Valid name (zoology)

In zoological nomenclature, the valid name of a taxon is the correct scientific name for that taxon. The valid name must be used for that taxon, regardless of any other name that may currently be used for that taxon, or may previously have been used. A name can only be valid (or invalid) when it is an available name under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN); if a name is unavailable, then it cannot be considered either valid or invalid.

Not to be confused with botany's validly published name, which is equivalent to zoology's available name

In contrast, a name which is available but not the correct name for a taxon is known as an invalid name.

There are two categories of invalid names.

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