Names based on personal names should follow Latin grammar; they may be a noun in the genitive case, a noun in apposition (nominative case) or an adjective or participle (Article 31). Of these a noun in the genitive case is recommended. This is formed by adding the stem of the name to a standard ending. A Latin equivalent for a personal name is often used. Names in languages using non-Latin characters can be transliterated into Latin characters. Some examples:
|
Personal name |
Latinised? |
Stem of name |
Gender ending (-ae for |
Species name |
|
Margaret |
No |
margaret- |
-ae |
margaretae |
|
Margaret |
Margarita or |
margarit- or |
-ae |
margaritae or margarethae |
|
Karl |
No |
karl- |
-i |
karli |
|
Karl |
Carolus |
carol- |
-i |
caroli |
|
Margaret and Jane Smith |
No |
smith- |
-arum |
smitharum |
|
Shawn and Jack Smith |
No |
smith- |
-orum |
smithorum |
|
Margaret and John Smith |
No |
smith- |
-orum |
smithorum |
While there are different endings for male and female names, there is no implied value judgement in the endings.
Nouns in apposition are not recommended because the ending of the name is unchanged, and so it could be confused with an author name (Rec. 31A).
Adjectives based on the endings –anus/ -ana/ -anum or –ianus/ -iana/ -ianum are not recommended because they can sound rude, for example using the surname Bush could result in bushianus. Do not use a name which may cause offence (Appendix A); it is advisable to check with the person after whom the new species is being named that they are happy for their name to be used. Care should be taken because incorrectly formed names cannot always be changed afterwards (Articles 32, 34).