In zoology, a binomen, or binominal name, is the name of a species. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a set of rules in zoology that have one fundamental aim: to provide the maximum universality and continuity in classifying all animals according to taxonomic judgment. ...

A binomen is a name consisting of two names: generic name and specific name. Both names are typeset in italics, but only the generic name is capitalised.

Canis lupus the wolf.

If the generic name has already been mentioned in the same paragraph, it is often abbreviated to the initial letter in subsequent uses (C. lupus). Binomial name Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 The Grey Wolf (Canis lupus), also known colloquially as the wolf, is a mammal of the Canidae family and the ancestor of the domestic dog. ...

In a scientific publication, a name is incomplete without an author citation and publication details. This indicates who published the name; in what publication; with the date of the publication.

See also

• Nomenclature Codes
• binominal nomenclature
• in plants, a species gets a two part name, a binary name.