Abstract: A novel influenza virus has been causing global pandemic from April 2009 and its nomination also draws extensive discussions. After briefly reviewing the epidemics of the new virus, the history of influenza pandemics and the designation rules of influenza viruses, the author inclines to use “swine-origin H1N1 influenza viruses (SOIVs)” to name the currently prevalent strain in scientific community while use “2009 H1N1 influenza viruses” for daily life.

Key words: H1N1, nomination