Binomial Nomenclature
/by-NOH-mee-al NOH-men-klay-chur/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
Also known as: Latin name, scientific name, botanical name
Binomial nomenclature is the formal system of naming species established by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Each species receives a unique two-part Latin name: the genus (capitalized) and the specific epithet (lowercase), both italicized — e.g., Quercus alba (white oak). This system provides a universal language for identifying organisms regardless of common name variations across languages and regions.
Etymology
From Latin bi- (two) + nomen (name) + calare (to call)
Example
“Knowing the binomial nomenclature Acer saccharum eliminates confusion between the many trees called "maple" worldwide.”