How do I get a species of plant, insect or animal named after my family?

Answer 1

Andrew is right, with that type of wish it usually takes the discovery of a new species or a ton of money. Sometimes zoos will also run naming contests for new babies too.

If you want something different there is a webpage where you can name a star after someone. It really kinda neat what they offer. (if you are looking for a gift)

http://www.starregistry.com/?engine=adwords!6097&keyword=%2Aname+a+star%2A&match_type=

Answer 2

The easiest way is to discover and describe it. While you would forfeit all credibility as a biologist by naming it after yourself, you might be able to get away with naming it after a member of your family if you could come up with a reason for so doing. For example, if your name were John Smith and your wife's Mary Smith, you might be able to name the organism "Somethingorotherus marysmithae". A better way would be to collect a batch of new species and turn them over to a taxonomist for description. More than likely, one would be named after you as the collector.

Answer 3

You could discover it or pay a lot of money for the naming rights.