A method and apparatus of using logical mode numbers during both prediction and coding in the bit stream, such as for high efficiency video coders (HEVC). These logical intra mode numbers are sorted based on angle which as a result leads to improved coding designs with fewer and smaller look-up tables, and a small gain in coding efficiency. Furthermore, by using this type of naming, the number of most probable modes (MPMs) can be readily extended since no additional tables are required. The use of three MPMs achieves a larger gain of 0.25% and 0.31% for the AI_HE and AI_LC cases, respectively.