Why Use Scientific Names?

One reason for using Latin scientific name instead of common names is that common names can be confusing or misleading. For example the common name for a domestic cow is “la vache” in French, ‘die Kuh” in German, “la vaca” in Spanish, and “garoo” in Bengali. However, in all languages the scientific name is the same, and there is no confusion if we call the cow Bos taurus.