How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names?

Dino names can be made out of Greek or Latin words that indicate physical characteristics. They might also be called for the place where scientists discovered the fossils of the ancient reptile. Dinosaurs are called by their size, a distinguishing physical feature, the area where they were discovered, a person involved in the discovery and identification of the dinosaur, their likeness to one of today's species, or behavior they are known to have shown. There are no unique requirements for naming dinosaurs. However, there are some patterns that many dinosaur discoverers appear to have followed when naming these ancient beasts.