
Just published in Conservation Biology a new study looking at whether species named after celebrities get more attention from the public. We examined species across different animal groups – including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Here is what we found.
Overall, species named after celebrities were very likely to have more page views on Wikipedia than species not named after celebrities. The effect tended to be stronger the more famous the celebrity was. For example, species named after mega celebrities with over 1000 Wikipedia page views a day had 76% more page views than their relatives without celebrity names.
The study also found differences between animal groups. Naming invertebrates and amphibians after celebrities seemed to generate substantially more interest from the public than doing so for more popular groups like mammals and birds. This suggests celebrity names could be an especially effective strategy for boosting attention to typically overlooked species like insects and frogs.
The researchers encourage taxonomists – the scientists who name new species – to consider naming threatened yet little-known species after celebrities. Doing so could potentially increase public interest and support for conservation. However, they also note celebrity names can remind us of power imbalances in who gets honored. Taxonomists should aim for diverse, equitable and inclusive practices in naming species.
In a world of competing priorities, creative science communication matters. Celebrity species names seem to capture public interest, opening opportunities to highlight fascinating but often ignored creatures. With thoughtful naming choices, scientists can leverage celebrity cachet to get the word out on overlooked yet important species.