diff --git a/docs/api-guide/fields.md b/docs/api-guide/fields.md
index 6ee3c7308..b7ed87fdc 100644
--- a/docs/api-guide/fields.md
+++ b/docs/api-guide/fields.md
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ Corresponds to `django.db.models.fields.DecimalField`.
 - `min_value` Validate that the number provided is no less than this value.
 - `localize` Set to `True` to enable localization of input and output based on the current locale. This will also force `coerce_to_string` to `True`. Defaults to `False`. Note that data formatting is enabled if you have set `USE_L10N=True` in your settings file.
 - `rounding` Sets the rounding mode used when quantising to the configured precision. Valid values are [`decimal` module rounding modes][python-decimal-rounding-modes]. Defaults to `None`.
-- `normalize` Will normalize the decimal value. This will strip all trailing zeroes and change the value's precision to the minimum required precision to be able to represent the value without loosing data. Defaults to `False`.
+- `normalize_output` Will normalize the decimal value when serialized. This will strip all trailing zeroes and change the value's precision to the minimum required precision to be able to represent the value without loosing data. Defaults to `False`.
 
 #### Example usage
 
diff --git a/rest_framework/fields.py b/rest_framework/fields.py
index 612568e57..6efb38150 100644
--- a/rest_framework/fields.py
+++ b/rest_framework/fields.py
@@ -1014,11 +1014,11 @@ class DecimalField(Field):
     MAX_STRING_LENGTH = 1000  # Guard against malicious string inputs.
 
     def __init__(self, max_digits, decimal_places, coerce_to_string=None, max_value=None, min_value=None,
-                 localize=False, rounding=None, normalize=False, **kwargs):
+                 localize=False, rounding=None, normalize_output=False, **kwargs):
         self.max_digits = max_digits
         self.decimal_places = decimal_places
         self.localize = localize
-        self.normalize = normalize
+        self.normalize_output = normalize_output
         if coerce_to_string is not None:
             self.coerce_to_string = coerce_to_string
         if self.localize:
@@ -1126,9 +1126,7 @@ class DecimalField(Field):
 
         quantized = self.quantize(value)
 
-        # TODO: Should maybe name the value to something not bound to
-        #   quantized. Ex: out_value
-        if self.normalize:
+        if self.normalize_output:
             quantized = quantized.normalize()
 
         if not coerce_to_string:
diff --git a/tests/test_fields.py b/tests/test_fields.py
index 1d44c7260..1e5a25cba 100644
--- a/tests/test_fields.py
+++ b/tests/test_fields.py
@@ -1170,23 +1170,23 @@ class TestQuantizedValueForDecimal(TestCase):
         assert value == expected_digit_tuple
 
 
-class TestNormalizedValueDecimalField(TestCase):
+class TestNormalizedOutputValueDecimalField(TestCase):
     """
     Test that we get the expected behavior of on DecimalField when normalize=True
     """
 
     def test_normalize_output(self):
-        field = serializers.DecimalField(max_digits=4, decimal_places=3, normalize=True)
+        field = serializers.DecimalField(max_digits=4, decimal_places=3, normalize_output=True)
         output = field.to_representation(Decimal('1.000'))
         assert output == '1'
 
     def test_non_normalize_output(self):
-        field = serializers.DecimalField(max_digits=4, decimal_places=3, normalize=False)
+        field = serializers.DecimalField(max_digits=4, decimal_places=3, normalize_output=False)
         output = field.to_representation(Decimal('1.000'))
         assert output == '1.000'
 
     def test_normalize_coeherce_to_string(self):
-        field = serializers.DecimalField(max_digits=4, decimal_places=3, normalize=True, coerce_to_string=False)
+        field = serializers.DecimalField(max_digits=4, decimal_places=3, normalize_output=True, coerce_to_string=False)
         output = field.to_representation(Decimal('1.000'))
         assert output == Decimal('1')