What's in a Name?

Did you know that there are five extinct species found along the North Norfolk Coast that bear Alfred Savin's name? The list includes: Megaloceros savini, taken as synonymous with Megaloceros matritensis

• a vole (Mimomys savini)
• a shrew (Sorex savini)
• a bear (Ursus savinii)
• a deer (Megaloceros savini)
• an early type of antelope (Caprovis savinii)

But have you ever thought about the process of naming species—and why we have a single global system everyone agrees on?

The Problem with Common Names

A fossillised Megaloceros savini antler in the collection now at the Natural History Museum in London.Did you know the Puma (Puma concolor) holds the Guinness World Record for the animal with the greatest number of names—over 40 in English alone? From mountain lion to cougar, we recognize many of these, but imagine if every living creature had dozens of names depending on location and language. Or really long descriptive names that were a chore to say every time. Discussing wildlife would be a nightmare! And it isn't only about communication but accurate identification too! Without accurate identification, we wouldn't be able to create laws to protect certain species or help monitor populations in relation to climate change and habitat loss.
That all changed thanks to Carl Linnaeus. In the 18th century, Linnaeus, known as the father of modern taxonomy, created the classification system we still use today. His system groups living organisms based on what they are closely related to and gives each species a unique scientific name. This name is binomial, meaning it has two parts: the genus (like a surname) comes first, followed by the species (like a first name).
For example:
Canis lupus is the scientific name for the grey wolf. The genus Canis also includes the coyote (Canis latrans). Both belong to the wider family Canidae, which includes the red fox (Vulpes vulpes).

The Art of Naming Species

A mandible fossil of Ursus savini, the short-muzzled Savin's bear
When scientists discover a new species, they often have fun with the naming process. The genus is usually pre-determined based on what the creature is related to, but the species name can be almost anything:

• Appearance: The titan beetle (Titanus giganteus)—one of the largest beetles in the world—has a name that reflects its size.
• Location: The Scottish crossbill (Loxia scotica) is named for where it's found.
• Habitat: Such as the sand-loving plant (Aloe arenicola) – arenicola meaning sand dweller in Latin.
• People: Many species honour individuals who contributed to science or inspired the discoverers. Over 40 species are named after Sir David Attenborough, including a dragonfly (Acisoma attenboroughi).
• Sometimes, names are playful—like the horse fly Scaptia beyonceae, named for its spectacular golden abdomen reminiscent of Beyoncé's song “Bootylicious.”
• From Alfred Savin's fossils on the Norfolk coast to Beyoncé-inspired horse flies, species names tell stories. They also serve a critical purpose ensuring clarity in research, conservation, and global collaboration. Without it, uncovering our history or protecting biodiversity in a changing world would be nearly impossible.