Longest and shortest names
Recommendation 6 (1) of the ICNP (2008 Revision) states the following: "Avoid names or epithets that are very long or difficult to pronounce". In spite of Recommendation 6 there are some long monomials and epithets. The longest and shortest names validly published under the ICNP are listed below, assorted by their taxonomic category. Epithets of species and subspecies are treated separately. Other things being equal, taxonomists are advised to propose names and epithets whose length is as close as possible to the modes (the most frequent values) of the lengths listed below for each category. See also the LPSN introductory page on forming names.
Average: 13.54 characters
Mode: 13 characters (lower), 13 characters (upper)
Average: 16.06 characters
Mode: 16 characters (lower), 16 characters (upper)
Average: 12.54 characters
Mode: 13 characters (lower), 13 characters (upper)
Average: 15.06 characters
Mode: 15 characters (lower), 15 characters (upper)
Average: 22.86 characters
Mode: 23 characters (lower), 23 characters (upper)
Mode: 9 characters (lower), 9 characters (upper)
Average: 16.29 characters
Mode: 15 characters (lower), 15 characters (upper)
Average: 14.50 characters
Mode: 11 characters (lower), 18 characters (upper)
Average: 15.59 characters
Mode: 14 characters (lower), 17 characters (upper)
Average: 40.49 characters
Mode: 40 characters (lower), 40 characters (upper)
Mode: 9 characters (lower), 9 characters (upper)
Average: 12.17 characters
Mode: 12 characters (lower), 12 characters (upper)