Who created binomial nomenclature?
Quick answer
Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) developed the modern system of binomial nomenclature, giving every species a two-part Latin name: a genus and a species. He used it consistently for plants in Species Plantarum (1753) and for animals in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae (1758).
Key facts
- Scientist
- Carl Linnaeus (Carl von Linné)
- Nationality
- Swedish
- Key works
- Systema Naturae (1735; 10th ed. 1758), Species Plantarum (1753)
- Nickname
- The father of modern taxonomy
How binomial names work
| Example | Genus | Species | Common name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homo sapiens | Homo | sapiens | Human |
| Panthera leo | Panthera | leo | Lion |
| Panthera tigris | Panthera | tigris | Tiger |
| Ailuropoda melanoleuca | Ailuropoda | melanoleuca | Giant panda |
Rules:
- The genus is capitalized; the species name is lowercase.
- Both are written in italics.
- After the first mention, the genus can be shortened: H. sapiens.
Why it was needed
Before Linnaeus, plants were often described with long Latin phrases. A wild rose might be called something like Rosa sylvestris inodora seu canina. Different scholars used different names for the same plant. Linnaeus’s short, consistent names made it far easier for scientists worldwide to communicate.
The ranks of classification
Linnaeus also organized life into nested groups. Modern biology uses:
| Rank | Human example |
|---|---|
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Hominidae |
| Genus | Homo |
| Species | sapiens |
The domain level was added much later; see which organisms lack a nucleus.
Linnaeus’s life
Linnaeus taught at Uppsala University, where he sent students around the world to collect specimens. He classified thousands of plants and animals. His ideas about fixed species came before evolution; see what evolution is.
Naming new species today
Scientists still follow his system. New species, often thousands a year, are named in published descriptions. Some names are playful, honoring celebrities or fictional characters. The giant panda’s diet is covered in what giant pandas eat.
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