The Top 15 Longest Dinosaur Names Revealed

Leave a comment / By: Jerry Young / Updated on: 24th September 2023

Dinosaur names are highly descriptive. 

That’s because they’re carefully thought out to provide as much information about the prehistoric beast as possible. 

The dinosaur’s name can reference its size, a unique feature such as a cranial crest or plate, the location where it was found, or even the name of a famous person. 

Sometimes, it may even be a combination of all of these pieces of information. 

In a bid to give these prehistoric animals a descriptive name, we sometimes end up with a tongue twister that’s both long and difficult to pronounce. 

In this article, we list the top 15 longest dinosaur names 

15. Albalophosaurus

Name	Albalophosaurus
Letters	15
Name Meaning	White crest lizard
Pronunciation	Al-bal-o-foe-sore-us
Era	Mesozoic – Early Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Ornithischia & Ceratopsia
Diet	Herbivorous
Length	1 meter (3 feet)
Weight	10 kg (22 lbs)
Location	Asia

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The name Albalophosaurus translates as “white crest” lizard. 

But don’t be fooled into thinking this dinosaur had a white-colored crest, or any type of crest for that matter. 

The name refers to the snow-capped peak of Mt Hakushan in Japan, where the first fossil of this dinosaur was discovered in 1997. 

Albalophosaurus is one of the few dinosaur fossils that have been found in Japan.

This ceratopsian dinosaur lived during the Early Cretaceous Period and is considered a transitional form between the older ornithopods and their more derived ceratopsian descendants.‭ 

14. Adeopapposaurus 

Name	Adeopapposaurus
Letters	15
Name Meaning	Far-eating lizard
Pronunciation	uh-dee-oh-puh-POH-sawr-us
Era	Mesozoic – Early Jurassic
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Sauropoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Length	2–3 meters (6.5–10 feet)
Weight	100–200 kilograms (220 to 440 lbs)
Location	South America

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The Adeopapposaurus’ name isn’t the only long thing about this dinosaur. 

The prosauropod dinosaur also had a long neck. 

In fact, the dinosaur’s name translates as “far-eating lizard,” in reference to the dinosaur’s neck, which could extend far to reach plants. 

Fossils of this dinosaur’s upper body have been found, but nothing is known about the dinosaur’s appearance past the hips. 

It was most likely a herbivore with a keratinous beak for cutting vegetation for food. 

Adeopapposaurus lived in South America during the Early -Jurassic Period about 150 million years ago. 

It is one of the best-known early sauropods. 

This dinosaur was a relatively small sauropod with a maximum body length of about nine meters (30 feet) from head to tail.

13. Lapparentosaurus 

Name	Lapparentosaurus
Letters	17
Name Meaning	Named after Albert-Félix de Lapparent
Pronunciation	la-pa-ren-toh-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Middle Jurassic
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Sauropoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	6 meters (20 feet)
Length	15 meters (49 feet)
Weight	10.5 tons (23,148 lbs)
Location	Madagascar

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Lapparentosaurus is named after world-renowned French Paleontologist Albert-Félix de Lapparent, who discovered several new dinosaur species in the Sahara region during the 19th century. 

The dinosaur’s name translates as Lapparent’s lizard.

Lapparentosaurus lived during the Middle Jurassic Period. 

The genus was named in 1986 by paleontologist Jose Bonaparte based on fossils discovered in Madagascar, East Africa. 

Although this dinosaur is known from several individuals, it has not been properly studied. 

Even the size of this dinosaur isn’t well-known, but it probably grew to lengths of about 15 meters on average. 

12. Bruhathkayosaurus

Name	Bruhathkayosaurus
Letters	17
Name Meaning	Giant-bodied lizard
Pronunciation	broo-HATH-kay-oh-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Late Jurassic
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Sauropoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	N/A
Length	25–34 meters (82–112 feet)
Weight	80 tons (176,370 lbs)
Location	India

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Bruhathkayosaurus is a long-necked sauropod with a name as long as its body. 

The dinosaur’s name translates as “huge-bodied lizard,” a fitting name for this 35 meters (115 feet) long titanosaur. 

The name is derived from the Sanskrit words “bruhath,”  which means “huge,” and the Greek word “sauros,” which means “lizard.”

Although only known from fragmentary fossils, Bruhathkayosaurus is a worthy contender for the biggest dinosaur to have ever lived. 

Some of this dinosaur’s bones, such as its two meters (6.6 feet) long shin bone, were bigger than that of the Argentinosaurus, the current record holder for the largest dinosaur. 

The dinosaur’s bones were so huge they were initially mistaken for petrified wood. 

Unfortunately, this dinosaur’s bones got lost shortly after the initial discovery, so until additional fossils are discovered, the true size of the Bruhathkayosaurus might never be known. 

11. Brachytrachelopan

Name	Brachytrachelopan
Letters	17
Name Meaning	Short-necked pan‭
Pronunciation	Brak-e-trak-el-o-pan
Era	Mesozoic – Late Jurassic
Classification	Dinosauria,‭ ‬Saurischia‭ & ‬Sauropoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	2 meters (6.6 feet)
Length	10–11 meters (33–36 feet)
Weight	5 tons (11,000 lbs)
Location	Argentina (South America)

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The Brachytrachelopan’s neck is shorter than expected for a sauropod, but the dinosaur’s 17-letter name is among the longest of all dinosaurs. 

The dinosaur’s name references this distinct anatomy. 

It translates as “short-necked Pan,” with Pan being the Greek god of the shepherds.

The short neck of this dinosaur suggests that it had a specialized diet that included mostly low to medium-height vegetation. 

Because of this dinosaur’s relatively short neck, it grew to a maximum length of about 10 to 11 meters (33–36 feet) and weighed roughly five tons in body mass. 

It lived in present-day Argentina, South America, during the Late Jurassic Period. 

Due to its size, experts think the Brachytrachelopan occupied the same ecological niche as the similarly-sized iguanodontian ornithopods, which coincidentally are absent in the Late Jurassic ecosystem of South America. 

10. Haplocanthosaurus

Name	Haplocanthosaurus
Letters	17
Name Meaning	Simple-spined lizard
Pronunciation	hap-loh-KAN-tho-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Late Jurassic
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Sauropoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	4.2 meters (14 feet)
Length	20 meters (or over 66 feet)
Weight	12.8 tons (28,000 lbs)
Location	North America

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Before it got its long and complex name, Haplocanthosaurus was initially named Haplocanthus. 

But when John Bell Hatcher, the paleontologist that named the genus, learned about a fish species with a similar name, he opted to change the name of the newly discovered sauropod dinosaur. 

The name “Haplocanthosaurus” translates as “simple spined lizard,” a reference to the primitive and unspecialized vertebrae of this dinosaur compared to that of its more advanced relatives. 

Haplocanthosaurus was either a primitive macronarian or diplodocid dinosaur. 

It had a long neck and tail but with a relatively lower number of vertebrae compared to other sauropods.

Scientists have had a hard time classifying this dinosaur due to limited fossil remains. 

Haplocanthosaurus lived in North America during the Jurassic Period, between 155 and 152 million years ago.

9. Gigantspinosaurus

Name	Gigantspinosaurus
Letters	17
Name Meaning	Giant-spined lizard
Pronunciation	jy-gant-SPY-no-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Late Jurassic
Classification	Dinosauria, Ornithischia & Stegosauria
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	3 meters (9.8 feet)
Length	4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet)
Weight	700 kg (1500 lbs)
Location	Asia

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From its name, most people assume that the Gigantospinosaurus was a larger version of the already super-sized Spinosaurus. 

But both dinosaurs are not related at all. 

Gigantspinosaurus is a genus of stegosaurian dinosaur whose name translates as “giant-spined lizard.” 

The name refers to the gigantic spines on the shoulder of this dinosaur. 

In addition to the massive spine, this dinosaur also had relatively small dorsal plates across its back. 

Gigantspinosaurus lived in China during the Late Jurassic Period.

It was a medium-sized stegosaur, about 4.3 meters (14 feet) long and over 700 kilograms (1500 pounds) in weight. 

Some of the closest relatives of this dinosaur include the Kentrosaurus and Stegosaurus. 

8. Brachylophosaurus

Name	Brachylophosaurus
Letters	17
Name Meaning	Short-crested lizard
Pronunciation	Brak-e-loe-for-sore-us
Era	Mesozoic – Late Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Ornithischia & Orthinopoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	2.8 meters (9 feet)
Length	10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 feet)
Weight	7 tons (15,000 lbs)
Location	South America

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The Brachylophosaurus’ long name translates as “short-crested lizard,” which refers to the dinosaur’s relatively short cranial crest.

 In addition to the head crest, this dinosaur also had a prominent frill that ran down its back. 

This medium-sized hadrosaurid dinosaur lived in North America between 81-76.7 million years ago. 

It is one of the best-known dinosaurs in the hadrosaurid family, thanks to an abundance of fossil remains. 

Many of this dinosaur’s fossils are well-preserved, including a “‬dinosaur mummy” nicknamed Leonardo. 

‬Leonardo‭ had up to 90% of its entire body preserved and mummified, providing a detailed view of the dinosaur’s bones, muscles, tendons, and even skin pouches. 

7. Panamericansaurus

Name	Panamericansaurus
Letters	17
Name Meaning	Named after the Pan American Energy Company
Pronunciation	pah-nuh-MER-uh-kan-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Late Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Sauropoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	N/A
Length	11 meters (36 feet)
Weight	N/A
Location	South America

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The Panamericansaurus was named in honor of the Pan American Energy Company, the organization that sponsored the paleontological investigation that led to the discovery of this Titanosaurian dinosaur. 

This dinosaur was discovered for the first time in 2003, but it was not named and described officially until 2010. 

It was a medium-sized sauropod dinosaur that grew to an estimated length of about 11 meters (36 feet). 

Panamericansaurus lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous Period. 

This dinosaur is known from limited fossils. 

Much of what is known about this dinosaur is based on a comparison with its closest relative, the Aeolosaurus.

6. Opisthocoelicaudia

Name	Opisthocoelicaudia
Letters	19
Name Meaning	Posterior cavity tail
Pronunciation	oh-pisth-oh-SEH-lee-KAW-dee-uh
Era	Mesozoic – Late Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Sauropoda
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	5 meters (16 feet)
Length	11 to 13 meters (36-43 feet)
Weight	5 to 7 metric tons (11,000–15,000 lbs)
Location	Asia

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Opisthocoelicaudia was a sauropod dinosaur with a neck as long as its name. 

Although relatively small for a sauropod dinosaur, this dinosaur still reached lengths of about 11 to 13 meters (36-43 feet).

The name Opisthocoelicaudia translates as “posterior cavity tail.” it is a reference to the unusual opisthocoel shape of this dinosaur’s tail. 

The front end of each vertebra in this dinosaur’s tail was concave, while the back end was convex.

Based on this structure, scientists think this dinosaur was probably capable of rearing up on its hind legs while using its tail to support its weight. 

Opisthocoelicaudia lived during the Late Cretaceous Period in present-day Mongolia. 

5. Pachycephalosaurus

Name	Pachycephalosaurus
Letters	19
Name Meaning	Thick-headed lizard
Pronunciation	pak-ee-sef-uh-loh-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Late Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Ornithischia & Pachycephalosauria
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	4.3 meters (17.5 feet)
Length	4.5 to 5 meters (15 to 16.5 feet)
Weight	370–450 kilograms (820–990 lbs)
Location	Asia & North America

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You could say the Pachycephalosaurus is the larger version of the Micropachycephalosaurus, and you wouldn’t be wrong. 

The thick-headed lizard lends its name to the entire pachycephalosaurid suborder.

This dinosaur and all of its other relatives are known for their thick skulls. 

For the Pachycephalosaurus, the skull roof was up to 22 centimeters (9 inches) thick.

This dinosaur lived in parts of North America during the Late Cretaceous Period. 

With an estimated length of about 4.5 meters (14.8 feet)  and weight of about 370–450 kilograms (820–990 pounds), this dinosaur was the largest pachycephalosaurid and is the most famous member of the family.  

4. Eustreptospondylus

Name	Eustreptospondylus
Letters	19
Name Meaning	Well-curved vertebra
Pronunciation	yoo-strep-toh-SPON-duh-lus
Era	Mesozoic – Late Jurassic
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Theopoda
Diet	Carnivorous
Height	2 meters tall (6 feet 6 inches)
Length	4–6 meters (13–20 feet)
Weight	200 to 500 kilograms (440 to 1,100 lbs)
Location	Europe

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Eustreptospondylus has a name that’s difficult to pronounce, and it has also had a difficult history in terms of its identification and classification. 

When fossils of this dinosaur were first discovered in 1871, it was the most complete skeleton of a large theropod. 

Yet, it was only described but never named. 

The dinosaur went without a name of its own for several years. Instead, it was assigned to the genus Streptospondylus. 

It eventually got the name Eustreptospondylus to differentiate it from the Streptospondylus.

Eustreptospondylus was a medium-sized theropod dinosaur. 

It was capable of hunting smaller dinosaurs but may have also fed by scavenging on their carcass as well. 

It lived on a group of Islands located in southern England during the Late Jurassic Period.

3. Archaeornithomimus

Name	Archaeornithomimus
Letters	19
Name Meaning	Ancient bird mimic
Pronunciation	ar-kee-or-nith-oh-MY-mus
Era	Mesozoic – Late Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Theropoda
Diet	Omnivorous
Height	2.2 meters (7.2 feet)
Length	3–4 meters (10–13 feet)
Weight	45–91 kg (99–201 lbs)
Location	Asia

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The seven-syllable name of this Cretaceous Period dinosaur translates as “ancient bird mimic.”

It was a medium-sized theropod dinosaur that was roughly 3.4 meters (11 feet) long. 

This dinosaur had an average weight of about 45 to 91 kilograms (99–201 pounds). 

Archaeornithomimus was probably an omnivore. 

It was a pack hunter that could take down small mammals and other dinosaurs, but it was also capable of eating fruits, eggs, and other types of foods as available. 

Like some of its closest relatives, Archaeornithomimus probably had a covering of feathers on some parts of its body.

2. Carcharodontosaurus

Name	Carcharodontosaurus
Letters	19
Name Meaning	Shark-toothed lizard
Pronunciation	kar-kah-roh-DON-toh-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Early Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Saurischia & Theropoda
Diet	Carnivorous
Height	4 meters (13 feet)
Length	12–14 meters (39–46 feet)
Weight	6.6 and 16 tons (14,000–35,000 lbs)
Location	Argentina (South America)

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The Carcharodontosaurus’ name is a tongue twister. 

The name belongs to one of the largest theropod dinosaurs that lived in North Africa between 99 to 94 million years ago. 

Carcharodontosaurus grew to an average length of about 12 to 12.5 meters (39–41 feet) and weighed roughly six tons. 

This massive theropod dinosaur was a ferocious predator that may have hunted sauropod dinosaurs in its North African Ecosystem. 

The dinosaur’s name translates as “shark-toothed lizard,” a reference to the sharp shark-like teeth that lined the massive jaws of this dinosaur. 

This dinosaur’s skull measured about 1.6 meters (5.2 feet), about the same as the skull of the famous T. rex. 

As a result, this dinosaur is often referred to as Africa’s tyrannosaur. 

1.Micropachycephalosaurus

Name	Micropachycephalosaurus
Letters	23
Name Meaning	Tiny thick-headed lizard
Pronunciation	MY-kro-PACK-ee-sef-uh-loh-SAWR-us
Era	Mesozoic – Late Cretaceous
Classification	Dinosauria, Ornithischia & Ceratopsia
Diet	Herbivorous
Height	100 centimeters (3.2 feet)
Length	1 to 2 meters (3 to 6.5 feet)
Weight	2.3–4.5 kg (5–10 lbs)
Location	Asia (China)

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With a total of 23 letters and nine syllables, Micropachycephalosaurus holds the record for the dinosaur with the longest genus name. 

The name of this dinosaur translates as “small thick-headed lizard.”

It references the dinosaur’s small size as well as its thick dome-shaped skull (a feature it shares with other members of the Pachycephalosauria group). 

Other members of this suborder grew to an average length of about two to three meters, but the Micropachycephalosaurus was a diminutive little thing. 

At full adult size, this dinosaur was just one meter (3.3 feet) long and weighed about five to ten pounds. 

Micropachycephalosaurus was a herbivore.

It lived in China during the Late Cretaceous Period 

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachycephalosauria
• https://paulsereno.uchicago.edu/discoveries/carcharodontosaurus/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustreptospondylus
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opisthocoelicaudia
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panamericansaurus
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/haplocanthosaurusa-morrison-mystery-60808875/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapparentosaurus
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachytrachelopan