scientificNames

Scientific names are the formal, Latin-based identifiers used to uniquely name living organisms. They provide a universal standard that helps scientists communicate clearly across languages and regions. The system was developed by Carl Linnaeus and remains central to modern taxonomy, biodiversity studies, and conservation.

The typical scientific name is binomial, consisting of two parts: a genus name and a species epithet. The genus is capitalized and the epithet is lowercase, and both are usually written in italics or underlined when handwritten. For example, Homo sapiens denotes the human species. In formal contexts the authority and the year of publication may follow the name, e.g., Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758, though these citations are often omitted in casual use.

Governing rules vary by organism group. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) covers animals; the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) covers plants, algae, and fungi. These codes address issues such as publication, type specimens, priority of names, and how to handle synonyms or homonyms. A name’s valid publication, the designation of a type specimen, and the principle of priority help stabilize nomenclature over time.

Scientific names enable precise communication in research, databases, and policy. They facilitate comparison across disciplines and geographies, support biodiversity inventories, and underpin conservation decisions. As taxonomy advances with genetic and phylogenetic data, names may be revised, but the binomial system remains the foundational framework for organizing biological diversity.