A standardized system for naming viruses is necessary to ensure clear communication among scientists, public health officials, and medical professionals worldwide. Without this universal nomenclature, research findings could be misinterpreted, and public health responses hampered by confusion over the pathogen being discussed. This organized system provides a stable, unambiguous label for every known virus, allowing for accurate tracking of outbreaks and development of diagnostic tools. Establishing an accepted name is the first step toward understanding a virus’s biology and controlling its spread.
The Governing Authority: The ICTV
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) is the single body responsible for developing, maintaining, and ratifying the official classification and naming system for viruses. Operating under the authority of the Virology Division of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), the ICTV’s mandate is to create a stable, internationally agreed-upon taxonomy for all viruses, viroids, and certain mobile genetic elements. This work ensures that virus names are based on scientific principles and evolutionary relationships, not arbitrary choices. The committee communicates its taxonomic decisions and maintains the official Master Species List (MSL), the definitive index of all approved virus taxa.
The Taxonomic Hierarchy
Virus classification uses a hierarchical structure similar to the Linnaean system, but with rules tailored to virology. The formal ranks extend from the broadest grouping, the Realm, down through Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and finally to the Species level. Each rank is identified by a standardized suffix: Order names end with -virales, Family names end in -viridae, and Genus names end in -virus. All formal taxon names are written in italics and begin with a capitalized letter. Since 2021, the virus Species rank has been standardized to follow a binomial format, providing a clear label for the lowest taxonomic level (e.g., Betacoronavirus pandemicum).
The Official Naming Procedure
The process for officially naming a new virus begins with a taxonomic proposal submitted by any virologist. This proposal must include specific data, such as genetic sequencing and physical characterization, to justify its placement within the existing classification system. The proposal is assigned to one of the ICTV’s specialized Study Groups, which review the evidence and ensure alignment with the International Code of Virus Classification and Nomenclature. The Study Group may approve, reject, or suggest modifications before forwarding it to the ICTV Executive Committee (EC). Once the EC approves, the proposal is put to a final vote among the entire ICTV membership, and only after ratification by an absolute majority is the new name officially incorporated into the Master Species List.
Distinguishing Virus Names from Disease Names
A frequent point of confusion is the difference between the scientific name of the virus and the name of the disease it causes. The ICTV names the virus itself, classifying the biological entity based on its genetic structure and phylogeny (e.g., Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2). In contrast, the name of the disease is determined by the World Health Organization (WHO), often following the guidelines of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Disease names are chosen with a focus on public health, clinical communication, and surveillance, using terms that are easy to pronounce and avoid stigma. For example, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is officially named COVID-19.