrRef - The entity to represent, or an entity ref to it. If you
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDataTable/columnFactories.tsx b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDataTable/columnFactories.tsx
index 647e7c7f3b..aed29dbd56 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDataTable/columnFactories.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDataTable/columnFactories.tsx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import {
 } from '@backstage/catalog-model';
 import { Cell, CellText, Column, ColumnConfig, TableItem } from '@backstage/ui';
 import { EntityRefLink, EntityRefLinks } from '../EntityRefLink';
-import { defaultEntityPresentation } from '../../apis';
+import { defaultEntityPresentation, EntityPresentationApi } from '../../apis';
 import { EntityTableColumnTitle } from '../EntityTable/TitleColumn';
 import { getEntityRelations } from '../../utils';
 
@@ -33,11 +33,24 @@ export interface EntityColumnConfig extends ColumnConfig<EntityRow> {
   sortValue?: (entity: EntityRow) => string;
 }
 
+function getEntityTitle(
+  entityOrRef: Entity | { kind: string; namespace?: string; name: string },
+  context: { defaultKind?: string },
+  entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi,
+): string {
+  if (entityPresentation) {
+    return entityPresentation.forEntity(entityOrRef as Entity, context).snapshot
+      .primaryTitle;
+  }
+  return defaultEntityPresentation(entityOrRef as Entity, context).primaryTitle;
+}
+
 /** @public */
 export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
   createEntityRefColumn(options: {
     defaultKind?: string;
     isRowHeader?: boolean;
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): EntityColumnConfig {
     const isRowHeader = options.isRowHeader ?? true;
     return {
@@ -60,8 +73,11 @@ export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
         </Cell>
       ),
       sortValue: entity =>
-        defaultEntityPresentation(entity, { defaultKind: options.defaultKind })
-          .primaryTitle,
+        getEntityTitle(
+          entity,
+          { defaultKind: options.defaultKind },
+          options.entityPresentation,
+        ),
     };
   },
 
@@ -71,6 +87,7 @@ export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
     relation: string;
     defaultKind?: string;
     filter?: { kind: string };
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): EntityColumnConfig {
     return {
       id: options.id,
@@ -95,11 +112,12 @@ export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
       ),
       sortValue: entity =>
         getEntityRelations(entity, options.relation, options.filter)
-          .map(
-            r =>
-              defaultEntityPresentation(r, {
-                defaultKind: options.defaultKind,
-              }).primaryTitle,
+          .map(r =>
+            getEntityTitle(
+              r,
+              { defaultKind: options.defaultKind },
+              options.entityPresentation,
+            ),
           )
           .join(', '),
     };
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDisplayName/EntityDisplayName.tsx b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDisplayName/EntityDisplayName.tsx
index 6ed863f180..a6b4ed94fe 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDisplayName/EntityDisplayName.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityDisplayName/EntityDisplayName.tsx
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ export type EntityDisplayNameProps = {
  *
  * For more control over the presentation data, use the
  * {@link useEntityPresentation} hook directly. For non-React contexts, use
- * {@link defaultEntityPresentation}.
+ * the {@link EntityPresentationApi} directly via `forEntity().snapshot`.
  *
  * @public
  */
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityOwnerPicker/EntityOwnerPicker.tsx b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityOwnerPicker/EntityOwnerPicker.tsx
index 16e00e5ccd..1375140ebc 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityOwnerPicker/EntityOwnerPicker.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityOwnerPicker/EntityOwnerPicker.tsx
@@ -33,11 +33,15 @@ import { EntityOwnerFilter } from '../../filters';
 import { useDebouncedEffect } from '@react-hookz/web';
 import PersonIcon from '@material-ui/icons/Person';
 import GroupIcon from '@material-ui/icons/Group';
-import { defaultEntityPresentation } from '../../apis';
+import {
+  defaultEntityPresentation,
+  entityPresentationApiRef,
+} from '../../apis';
 import { useFetchEntities } from './useFetchEntities';
 import { withStyles } from '@material-ui/core/styles';
 import { useEntityPresentation } from '../../apis';
 import { catalogReactTranslationRef } from '../../translation';
+import { useApiHolder } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { useTranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 import { CatalogAutocomplete } from '../CatalogAutocomplete';
 
@@ -124,6 +128,8 @@ function RenderOptionLabel(props: { entity: Entity; isSelected: boolean }) {
 export const EntityOwnerPicker = (props?: EntityOwnerPickerProps) => {
   const classes = useStyles();
   const { mode = 'owners-only' } = props || {};
+  const apis = useApiHolder();
+  const entityPresentationApi = apis.get(entityPresentationApiRef);
   const {
     updateFilters,
     filters,
@@ -203,6 +209,10 @@ export const EntityOwnerPicker = (props?: EntityOwnerPickerProps) => {
                   defaultNamespace: 'default',
                 })
               : o;
+          if (entityPresentationApi) {
+            return entityPresentationApi.forEntity(entity as Entity).snapshot
+              .primaryTitle;
+          }
           return defaultEntityPresentation(entity).primaryTitle;
         }}
         onChange={(_: object, owners) => {
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityRefLink/humanize.ts b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityRefLink/humanize.ts
index ae1fb5e685..80bd290806 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityRefLink/humanize.ts
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityRefLink/humanize.ts
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ import get from 'lodash/get';
  * @param defaultNamespace - if set to false then namespace is never omitted,
  * if set to string which matches namespace of entity then omitted
  *
- * @deprecated Use {@link defaultEntityPresentation} for non-React contexts,
- * or {@link useEntityPresentation} / {@link EntityDisplayName} in React
- * components. These provide richer display names using `metadata.title` and
+ * @deprecated Use {@link useEntityPresentation} or {@link EntityDisplayName}
+ * in React components, or access the {@link entityPresentationApiRef} directly.
+ * These provide richer display names using `metadata.title` and
  * `spec.profile.displayName` in addition to the entity ref.
  *
  * @public
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ export function humanizeEntityRef(
  *
  * If neither of those are found or populated, fallback to `defaultName`.
  *
- * @deprecated Use {@link defaultEntityPresentation} instead, which provides
- * the same resolution logic via `primaryTitle`.
+ * @deprecated Use {@link useEntityPresentation} or {@link EntityDisplayName}
+ * in React components, or access the {@link entityPresentationApiRef} directly.
  *
  * @param entity - Entity to convert.
  * @param defaultName - If entity readable name is not available, `defaultName` will be returned.
diff --git a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityTable/columns.tsx b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityTable/columns.tsx
index 6b47fa02ff..3768cf595e 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityTable/columns.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog-react/src/components/EntityTable/columns.tsx
@@ -23,17 +23,30 @@ import {
 import { OverflowTooltip, TableColumn } from '@backstage/core-components';
 import { getEntityRelations } from '../../utils';
 import { EntityRefLink, EntityRefLinks } from '../EntityRefLink';
-import { defaultEntityPresentation } from '../../apis';
+import { defaultEntityPresentation, EntityPresentationApi } from '../../apis';
 import { EntityTableColumnTitle } from './TitleColumn';
 
+function getEntityTitle(
+  entityOrRef: Entity | CompoundEntityRef,
+  context: { defaultKind?: string },
+  entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi,
+): string {
+  if (entityPresentation) {
+    return entityPresentation.forEntity(entityOrRef as Entity, context).snapshot
+      .primaryTitle;
+  }
+  return defaultEntityPresentation(entityOrRef, context).primaryTitle;
+}
+
 /** @public */
 export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
   createEntityRefColumn<T extends Entity>(options: {
     defaultKind?: string;
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): TableColumn<T> {
-    const { defaultKind } = options;
+    const { defaultKind, entityPresentation } = options;
     function formatContent(entity: T): string {
-      return defaultEntityPresentation(entity, { defaultKind }).primaryTitle;
+      return getEntityTitle(entity, { defaultKind }, entityPresentation);
     }
 
     return {
@@ -67,8 +80,15 @@ export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
     relation: string;
     defaultKind?: string;
     filter?: { kind: string };
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): TableColumn<T> {
-    const { title, relation, defaultKind, filter: entityFilter } = options;
+    const {
+      title,
+      relation,
+      defaultKind,
+      filter: entityFilter,
+      entityPresentation,
+    } = options;
 
     function getRelations(entity: T): CompoundEntityRef[] {
       return getEntityRelations(entity, relation, entityFilter);
@@ -76,7 +96,7 @@ export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
 
     function formatContent(entity: T): string {
       return getRelations(entity)
-        .map(r => defaultEntityPresentation(r, { defaultKind }).primaryTitle)
+        .map(r => getEntityTitle(r, { defaultKind }, entityPresentation))
         .join(', ');
     }
 
diff --git a/plugins/catalog/report.api.md b/plugins/catalog/report.api.md
index 84d9a8bd91..816d469d13 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog/report.api.md
+++ b/plugins/catalog/report.api.md
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ export const CatalogTable: {
   columns: Readonly<{
     createNameColumn(options?: {
       defaultKind?: string;
+      entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
     }): TableColumn<CatalogTableRow>;
     createSystemColumn(): TableColumn<CatalogTableRow>;
     createOwnerColumn(): TableColumn<CatalogTableRow>;
diff --git a/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx b/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx
index 200505f5be..a57a5f3d31 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 import {
   ANNOTATION_EDIT_URL,
   ANNOTATION_VIEW_URL,
+  CompoundEntityRef,
   Entity,
   RELATION_OWNED_BY,
   RELATION_PART_OF,
@@ -30,9 +31,11 @@ import {
 } from '@backstage/core-components';
 import {
   defaultEntityPresentation,
+  entityPresentationApiRef,
   getEntityRelations,
   useEntityList,
   useStarredEntities,
+  type EntityPresentationApi,
 } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 import CircularProgress from '@material-ui/core/CircularProgress';
 import Typography from '@material-ui/core/Typography';
@@ -47,6 +50,7 @@ import { CatalogTableColumnsFunc, CatalogTableRow } from './types';
 import { OffsetPaginatedCatalogTable } from './OffsetPaginatedCatalogTable';
 import { CursorPaginatedCatalogTable } from './CursorPaginatedCatalogTable';
 import { defaultCatalogTableColumnsFunc } from './defaultCatalogTableColumnsFunc';
+import { useApiHolder } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { useTranslationRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api/alpha';
 import { catalogTranslationRef } from '../../alpha';
 import { FavoriteToggleIcon } from '@backstage/core-components';
@@ -69,12 +73,23 @@ export interface CatalogTableProps {
   subtitle?: string;
 }
 
-const refCompare = (a: Entity, b: Entity) => {
-  const toRef = (entity: Entity) =>
-    defaultEntityPresentation(entity, { defaultKind: 'Component' })
-      .primaryTitle;
+function getTitle(
+  entityOrRef: Entity | CompoundEntityRef,
+  context: { defaultKind?: string },
+  api?: EntityPresentationApi,
+): string {
+  if (api) {
+    const ref =
+      'metadata' in entityOrRef ? entityOrRef : stringifyEntityRef(entityOrRef);
+    return api.forEntity(ref, context).snapshot.primaryTitle;
+  }
+  return defaultEntityPresentation(entityOrRef, context).primaryTitle;
+}
 
-  return toRef(a).localeCompare(toRef(b));
+const refCompare = (a: Entity, b: Entity, api?: EntityPresentationApi) => {
+  return getTitle(a, { defaultKind: 'Component' }, api).localeCompare(
+    getTitle(b, { defaultKind: 'Component' }, api),
+  );
 };
 
 /**
@@ -95,6 +110,8 @@ export const CatalogTable = (props: CatalogTableProps) => {
     emptyContent,
   } = props;
   const { isStarredEntity, toggleStarredEntity } = useStarredEntities();
+  const apis = useApiHolder();
+  const entityPresentationApi = apis.get(entityPresentationApiRef);
   const entityListContext = useEntityList();
 
   const {
@@ -232,7 +249,7 @@ export const CatalogTable = (props: CatalogTableProps) => {
         actions={actions}
         subtitle={subtitle}
         options={options}
-        data={entities.map(toEntityRow)}
+        data={entities.map(e => toEntityRow(e, entityPresentationApi))}
         next={pageInfo?.next}
         prev={pageInfo?.prev}
       />
@@ -247,12 +264,14 @@ export const CatalogTable = (props: CatalogTableProps) => {
         actions={actions}
         subtitle={subtitle}
         options={options}
-        data={entities.map(toEntityRow)}
+        data={entities.map(e => toEntityRow(e, entityPresentationApi))}
       />
     );
   }
 
-  const rows = entities.sort(refCompare).map(toEntityRow);
+  const rows = entities
+    .sort((a, b) => refCompare(a, b, entityPresentationApi))
+    .map(e => toEntityRow(e, entityPresentationApi));
   const pageSize = 20;
   const showPagination = rows.length > pageSize;
 
@@ -278,7 +297,7 @@ export const CatalogTable = (props: CatalogTableProps) => {
 CatalogTable.columns = columnFactories;
 CatalogTable.defaultColumnsFunc = defaultCatalogTableColumnsFunc;
 
-function toEntityRow(entity: Entity) {
+function toEntityRow(entity: Entity, api?: EntityPresentationApi) {
   const partOfSystemRelations = getEntityRelations(entity, RELATION_PART_OF, {
     kind: 'system',
   });
@@ -290,22 +309,14 @@ function toEntityRow(entity: Entity) {
       // This name is here for backwards compatibility mostly; the
       // presentation of refs in the table should in general be handled with
       // EntityRefLink / EntityName components
-      name: defaultEntityPresentation(entity, { defaultKind: 'Component' })
-        .primaryTitle,
+      name: getTitle(entity, { defaultKind: 'Component' }, api),
       entityRef: stringifyEntityRef(entity),
       ownedByRelationsTitle: ownedByRelations
-        .map(
-          r =>
-            defaultEntityPresentation(r, { defaultKind: 'group' }).primaryTitle,
-        )
+        .map(r => getTitle(r, { defaultKind: 'group' }, api))
         .join(', '),
       ownedByRelations,
       partOfSystemRelationTitle: partOfSystemRelations
-        .map(
-          r =>
-            defaultEntityPresentation(r, { defaultKind: 'system' })
-              .primaryTitle,
-        )
+        .map(r => getTitle(r, { defaultKind: 'system' }, api))
         .join(', '),
       partOfSystemRelations,
     },
diff --git a/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/columns.tsx b/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/columns.tsx
index 8a18b301e6..05a8b1979b 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/columns.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/columns.tsx
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import {
   defaultEntityPresentation,
   EntityRefLink,
   EntityRefLinks,
+  type EntityPresentationApi,
 } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 import Chip from '@material-ui/core/Chip';
 import { CatalogTableRow } from './types';
@@ -31,8 +32,14 @@ import { EntityTableColumnTitle } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react/alpha';
 export const columnFactories = Object.freeze({
   createNameColumn(options?: {
     defaultKind?: string;
+    entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi;
   }): TableColumn<CatalogTableRow> {
     function formatContent(entity: Entity): string {
+      if (options?.entityPresentation) {
+        return options.entityPresentation.forEntity(entity, {
+          defaultKind: options?.defaultKind,
+        }).snapshot.primaryTitle;
+      }
       return defaultEntityPresentation(entity, {
         defaultKind: options?.defaultKind,
       }).primaryTitle;
diff --git a/plugins/org-react/src/components/GroupListPicker/GroupListPicker.tsx b/plugins/org-react/src/components/GroupListPicker/GroupListPicker.tsx
index b836d30aff..b193d4e092 100644
--- a/plugins/org-react/src/components/GroupListPicker/GroupListPicker.tsx
+++ b/plugins/org-react/src/components/GroupListPicker/GroupListPicker.tsx
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ import { MouseEvent, useState, useCallback } from 'react';
 import {
   catalogApiRef,
   defaultEntityPresentation,
+  entityPresentationApiRef,
 } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 import TextField from '@material-ui/core/TextField';
 import Autocomplete from '@material-ui/lab/Autocomplete';
 import useAsync from 'react-use/esm/useAsync';
 import Popover from '@material-ui/core/Popover';
-import { useApi } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
+import { useApi, useApiHolder } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { ResponseErrorPanel } from '@backstage/core-components';
 import { GroupEntity } from '@backstage/catalog-model';
 import { GroupListPickerButton } from './GroupListPickerButton';
@@ -43,6 +44,8 @@ export type GroupListPickerProps = {
 /** @public */
 export const GroupListPicker = (props: GroupListPickerProps) => {
   const catalogApi = useApi(catalogApiRef);
+  const apis = useApiHolder();
+  const entityPresentationApi = apis.get(entityPresentationApiRef);
 
   const { onChange, groupTypes, placeholder = '', defaultValue = '' } = props;
   const [anchorEl, setAnchorEl] = useState<HTMLElement | null>(null);
@@ -99,7 +102,9 @@ export const GroupListPicker = (props: GroupListPickerProps) => {
           options={groups ?? []}
           groupBy={option => option.spec.type}
           getOptionLabel={option =>
-            defaultEntityPresentation(option).primaryTitle
+            entityPresentationApi
+              ? entityPresentationApi.forEntity(option).snapshot.primaryTitle
+              : defaultEntityPresentation(option).primaryTitle
           }
           inputValue={inputValue}
           onInputChange={(_, value) => setInputValue(value)}
diff --git a/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPage.test.tsx b/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPage.test.tsx
index 1174d84b11..1fd7544ea4 100644
--- a/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPage.test.tsx
+++ b/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPage.test.tsx
@@ -18,14 +18,34 @@ import { screen } from '@testing-library/react';
 import { renderInTestApp, TestApiProvider } from '@backstage/test-utils';
 import { TemplateFormPage } from './TemplateFormPage';
 import { rootRouteRef } from '../../../routes';
-import { catalogApiRef } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
+import {
+  catalogApiRef,
+  defaultEntityPresentation,
+  entityPresentationApiRef,
+} from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 
 describe('TemplateFormPage', () => {
   const catalogApiMock = { getEntities: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]) };
 
+  const entityPresentationApi: typeof entityPresentationApiRef.T = {
+    forEntity(entityOrRef, context) {
+      const presentation = defaultEntityPresentation(entityOrRef, context);
+      return {
+        snapshot: presentation,
+        update$: { subscribe: () => ({ unsubscribe: () => {} }) } as any,
+        promise: Promise.resolve(presentation),
+      };
+    },
+  };
+
   it('Should render without exploding', async () => {
     await renderInTestApp(
-      <TestApiProvider apis={[[catalogApiRef, catalogApiMock]]}>
+      <TestApiProvider
+        apis={[
+          [catalogApiRef, catalogApiMock],
+          [entityPresentationApiRef, entityPresentationApi],
+        ]}
+      >
         <TemplateFormPage />
       </TestApiProvider>,
       {
@@ -41,7 +61,12 @@ describe('TemplateFormPage', () => {
 
   it('Should have an link back to the edit page', async () => {
     await renderInTestApp(
-      <TestApiProvider apis={[[catalogApiRef, catalogApiMock]]}>
+      <TestApiProvider
+        apis={[
+          [catalogApiRef, catalogApiMock],
+          [entityPresentationApiRef, entityPresentationApi],
+        ]}
+      >
         <TemplateFormPage />
       </TestApiProvider>,
       {
diff --git a/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPreviewer.tsx b/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPreviewer.tsx
index d2db8c4a62..b436f56427 100644
--- a/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPreviewer.tsx
+++ b/plugins/scaffolder/src/alpha/components/TemplateEditorPage/TemplateFormPreviewer.tsx
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ import { makeStyles } from '@material-ui/core/styles';
 import { alertApiRef, useApi, useRouteRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import {
   catalogApiRef,
-  defaultEntityPresentation,
+  entityPresentationApiRef,
 } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 import {
   LayoutOptions,
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ export const TemplateFormPreviewer = ({
   const classes = useStyles();
   const alertApi = useApi(alertApiRef);
   const catalogApi = useApi(catalogApiRef);
+  const entityPresentationApi = useApi(entityPresentationApiRef);
   const navigate = useNavigate();
   const editLink = useRouteRef(editRouteRef);
 
@@ -166,16 +167,19 @@ export const TemplateFormPreviewer = ({
             'spec.output',
           ],
         })
-        .then(({ items }) =>
-          setTemplateOptions(
-            items.map(template => ({
-              label: defaultEntityPresentation(template, {
-                defaultKind: 'template',
-              }).primaryTitle,
+        .then(async ({ items }) => {
+          const options = await Promise.all(
+            items.map(async template => ({
+              label: (
+                await entityPresentationApi.forEntity(template, {
+                  defaultKind: 'template',
+                }).promise
+              ).primaryTitle,
               value: template,
             })),
-          ),
-        )
+          );
+          setTemplateOptions(options);
+        })
         .catch(e =>
           alertApi.post({
             message: `Error loading existing templates: ${e.message}`,
diff --git a/plugins/techdocs/src/home/components/Tables/helpers.ts b/plugins/techdocs/src/home/components/Tables/helpers.ts
index 5c972b0233..4ec3123fe8 100644
--- a/plugins/techdocs/src/home/components/Tables/helpers.ts
+++ b/plugins/techdocs/src/home/components/Tables/helpers.ts
@@ -14,10 +14,15 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { RELATION_OWNED_BY, Entity } from '@backstage/catalog-model';
+import {
+  RELATION_OWNED_BY,
+  Entity,
+  stringifyEntityRef,
+} from '@backstage/catalog-model';
 import {
   defaultEntityPresentation,
   getEntityRelations,
+  type EntityPresentationApi,
 } from '@backstage/plugin-catalog-react';
 import { toLowerMaybe } from '../../../helpers';
 import { ConfigApi, RouteFunc } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
@@ -32,6 +37,7 @@ export function entitiesToDocsMapper(
   entities: Entity[],
   getRouteToReaderPageFor: getRouteFunc,
   config: ConfigApi,
+  entityPresentation?: EntityPresentationApi,
 ) {
   return entities.map(entity => {
     const ownedByRelations = getEntityRelations(entity, RELATION_OWNED_BY);
@@ -48,11 +54,15 @@ export function entitiesToDocsMapper(
         }),
         ownedByRelations,
         ownedByRelationsTitle: ownedByRelations
-          .map(
-            r =>
-              defaultEntityPresentation(r, { defaultKind: 'group' })
-                .primaryTitle,
-          )
+          .map(r => {
+            if (entityPresentation) {
+              return entityPresentation.forEntity(stringifyEntityRef(r), {
+                defaultKind: 'group',
+              }).snapshot.primaryTitle;
+            }
+            return defaultEntityPresentation(r, { defaultKind: 'group' })
+              .primaryTitle;
+          })
           .join(', '),
       },
     };