diff --git a/doc/api/events.md b/doc/api/events.md
index 8983d9d5daba51..1addeb123f4ed3 100644
--- a/doc/api/events.md
+++ b/doc/api/events.md
@@ -1337,7 +1337,7 @@ changes:
 -->
 
 * `emitter` {EventEmitter}
-* `name` {string}
+* `name` {string|symbol}
 * `options` {Object}
   * `signal` {AbortSignal} Can be used to cancel waiting for the event.
 * Returns: {Promise}
diff --git a/lib/events.js b/lib/events.js
index 4d8b5bbb1e6f3f..1d9239d276049b 100644
--- a/lib/events.js
+++ b/lib/events.js
@@ -967,7 +967,7 @@ function getMaxListeners(emitterOrTarget) {
  * Creates a `Promise` that is fulfilled when the emitter
  * emits the given event.
  * @param {EventEmitter} emitter
- * @param {string} name
+ * @param {string | symbol} name
  * @param {{ signal: AbortSignal; }} [options]
  * @returns {Promise}
  */