What Does the Word Dinosaur Mean and How are Dinosaurs Named?

What Does the Word Dinosaur Mean and How are Dinosaurs Named?

Greek, Latin, and other roots used in dinosaur names

Sir Richard Owen coined the word dinosaur, meaning "fearfully great lizard," in 1842. In Greek, "deinos" means "fearfully great" and "sauros" means "lizard."
Newly discovered dinosaurs are named by the discoverer or by the paleontologist who determines that it represents a new genus. There are many different ways to choose a dinosaur name. Sometimes the dinosaur is given a name that describes something unusual about its body, head, or feet. Some are named after the location where they are found, others are named for their behavior or size, and some are named to honor a person. The name has to be approved by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.