How Do Scientists Name New Dinosaur Species? The Process Explained

When scientists discover a new dinosaur, the naming process is more structured than most people realize. The name is not whatever sounds cool — it follows specific rules established by the international scientific community, has to be approved before it counts officially, and usually has meaning rooted in Latin or Greek. This guide walks through how scientists actually name a new dinosaur species, with examples from famous discoveries.

The short answer#

When paleontologists discover a new dinosaur, they document the fossil, compare it to known species to confirm it's new, then publish a scientific paper that includes a proposed name (genus + species in Latin/Greek format). The name has to follow specific rules, get peer-reviewed, and be accepted by the broader scientific community. Once published in a recognized journal, the name becomes official.

Step 1 — Confirm it's actually new#

The first step is making sure the discovery is genuinely a new species. This involves:

Comparison to known species#

The paleontologist compares the fossil to every known similar dinosaur. Skull shape, bone size and proportion, distinctive features, where it was found, and what time period it lived in.

Consultation with experts#

Other paleontologists weigh in on whether the differences are significant enough to constitute a new species, or whether it's just variation within an existing species.

Type specimen#

A "type specimen" — the specific fossil(s) the new species is described from — is designated. This is the reference all future identifications of the species will compare to.

This step alone can take years. Many fossils discovered in the field are eventually identified as known species rather than new ones.

Step 2 — Choose the name#

The naming follows specific rules in a system called binomial nomenclature — every species has a two-part Latin/Greek name (genus + species).

Format#

• Genus name — capitalized (Tyrannosaurus)
• Species name — lowercase (rex)
• Both italicized in formal writing
• Together they uniquely identify the species (Tyrannosaurus rex)

Common name sources#

Paleontologists often choose names that describe:

• Body features — Stegosaurus (means "roof lizard"), Triceratops (means "three-horned face")
• Behavior or diet — Velociraptor (means "swift thief")
• Location of discovery — Albertosaurus (named after Alberta, Canada)
• The person who discovered it — Sue (a T-Rex specimen named after its discoverer, Sue Hendrickson)
• Cultural references — Mythological names like Achillobator (after Achilles), Tianyuraptor (after a Chinese county)
• Aboriginal language — Many newer species use indigenous language names from where they were found (e.g., Australovenator)

Rules#

The name must:

• Be unique — not already used for a different organism
• Be in Latin or Greek format — pronounceable in a scientific way
• Be descriptive or meaningful in some way (though "meaningful to the namer" counts)
• Follow Latin grammar rules for gender and case

The body that maintains these rules is the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).

Step 3 — Publish a scientific paper#

The name has to be published in a recognized scientific journal to become official. The paper typically includes:

• Description of the type specimen — detailed anatomy, photos, measurements
• Proposed name with etymology (where the name comes from)
• Comparison to similar species showing why it's different
• Geological context — where and when it lived
• Discussion of what the new species tells us about dinosaur evolution

Peer review happens before publication. Other paleontologists evaluate the paper, suggest changes, and ultimately accept or reject it.

Famous dinosaur names and their meanings#

Etymology of well-known dinosaurs.

• Tyrannosaurus rex — "Tyrant lizard king" (Greek + Latin). Named by Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1905.
• Triceratops — "Three-horned face" (Greek). Named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1889.
• Velociraptor — "Swift thief" (Latin). Named by Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1924.
• Brachiosaurus — "Arm lizard" (Greek) — referring to the long front legs. Named by Elmer Riggs in 1903.
• Stegosaurus — "Roof lizard" (Greek) — early paleontologists thought the plates lay flat like roof tiles. Named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1877.
• Diplodocus — "Double beam" (Greek) — referring to the double-beamed bones at the base of the tail. Named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1878.
• Allosaurus — "Different lizard" (Greek) — referring to its unique vertebrae. Named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1877.
• Spinosaurus — "Spine lizard" (Latin) — referring to the back sail. Named by Ernst Stromer in 1915.
• Pterodactylus — "Winged finger" (Greek) — referring to the wing supported by a single elongated finger. Named in 1809.
• Ankylosaurus — "Fused lizard" (Greek) — referring to the fused armor plates. Named by Barnum Brown in 1908.

The "Bone Wars" — how lots of dinosaurs got named#

A famous chapter in paleontology history. From about 1870 to 1890, two American paleontologists — Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh — competed bitterly to discover and name new dinosaur species. Their rivalry produced:

• Over 130 named dinosaur species (many later determined to be duplicates of each other's discoveries)
• A lot of pre-emptively-named bones with no real fossil basis
• Some hastily-named species that have been re-evaluated since

The Bone Wars era both vastly expanded our knowledge of dinosaurs and created confusion that took decades to sort out. Many "different" dinosaurs named separately by Cope and Marsh later turned out to be the same species discovered twice.

Modern naming conventions#

Today, dinosaur naming follows higher standards than in the Bone Wars era. Some recent practices:

Honoring discoverers and locations#

Many new species are named after the local language or region where they were found. This recognizes the contributions of local researchers and communities.

Honoring deceased paleontologists#

Some species get named after famous paleontologists who passed away. This is a respectful tradition in the field.

Cultural references#

Some species get named with literary, mythological, or pop culture references. Linhevenator (a Mongolian raptor) was named after the Linhe area; Brontolambeosaurus is a recent example with old-school naming.

Computational naming#

In rare cases, names are generated systematically (e.g., naming many similar specimens by location + sequential numbers).

At a Jurassic Petting Zoo event#

For schools running paleontology or biology units, dinosaur naming is one of the most engaging ways to introduce scientific reasoning. The five baby dinosaurs at our school events — Raptor, Pterodactyl, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus — are all examples of scientific names with specific meanings. Rangers can integrate the naming history into the Ranger-led narrative.

Frequently asked questions#

Can a kid name a dinosaur?#

Indirectly. Children can find fossils that contribute to naming new species, but the formal naming process requires publication in scientific journals — which requires graduate-level training. However, fossil contributions from amateurs (including kids) have helped describe new species in the past.

How do you pronounce dinosaur names?#

Generally Latin/Greek pronunciation rules. Vowels: a as in "father," e as in "they," i as in "machine," o as in "open," u as in "rule." Each syllable pronounced. So "Tyrannosaurus" is tih-RAN-oh-SAW-rus. "Velociraptor" is veh-LOSS-ih-RAP-ter. Pronunciation guides are often included in fossil guides and museum exhibits.

How many dinosaur species have been named?#

About 1,000 named dinosaur genera, with new species named every year. Active research continues to add to this number. Some early-named species have been revised or merged with others over time.

Are species named after famous people?#

Yes. Examples include Daspletosaurus (named after a researcher), Aniksosaurus (the Greek word for "to victory"), and many species commemorating paleontologists. Famous people who have had dinosaurs named after them include Mark Norell (Norellius) and David Attenborough (Attenborosaurus).

Can a name be changed once it's official?#

Rarely, and only with strong evidence. Sometimes a name is determined to be a duplicate (a species already named), and the older name takes priority. Major name changes require scientific consensus and follow specific ICZN rules.

What's the longest dinosaur name?#

A few species have very long names. Micropachycephalosaurus (small thick-headed lizard) is among the longest commonly cited.

Bring scientific naming to life#

For South Florida schools and families exploring how scientists work, dinosaur naming is one of the most engaging topics. Our school events and birthdays include educational content about real paleontology and scientific reasoning. Check date availability.