vernacular name

Noun

 * 1)  A name other than a taxonomic name, in a vernacular language, used to refer to an organism, often corresponding to a taxonomic name, but often not.
 * 2)  A name that does not unambiguously define a substance.

Usage notes

 * In biology, vernacular names are often formalized to correspond to taxonomic names. A common name is often shared by organisms that are not taxonomically closely related.