Why Are Orcas Called Killer Whales?

Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Type	Marine mammal
Family	Cetacea
Habitat	Oceans worldwide
Conservation	Protected in most countries
Research Status	Ongoing scientific study

The Short Answer

Orcas are called “killer whales” because of a historical mistranslation. Spanish sailors in the 18th century witnessed orcas hunting and killing large whales, naming them “asesina de ballenas” (whale killer). When this name was translated into English, the word order was reversed, creating “killer whale” - implying a whale that kills, rather than a killer of whales. Despite this misleading name, orcas have never been confirmed to kill a human in the wild.

The Origin of the Name

Historical Timeline

Period	Event	Name Development
Ancient times	fish, seals, sea lions, other whales indigenous names	”Blackfish,” regional names
1600s-1700s	Spanish sailors observe hunting	”Asesina de ballenas”
1700s	Translation to English	”Killer whale” (reversed)
1758	Linnaeus scientific naming	Orcinus orca
1960s-present	”Orca” gains popularity	Both names in use

The Translation Error

Spanish Original	Literal Translation	English Result
Asesina	Killer/assassin	Killer
de	of	-
ballenas	whales	whale
Full phrase	”Killer of whales"	"Killer whale”

What Sailors Actually Observed

Behavior	Description	Impact on Name
Pack hunting large whales	Groups attacking gray/blue whales	”Whale killers”
Aggressive feeding	Dramatic attacks on prey	”Killer” reputation
Whale calf predation	Targeting vulnerable young	Confirmed predator status
Coordinated attacks	Sophisticated hunting strategies	Intelligence noted

Scientific Classification

Orca Is Actually a Dolphin

Taxonomy Level	Classification	Implication
Order	Cetacea	All whales and dolphins
Suborder	Odontoceti	Toothed whales
Family	Delphinidae	Oceanic dolphins
Genus	Orcinus	”Of the kingdom of the dead”
Species	O. orca	”Orca”

Comparison to True Whales

Feature	Orcas (Dolphins)	True Whales (Baleen)
Teeth	40-56 conical teeth	Baleen plates
Size	6-8 meters	10-30+ meters
Echolocation	Yes, sophisticated	Limited or none
Diet	Active predation	Filter feeding
Social structure	Complex pods	Less structured
Dorsal fin	Tall (males to 1.8m)	Small or absent

Why the Name “Orca”?

Scientific Naming

Name Element	Origin	Meaning
Orcinus	Latin “Orcus”	Roman god of the underworld
orca	Latin	”Kind of whale”
Combined meaning	-	”From the realm of the dead”

Alternative Names Worldwide

Language	Name	Meaning
English	Killer whale, Orca	Whale killer/underworld
Japanese	Shachi	”Orca”
Icelandic	Hahyrningur	”High fin”
Norwegian	Spekkhogger	”Blubber chopper”
Inuit	Aarlu	Traditional name
Russian	Kosatka	”Scythe” (from fin shape)

The Orca’s True Nature

As Apex Predators

Prey Type	Hunting Method	Success Rate
Fish (salmon)	Individual pursuit	High
Seals	Wave washing, beach attack	High
Sea lions	Coordinated chase	Moderate-high
Dolphins	Pack pursuit	Moderate
Sharks	Inversion technique	High when attempted
Large whales	Hours-long pack attacks	Moderate

Hunting Large Whales

Target	Typical Outcome	Strategy
Gray whale calves	Most common whale prey	Separate from mother
Humpback calves	Occasional	Similar tactics
Minke whales	Sometimes targeted	Chase exhaustion
Blue whale calves	Rare, documented	Extended pursuit
Adult large whales	Very rare	Only weakened individuals

Should the Name Be Changed?

Arguments for “Orca”

Reason	Explanation
Scientific accuracy	Not actually a whale
Reduces fear	”Killer” creates unwarranted concern
Conservation	Positive image aids protection
Historical correction	Fixes translation error

Arguments for “Killer Whale”

Reason	Explanation
Tradition	Centuries of usage
Recognition	More widely known
Accurate behavior	They do kill whales
Cultural significance	Embedded in literature, film

Current Usage Trends

Context	Preferred Name	Reasoning
Scientific papers	Both acceptable	Latin name primary
Conservation groups	”Orca” preferred	Positive messaging
Media	Both used	Audience familiarity
Whale watching	”Orca” increasing	Reduce fear
General public	”Killer whale” common	Traditional usage

Frequently Asked Questions

If orcas kill whales, why don’t they kill humans?

Despite their name, orcas don’t attack humans in the wild. Scientists believe this is because humans aren’t part of their evolutionary prey recognition - orcas have specialized diets passed down culturally through generations. We simply don’t “match” any prey template they’ve learned. Additionally, orcas are highly intelligent and may recognize humans as different from their usual prey.

Are “orca” and “killer whale” the same animal?

Yes, absolutely. “Orca” and “killer whale” refer to the same species, Orcinus orca. “Orca” derives from the scientific name, while “killer whale” comes from the historical Spanish name. Both are correct, though “orca” is increasingly preferred in conservation and scientific circles.

Do orcas really kill other whales?

Yes, orcas do hunt and kill other whales, particularly calves. This behavior gave rise to their Spanish name “whale killers.” Transient (Bigg’s) orcas specialize in marine mammal hunting, and documented attacks on gray whale calves, humpback calves, and even blue whale calves have been filmed. However, attacking healthy adult large whales is rare.

Why are orcas called “blackfish”?

“Blackfish” is an older common name used by some indigenous peoples and fishermen, referring to their dark coloration. However, this name is confusing because it’s also applied to pilot whales and other dark-colored cetaceans. The name became more widely known through the 2013 documentary of the same title about captive orcas.

Is “orca” a native/indigenous name?

No, “orca” comes from Latin scientific nomenclature, not indigenous languages. fish, seals, sea lions, other whales indigenous peoples have their own traditional names, including Inuit “aarlu,” Pacific Northwest “kakawin,” and others. Some conservation organizations advocate using traditional indigenous names where appropriate to honor these cultures’ long relationships with the species.

The Impact of the Name on Conservation

Impact	Details
Fear-based reactions	”Killer” creates unnecessary human fear
Hunting justification	Historical persecution as “killers”
Public perception	Movie villains, dangerous reputation
Conservation support	Despite name, now beloved species
Ecotourism	”Killer whale watching” major industry

For more about orca behavior and biology, see our articles on whether killer whales attack humans, killer whale size, and how fast killer whales can swim.

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