# \#common-names **URL:** https://forum.inaturalist.org/tag/common-names/29.md [Latest](https://forum.inaturalist.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.inaturalist.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tags.md) --- ## [Funny, long, or just plain weird animal names](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/funny-long-or-just-plain-weird-animal-names/3220)
**Author:** [@alexis\_orion](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/alexis_orion)\ **Replies:** 1016\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2026, 8:20am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/funny-long-or-just-plain-weird-animal-names/3220 "2026-10-22T08:20:40Z")
I used to often go through lists, google searches, and so on looking for funny/weird animal names. I have made quite a few lists already, and I thought I would make a post here to see if some of you know some good ones.… --- ## [Web interface is showing Scots common name: butterflee](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/web-interface-is-showing-scots-common-name-butterflee/86942)
**Author:** [@pburka](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pburka)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2026, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/web-interface-is-showing-scots-common-name-butterflee/86942 "2026-10-18T11:40:16Z")
Platform: Mac OS Browser, if a website issue: Vivaldi macOS Version 26.6.2 (Build 25G83) URLs (aka web addresses) of any relevant observations or pages: Screenshots of what you are seeing: Description of problem: … --- ## [Three taxa are named "Peruvian Lily," what's up with this?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/three-taxa-are-named-peruvian-lily-whats-up-with-this/86285)
**Author:** [@NuthatchFanatic](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/NuthatchFanatic)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2026, 7:25am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/three-taxa-are-named-peruvian-lily-whats-up-with-this/86285 "2026-10-03T07:25:01Z")
Hi, I was looking through iNat’s Compare tool, set it to “Filter by place” (you can do this by clicking on the place in the tool and clicking on the X next to it), and found 3 totally different species all called “Peruv… --- ## [Wildspecies.ca summary for curators](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/wildspecies-ca-summary-for-curators/85035)
**Author:** [@JeremyHussell](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/JeremyHussell)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/wildspecies-ca-summary-for-curators/85035 "2026-09-19T15:11:04Z")
The Canadian government has been compiling a list of every wild species ever recorded in Canada. They have put out a report every 5 years: 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020. The first report only dealt with vertebrates. The l… --- ## [Interesting, funny, weird, e.t.c. plant names](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/interesting-funny-weird-e-t-c-plant-names/17932)
**Author:** [@haemocyanin11](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/haemocyanin11)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/interesting-funny-weird-e-t-c-plant-names/17932 "2026-09-04T15:34:15Z")
I realized that I accidentally posted a weird/funny Plant name on the post Funny, long, or just plain weird animal names. Instead of just deleting my comment, I think I will make another topic specifically for Plant name… --- ## [Your favorite common names that confuse identification](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/your-favorite-common-names-that-confuse-identification/84760)
**Author:** [@paul\_dennehy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/paul_dennehy)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2026, 6:16am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/your-favorite-common-names-that-confuse-identification/84760 "2026-09-04T06:16:56Z")
One perpetual battle when identifying organisms is that the common names frequently lead us astray as to the characteristics of the organism. They can be overly generic descriptions that fail to capture anything unique a… --- ## [If you could rename an existing species](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/if-you-could-rename-an-existing-species/6554)
**Author:** [@tgbirdnerd](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tgbirdnerd)\ **Replies:** 342\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/if-you-could-rename-an-existing-species/6554 "2026-09-04T00:07:57Z")
If you could rename any existing species, what species would it be? What would it’s new name be? I would rename the Magnificent Frigatebird the “American Heartbird” --- ## [Option to add names not visible](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/option-to-add-names-not-visible/81070)
**Author:** [@ratnodip](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ratnodip)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/option-to-add-names-not-visible/81070 "2026-07-01T16:39:18Z")
There is no option to add common names in the Taxonomy section. But according to posts in this forum and the curator guide, there should be an option to add names. --- ## [Species naming conventions and capitalization in non-English languages](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/species-naming-conventions-and-capitalization-in-non-english-languages/8730)
**Author:** [@ondrejzicha](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ondrejzicha)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/species-naming-conventions-and-capitalization-in-non-english-languages/8730 "2026-05-18T18:09:57Z")
While the current automatic capitalization of common names works quite fine for English language and as I understand the previous discussion about correct formatting of English names of certain taxonomic ranks and groups… --- ## [Is it possible to adjust Russian bird names to match the IOC World Bird List?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-it-possible-to-adjust-russian-bird-names-to-match-the-ioc-world-bird-list/75581)
**Author:** [@tatiana\_chimera](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tatiana_chimera)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-it-possible-to-adjust-russian-bird-names-to-match-the-ioc-world-bird-list/75581 "2026-03-15T19:15:37Z")
Can developers of iNat automatically align Russian names with IOC World Bird List? See https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/ioc-lists/master-list-2/ Multilingual Version file (v15.1, Excel file XLSX, 7.8 MB) Not all names… --- ## [Genus names in German and other languages](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/genus-names-in-german-and-other-languages/71405)
**Author:** [@spint](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/spint)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/genus-names-in-german-and-other-languages/71405 "2025-10-10T17:41:21Z")
Hi everyone, I have a question about best practices for consistent curation of common names. I will explain the issue in the context of German common names, which are the ones I deal with most frequently, but the same i… --- ## [Making a common name for Oudemansiella gigaspora](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/making-a-common-name-for-oudemansiella-gigaspora/67778)
**Author:** [@rangerpuffin](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/rangerpuffin)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/making-a-common-name-for-oudemansiella-gigaspora/67778 "2025-07-23T13:54:32Z")
Hi I have observed some of the mushroom Oudemansiella gigaspora and noticed there are a lot of them around (3,470 observations on iNat). If I can’t make a common name on iNaturalist then how could I make one for the sp… --- ## [Source of sawfly vernacular names](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/source-of-sawfly-vernacular-names/62073)
**Author:** [@nature00spotter](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/nature00spotter)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2025, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/source-of-sawfly-vernacular-names/62073 "2025-02-27T15:17:53Z")
The Sawfly Recording Scheme of Great Britain now has preferred vernacular names for all the sawflies species found in the United Kingdom. These are being uploaded to the UK Species Index and will eventually filter into i… --- ## [Source for adding common names in none English Language](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/source-for-adding-common-names-in-none-english-language/59647)
**Author:** [@val91](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/val91)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/source-for-adding-common-names-in-none-english-language/59647 "2024-12-23T18:18:38Z")
Hello, I got a question concerning common names, I wanted to add some local French names to some species but that made me realise what would you consider as good sources or quotations for locals names when the language … --- ## [Is The Pet Trade a Legitimate Source For Common Names?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-the-pet-trade-a-legitimate-source-for-common-names/57288)
**Author:** [@raymie](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/raymie)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2024, 7:12am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/is-the-pet-trade-a-legitimate-source-for-common-names/57288 "2024-10-26T07:12:43Z")
Several times, I have added common names that are used a “trade names” - that is, the common names that many private breeders use when they sell the animal. I have been told by several users that this is not a legitimate… --- ## [Curator guidelines about made-up names](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curator-guidelines-about-made-up-names/53099)
**Author:** [@JeremyHussell](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/JeremyHussell)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curator-guidelines-about-made-up-names/53099 "2024-09-24T23:04:12Z")
The Curator Guide is very clear that we should not make up names to add to iNaturalist, but I’d like some additional clarity on whether we should avoid adding names made up by other people. In the cases I’m dealing with,… --- ## [What to do about silly common names?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-to-do-about-silly-common-names/52452)
**Author:** [@Jarronevsbaru](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/Jarronevsbaru)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2024, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-to-do-about-silly-common-names/52452 "2024-08-05T21:11:19Z")
I recently stumbled upon Polydrusus formosus, which has a common name on iNaturalist listed as the “Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil”. I find this name silly in the sense that it’s used worldwide, however the weevil itself po… --- ## [Second-rate species?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/second-rate-species/48050)
**Author:** [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2024, 12:39pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/second-rate-species/48050 "2024-01-15T12:39:39Z")
I remember this thread from long ago, The Right of a Fly to a Common Name. It was an enjoyable conversation then, and I have enjoyed re-reading it now. I draw attention to one point made in that thread And the reply … --- ## [Add justification when changing default common names](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/add-justification-when-changing-default-common-names/47770)
**Author:** [@keirmorse](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/keirmorse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/add-justification-when-changing-default-common-names/47770 "2023-12-26T22:30:31Z")
Platform: Web Description of need: When editing, adding, removing common names, we are prompted with the following note box asking for justification, which is a very good thing. If someone makes a change, I can then go… --- ## [Exporting lexicons](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/exporting-lexicons/47306)
**Author:** [@stekkelpak](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/stekkelpak)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/exporting-lexicons/47306 "2023-12-05T19:46:41Z")
I’d like to export the common names in a language, added by a user, to run a quick quality check. What’s the best way to create such an export? --- ## [Fontes de nomes comuns?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/fontes-de-nomes-comuns/47142)
**Author:** [@o\_andras](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/o_andras)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/fontes-de-nomes-comuns/47142 "2023-12-05T19:04:40Z")
Olá, que fontes podem ser usadas para completar os nomes comuns de uma espécie? Por exemplo, Turdus merula já tem nome comum (Melro), mas se não tivesse poderia usar um livro como o Guia de Aves para adicionar um? (Esc… --- ## [Common names invented on Wikipedia](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/common-names-invented-on-wikipedia/47269)
**Author:** [@plantdrew](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/plantdrew)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/common-names-invented-on-wikipedia/47269 "2023-12-04T19:03:47Z")
iNaturalist has picked up a bunch of “common names” that were invented on Wikipedia. \[There is a Wikipedia discussion about the editor who invented the names at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Administrators'\_no… --- ## [AOS to change names of all birds in their jurisdiction which are currently named after people](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/aos-to-change-names-of-all-birds-in-their-jurisdiction-which-are-currently-named-after-people/46467)
**Author:** [@physics](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/physics)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 8:29pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/aos-to-change-names-of-all-birds-in-their-jurisdiction-which-are-currently-named-after-people/46467 "2023-11-08T20:29:49Z")
https://americanornithology.org/about/english-bird-names-project/ Thought this might be of interest to people here! The American Ornithology Society announced this morning that they are committing to changing the names … --- ## [Search isn't finding taxon by hebrew name without vowels.. (nikud)](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/search-isnt-finding-taxon-by-hebrew-name-without-vowels-nikud/45292)
**Author:** [@talshaul](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/talshaul)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2023, 9:16am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/search-isnt-finding-taxon-by-hebrew-name-without-vowels-nikud/45292 "2023-09-19T09:16:43Z")
Please fill out the following sections to the best of your ability, it will help us investigate bugs if we have this information at the outset. Screenshots are especially helpful, so please provide those if you can. Pla… --- ## [When adding/editing a common name, don't display prompt for accepted scientific name](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/when-adding-editing-a-common-name-dont-display-prompt-for-accepted-scientific-name/43489)
**Author:** [@jdmore](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jdmore)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/when-adding-editing-a-common-name-dont-display-prompt-for-accepted-scientific-name/43489 "2023-07-20T16:47:50Z")
Platform(s), such as mobile, website, API, other: website URLs (aka web addresses) of any pages, if relevant: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/512409/taxon\_names/new (example) Description of need: When adding a common… --- ## [Common names invented on iNat](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/common-names-invented-on-inat/27452)
**Author:** [@alesbucek](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/alesbucek)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/common-names-invented-on-inat/27452 "2023-03-29T23:05:46Z")
UPDATE: please try to avoid discussing advantages/disadvantages/differences of common and scientific names here. This topic specifically addresses a problem that is frequent - particularly in some groups of organisms - o… --- ## [Incorrect family names, potential issue with the source](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/incorrect-family-names-potential-issue-with-the-source/38628)
**Author:** [@stekkelpak](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/stekkelpak)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/incorrect-family-names-potential-issue-with-the-source/38628 "2023-01-15T19:44:37Z")
I noticed a few instances where the Hungarian common name added to the family was actually a common name for a lower level taxon, which points to potential problems with the source. Examples: Euphorbiaceae: incorrect:… --- ## [Lexicon Русский should be Russian, cause lexicons should be in English](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lexicon-should-be-russian-cause-lexicons-should-be-in-english/38395)
**Author:** [@optilete](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/optilete)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/lexicon-should-be-russian-cause-lexicons-should-be-in-english/38395 "2023-01-07T13:28:23Z")
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/960200-Tarucus-balkanica https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/96767-Carcharhinus-sorrah You see the same name Голубянка балканская for two lexicons, Russian and Русский. The lexicon Русс… --- ## [What are some nature related nicknames you’ve come up with?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-are-some-nature-related-nicknames-you-ve-come-up-with/33920)
**Author:** [@wolfram06](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/wolfram06)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-are-some-nature-related-nicknames-you-ve-come-up-with/33920 "2022-09-11T18:35:16Z")
What are some fun nicknames you’ve given to things you find out in nature? Here are some of mine: Buggy Buddy: Referring to insects, and also pill bugs. This excludes when I’m being chased by a wasp/hornet, or have been… --- ## [Data on history of common name changes](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/data-on-history-of-common-name-changes/27507)
**Author:** [@alesbucek](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/alesbucek)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/data-on-history-of-common-name-changes/27507 "2021-11-02T22:58:55Z")
Is it possible to retrieve in any form the history of common name changes on iNat? This should include at minimum the date of addition of each common name, the flags and how they were resolved (deleted, modified, no chan… [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tag/common-names/29.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=common-names)