How Dinosaur Species Are Named: The Science of Dinosaur Taxonomy
How Dinosaur Species Are Named: The Science of Dinosaur Taxonomy
Every dinosaur name tells a story. Tyrannosaurus Rex means “Tyrant Lizard King.” Velociraptor means “Swift Thief.” Triceratops means “Three-Horned Face.” But who decides these names? What are the rules? And can you really name a dinosaur after yourself? The science of dinosaur naming—taxonomy—is a fascinating mix of strict international rules, Latin and Greek wordplay, and occasionally, pure creativity.
The Rules: Binomial Nomenclature
All living and extinct organisms are named using a system invented by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 called binomial nomenclature—every species gets a two-part name:
- Genus name (capitalized): The broader group the animal belongs to
- Species name (lowercase): The specific species within that genus
For example: Tyrannosaurus rex
- Tyrannosaurus = the genus (Greek: tyrannos “tyrant” + saurus “lizard”)
- rex = the species (Latin: “king”)
Both names are always written in italics (or underlined in handwriting), and the genus name is capitalized while the species name is lowercase. After first mention, the genus can be abbreviated: T. rex.
Who Gets to Name a Dinosaur?
The Discovery Team
The right to name a new dinosaur species belongs to the scientist(s) who formally describe it in a peer-reviewed scientific publication. This is not necessarily the person who found the fossil in the ground—it’s the person (or team) who conducts the detailed anatomical analysis and publishes the formal description.
The Publication Process
To be officially recognized, a new dinosaur name must:
- Be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal or book
- Include a diagnosis: A detailed description of the anatomical features that distinguish it from all other known species
- Designate a holotype: A specific physical specimen (housed in a public museum or institution) that serves as the permanent reference for the species
- Follow ICZN rules: The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) governs animal naming worldwide
The Priority Rule
The most important naming rule is the Principle of Priority: the first validly published name for a species takes precedence over all later names. This is why some familiar names get changed—if an earlier, forgotten name is rediscovered, it takes priority:
- Brontosaurus was considered a synonym of Apatosaurus for over a century (Apatosaurus was named first in 1877, Brontosaurus in 1879). However, a 2015 study argued they are distinct genera, potentially resurrecting the beloved Brontosaurus name.
- Anatosaurus was renamed Edmontosaurus when it was determined to be the same genus (Edmontosaurus was named first).
Where Do Dinosaur Names Come From?
Dinosaur names are typically derived from Latin and/or Greek roots, though any language can technically be used. Names usually reference one or more of the following:
1. Physical Features (Most Common)
| Dinosaur | Meaning | Feature Referenced |
|---|---|---|
| Triceratops | ”Three-horned face” | Three facial horns |
| Stegosaurus | ”Roofed lizard” | Back plates (originally thought to lay flat like roof tiles) |
| Pachycephalosaurus | ”Thick-headed lizard” | Dome-shaped skull |
| Spinosaurus | ”Spine lizard” | Tall neural spines forming a sail |
| Ankylosaurus | ”Fused lizard” | Fused armor plates |
| Therizinosaurus | ”Scythe lizard” | Enormous scythe-like claws |
| Dimetrodon | ”Two measures of teeth” | Two different tooth types |
2. Discovery Location
| Dinosaur | Meaning | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Edmontosaurus | ”Edmonton lizard” | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Albertosaurus | ”Alberta lizard” | Alberta, Canada |
| Argentinosaurus | ”Argentina lizard” | Argentina |
| Cryolophosaurus | ”Cold crest lizard” | Antarctica |
| Utahraptor | ”Utah thief” | Utah, USA |
| Minmi | Named after Minmi Crossing | Queensland, Australia |
3. People (Honorees)
It is considered bad form to name a dinosaur after yourself, but naming one after a colleague, mentor, or patron is common and seen as a great honor:
| Dinosaur | Named After |
|---|---|
| Lambeosaurus | Lawrence Lambe (paleontologist) |
| Marshosaurus | Othniel Charles Marsh (paleontologist) |
| Leaellynasaura | Leaellyn Rich (daughter of the discoverers) |
| Giganotosaurus carolinii | Ruben Carolini (amateur fossil hunter who found it) |
4. Behavior or Ecology
| Dinosaur | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Velociraptor | ”Swift thief” | Presumed speed and predatory behavior |
| Oviraptor | ”Egg thief” | Found near eggs (ironically, it was protecting its own eggs!) |
| Maiasaura | ”Good mother lizard” | Evidence of parental care |
| Troodon | ”Wounding tooth” | Distinctive serrated teeth |
5. Mythology and Culture
| Dinosaur | Reference |
|---|---|
| Zuul crurivastator | Zuul from Ghostbusters + “destroyer of shins” |
| Dracorex hogwartsia | ”Dragon king of Hogwarts” (Harry Potter) |
| Thanos simonattoi | Named for the Marvel villain (both have prominent chins) |
| Eoraptor | ”Dawn thief” (Greek mythology—Eos, goddess of dawn) |
Famous Naming Controversies
The Brontosaurus Debate
Perhaps the most famous naming controversy in dinosaur history:
- 1877: O.C. Marsh named Apatosaurus ajax
- 1879: Marsh named Brontosaurus excelsus, believing it was a different animal
- 1903: Elmer Riggs determined they were the same genus. Under the priority rule, Apatosaurus (named first) took precedence, and Brontosaurus was officially retired
- For over a century, scientists used Apatosaurus while the public stubbornly clung to the more dramatic Brontosaurus
- 2015: A massive study by Emanuel Tschopp et al. re-analyzed the specimens and argued they ARE different enough to be separate genera—potentially bringing Brontosaurus back from the dead
Nomen Dubium: “Doubtful Names”
Some dinosaur names are declared nomen dubium (“doubtful name”) when the original fossil material is too fragmentary to be diagnostic—meaning it could belong to any number of similar species:
- Troodon: Named from a single tooth in 1856, now considered too incomplete to be a valid genus by many paleontologists
- Megalosaurus: The first dinosaur ever named (1824), but the original material is fragmentary and the name became a “wastebasket taxon” where unrelated fossils were dumped for decades
The Wastebasket Problem
In the early days of paleontology, poorly understood fossils were often assigned to existing genera rather than described as new species. Megalosaurus and Iguanodon both became infamous “wastebasket taxa”—at one point, over 30 species were assigned to Megalosaurus, most of which turned out to be completely different animals.
Can You Name a Dinosaur?
The Official Way
If you discover and scientifically describe a new dinosaur species, you earn the right to name it. However, this typically requires:
- A degree in paleontology or related field
- Access to the fossil material
- Years of detailed anatomical study
- Publication in a peer-reviewed journal
The Unofficial Way
Several institutions have auctioned naming rights for fundraising purposes:
- In 2022, a children’s museum auction allowed the winner to propose a name for a new dinosaur species
- Some museums have held naming competitions for newly discovered species
What You Can’t Do
- Name it after yourself: Technically allowed by ICZN rules, but considered extremely poor scientific etiquette. It’s almost never done.
- Use offensive names: Names can technically be anything, but the scientific community informally self-polices against inappropriate choices
- Name it without a specimen: You must have a physical holotype specimen housed in a recognized public institution
Dinosaur Naming by the Numbers
- ~1,000 valid dinosaur genera have been named as of 2025
- ~50 new species are described each year (the rate has increased dramatically since the 1990s)
- China leads the world in new dinosaur species discoveries, followed by Argentina and the United States
- ~50% of all named dinosaur species are known from a single specimen
- The longest dinosaur name: Micropachycephalosaurus (23 letters)—ironically, one of the smallest dinosaurs
- The shortest dinosaur name: Mei (3 letters), a troodontid from China whose name means “soundly sleeping” (it was found in a sleeping pose)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a dinosaur name be changed after it’s published? A: Yes, but only under specific circumstances. If a previously named genus is found to be the same as a later-named one, the earlier name takes priority and the later name is “synonymized.” Individual scientists can also reclassify species from one genus to another based on new evidence.
Q: Do all dinosaur names end in “-saurus”? A: No, though it’s extremely common. “-saurus” means “lizard” in Greek and is a traditional suffix. Many dinosaurs have names ending in “-raptor” (thief), “-don” (tooth), “-ceratops” (horned face), “-mimus” (mimic), or other suffixes. Some have completely unique names like Mei, Khaan, or Raptorex.
Q: What happens if two scientists name the same dinosaur at the same time? A: The name published first—even by days—takes priority. In cases of truly simultaneous publication, the ICZN has rules for resolving the conflict, usually deferring to the first page or first use within the publication.
Q: Has a dinosaur ever been named as a joke? A: Semi-seriously, yes. Dracorex hogwartsia (“Dragon King of Hogwarts”) was named by children who visited the museum where it was housed. Irritator challengeri was named “Irritator” because the paleontologists were irritated that fossil dealers had altered the specimen with plaster before selling it. And Zuul crurivastator was named after the Ghostbusters villain because its horned skull bore a resemblance.
Q: Can extinct marine reptiles and pterosaurs be given dinosaur names? A: They follow the same ICZN naming rules but are not technically dinosaurs. Plesiosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, and Pteranodon are named the same way but belong to separate reptile groups.
The naming of dinosaurs is where rigorous science meets creative expression. Every name published is a permanent addition to humanity’s catalog of life on Earth—a label that will be used by scientists for centuries to come. Choose wisely.