Common name facts for kids

A common name is the everyday name people use for an animal, plant, or other living thing. It's like a nickname that everyone understands. For example, you might call a furry pet a "cat," but its scientific name is Felis catus. Common names are different from scientific names, which are special names used by scientists all over the world.

People use common names because they are usually much easier to remember and say than long scientific names, which are often in Latin or Greek. Common names can also be called vernacular names, English names, popular names, or farmer's names.

Sometimes, groups like scientists or nature organizations create or agree on common names. They do this so that everyone can use the same easy-to-understand name for a specific animal or plant, without having to learn its complicated scientific name. This helps people talk about nature more easily.

What is a Common Name?

A common name is simply the name that most people use for a living thing in their everyday language. Think about the animals and plants you see around you. You probably call them by their common names, like "dog," "tree," or "flower." These names are part of our culture and how we talk about the world.

Common names are very useful because they help us communicate quickly and easily about different species. Imagine trying to remember and say the scientific name for every animal or plant you encounter! Common names make it simple for everyone, from kids to farmers, to understand what someone is talking about.

Why Do We Use Common Names?

We use common names for several good reasons:

• Easy to remember: Common names are usually short and familiar.
• Simple to pronounce: They are often words from our own language, making them easy to say.
• Everyday communication: They help us talk about nature without needing special scientific training.
• Cultural connection: Many common names have been used for a long time and are part of local traditions.

For example, it's much easier to say "robin" than Turdus migratorius, or "oak tree" instead of Quercus robur. This makes learning about nature more fun and accessible for everyone.

Common Names vs. Scientific Names

It's important to know the difference between common names and scientific names.

• Common names are used by the general public and can change from place to place.
• Scientific names are unique names given by scientists, usually in Latin, and are used worldwide.

Every living thing has only one official scientific name, but it can have many different common names. For example, the animal we call a "puma" in North America is also known as a "cougar," "mountain lion," or "panther" in different places. However, its scientific name is always Puma concolor.

Scientific names are important because they avoid confusion. If a scientist in Japan talks about Puma concolor, a scientist in Brazil knows exactly which animal they mean, even if they use different common names in their own languages.

How Common Names Can Be Tricky

While common names are helpful, they can sometimes cause confusion:

• One common name, many species: Sometimes, the same common name is used for different species. For instance, "robin" refers to a different bird in Europe than it does in North America.
• Many common names, one species: A single species might have many common names, depending on the region or local dialect. This can make it hard to know if people are talking about the same thing.
• Not always precise: Common names don't always show how closely related species are. For example, a "red panda" and a "giant panda" share a common name, but they are not very closely related scientifically.

To avoid these problems, scientists rely on the unique scientific name for each species. However, for everyday use, common names remain incredibly popular and useful.

Images for kids

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  A robot, symbolizing how common names make complex things simpler for everyone.