From viral variants to devastating storms, how names shape the public's reaction to science
In episode 2 of 'What's in a name' we look at the how names can help scientists communicate with the public
Listen to What's in a name episode 2
Categorizing things is central to science. And there are dozens of systems scientists have created to name everything from the trenches on the sea bed to the stars in the sky.
But names have consequences. In our series What’s in a name we explore naming in science and how names impact the world — whether the system of naming species remains in step with society, how the names of diseases can create stigma, or even how the names of scientific concepts can drive the direction of research itself.
In episode two, we're looking at how the names chosen by scientists help, or hinder, communication with the public.
Well chosen names can quickly convey scientific concepts or health messages — in emergency situations they can even save lives. We'll hear how the systems of naming tropical storms and Covid-19 variants came to be, and how they took different approaches to achieve the same outcome.
We'll also consider the language used to talk about climate change, and how the ways of describing it have been used to deliberately introduce uncertainty and confusion.
Listen to the first episode Should offensive species names be changed? The organisms that honour dictators, racists and criminals
Sources
National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names
National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Names
World Meterological Organization: WMO Hurricane Committee retires tropical cyclone names and ends the use of Greek alphabet
World Health Organization: WHO announces simple, easy-to-say labels for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern
Nature: ‘A bloody mess’: Confusion reigns over naming of new COVID variants
Nature: Coronavirus variants get Greek names — but will scientists use them?
World Health Organization: World Health Organization Best Practices for the Naming of New Human Infectious Diseases
Science: Discovered a disease? WHO has new rules for avoiding offensive names
The Nation's Health: Scientists need to rethink how human disease names chosen, WHO advises: New best practice
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission: Whats in a Name? Global Warming vs. Climate Change
CNN: Is it climate change or global warming? How science and a secret memo shaped the answer
The Guardian: The climate emergency is here. The media needs to act like it
The Guardian: Why the Guardian is changing the language it uses about the environment
Music credits
Premiumaudio/Pond5
Richard Smithson/Triple Scoop Music/Getty Images
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00317-7
This story originally appeared on: Nature - Author:Charlotte Stoddart
