Decoding Cannabis Cultivars – What Goes Into a Name?

Ever see a new strain in your local dispensary and think to yourself, “Who names these things anyway?” I know I have! In this post, we’re going to explore how cannabis cultivars (also called strains) get their names. Hint: strain names are as unique and diverse as our own names!

How Are Cannabis Strains Named?

There are dozens of different ways that cannabis cultivars are named, but the practice of naming strains has only been around since the 1960s. Before we started breeding different strains for specific traits, we had what is now known as landrace strains, which are the original cannabis cultivars that have grown organically around the globe for thousands of years.

Examples of landrace strains are Acapulco Gold, Durban Poison, and Afghan Kush. These strains originated in the places they were named after and later transplanted around the globe. From there, curious growers – we call them breeders now – would cross the genetics of these plants to create many of the popular strains worldwide today.

Names of Heritage

Like the original landrace strains, many are named after their places of origin or their genetic lineage. For example, the strain Berry White was named after both parent strains, Blueberry and White Widow. Another popular example is Forbidden Runtz, which is named so specifically that its parent strains (Forbidden Fruit x Runtz) may be obvious to regular consumers.

Appearance Based Names

Others, like White Widow, Granddaddy Purple, and White Rhino get their names from their appearance. In the case of White Widow it was the frosty thick layer of white crystal trichomes that gives the strain it’s name. Granddaddy Purple is clearly named after the deep shades of purple, while White Rhino is known for its powdery coating of kief.

Flavor and Terpene-Inspired Names

Some strains are named after their appearance, while others are named for the notable flavor and aroma profiles they offer. For example, Sour Diesel is known for having a quite literally diesel or fuel-like scent, while strains like banana kush and Strawberry Cough are named after their fruity accents and/or undertones.

Named After Cognitive Effects

Some cannabis cultivars are named after the effects that you can expect after consumption. For example, Blue Dream, Purple Haze, and Trainwreck are all known for a hazy relaxation, while GG (Gorilla Glue) cultivars are named for their tendency to cause couchlock.

Tributes and Celebrity Names

These are strains that you can’t miss when there are cultivars named Willie Nelson, Charlie Sheen, Bob Saget, or Khalifa Kush. While most of the pop culture names you’ll see are either done either for marketing or satirical purposes, some strains are named in tribute to an individual like Jack Herer, Charlotte’s Web, and Agent Orange.

Out-There Nonsensical Names

Speaking of marketability, some names are literally just that – funny, eye-catching, controversial, or, in some other form, very easily marketable. These include out-there names like Alaskan Thunderfuck, Cat Piss, Unicorn Poop, and my personal favorite “funny” strain name right now: Schnazzleberry.

Who Names New Cannabis Strains?

In most cases, the breeder who created the strain or them, along with the team that helped them nurture the plants, are the ones who name new strains.

Some take the clear-cut approach of using parent strains or naming a strain after a specific pop culture icon or reference. Others have more sentimental names, like Charlotte’s Web, for example. Meanwhile, others prefer to gather as a group and consume the unnamed cultivar while brainstorming a fitting name.

It seems there’s no clear cut science to choosing the name of a new cannabis cultivar – especially when a name is so very essential. These days there’s careful copyright and trademark laws to be wary of, while still trying to come up with something creative, memorable, and most of all unique.

While some consumers may not realize it, the name of a strain may subconsciously influence your decision just as much as seeing the high THC or terpene content you crave.

Cultivar VS Strain: Is there a difference?

If you’re unfamiliar with the term cultivar, you’ll be relieved to know it’s just another term to refer to different strains of the cannabis plant. These cultivars – or strains as most of us know them – fall into one of three categories or phenotypes – indica, sativa, or hybrid.

So, is there a difference between cultivars and strains? Not at all. The interchangeable terminology you see used may vary from one breeder, dispensary, or consumer to the next but the word choice is purely up to the speaker or writer which they use.

Some cultivars of different names will have very similar cannabinoid and terpene profiles that create nearly identical effects. Similarly, two cultivars can have the same name but produce widely different potency, appearance, or effects when grown by two different cultivators.

In the end, your best bet in finding a strain that suits your needs is always going to be to look at the cannabinoid and terpene profiles provided by the dispensary you’re shopping at, rather than relying on a familiar name alone.