Are orcas 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

Yes, orcas and killer whales are the exact same animal. The species Orcinus orca goes by two common names: “orca” (from the scientific name) and “killer whale” (a historical name from Spanish sailors). There is no biological difference between them — it’s purely a matter of which name you prefer to use. Many scientists and conservationists now prefer “orca” because “killer whale” creates misleading associations with danger to humans.

Same Animal, Two Names

Characteristic	Details
Scientific name	Orcinus orca
Common name #1	Orca
Common name #2	Killer whale
Family	Delphinidae (dolphins)
Are they different species?	No — identical
Is one more correct?	Both are acceptable

Origins of the Two Names

”Orca” — From Science

Aspect	Details
Origin	Scientific name Orcinus orca
Meaning	”Of the kingdom of the dead” (Roman mythology)
Named by	Carl Linnaeus (1758)
Root word	Orcus — Roman god of the underworld
Usage trend	Increasingly preferred

”Killer Whale” — From History

Aspect	Details
Original term	”Asesina de ballenas” (Spanish)
Original meaning	”Whale killer” — they hunt whales
What happened	Word order reversed in translation
Result	”Whale killer” became “killer whale”
Usage trend	Still common, but declining

Learn the full story at why are orcas called killer whales.

Quick Species Profile

Feature	Measurement
Maximum length	32 feet (10 m) — males
Maximum weight	6 tons (5,400 kg)
Lifespan	50-90 years
Speed	Up to 34 mph (55 km/h)
Teeth	40-56, up to 4 inches long
Distribution	All oceans worldwide
Social structure	Matriarchal pods

Are Orcas Whales or Dolphins?

Classification	Details
Family	Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins)
Suborder	Odontoceti (toothed whales)
Order	Cetacea (whales, dolphins, porpoises)
Verdict	Technically dolphins, but all dolphins are toothed whales

The answer: Orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family, but since dolphins are a type of toothed whale, calling an orca a “whale” is also technically correct. The distinction is primarily taxonomic.

Why “Orca” Is Becoming Preferred

Reason	Explanation
Accuracy	”Killer whale” implies danger to humans (untrue)
Conservation	Easier to build public support for “orcas” than “killers”
Scientific	Uses proper genus name
Indigenous alignment	Many cultures use similar terms
Education	Avoids misconceptions

Name Impact on Perception

Finding	Implication
People rate “killer whales” as more dangerous	Name alone affects fear level
”Orca” conservation gets more support	Terminology influences policy
Children fear “killer whales” more	Name shapes early impressions
Scientists increasingly use “orca”	Professional preference shifting

Names in Different Languages

Language	Name	Translation
English	Orca / Killer whale	Demon / Whale killer
Spanish	Orca / Ballena asesina	Orca / Assassin whale
German	Schwertwal	Sword whale
Norwegian	Spekkhogger	Blubber chopper
Japanese	シャチ (Shachi)	Demon fish
French	Orque / Épaulard	Orca / Shoulder blade
Russian	Косатка (Kosatka)	Scythe
Portuguese	Orca	Orca

Orca/Killer Whale Population Types

Type	Location	Primary Diet
Resident orcas	Pacific Northwest	Fish (salmon)
Transient/Bigg’s orcas	Pacific Northwest	Marine mammals
Offshore orcas	Open Pacific	Sharks, fish
Antarctic Type A	Antarctica	Minke whales
Antarctic Type B	Antarctica	Seals
Antarctic Type C	Antarctica	Fish

All of these are the same species (Orcinus orca), whether you call them orcas or killer whales.

Learn more about what killer whales eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which name should I use — orca or killer whale?

Both are correct. Use whichever you prefer. However, if you want to be more precise or avoid the misleading “killer” association, “orca” is increasingly the preferred choice among scientists, educators, and conservation organizations.

Are there any differences between orcas and killer whales?

No biological differences whatsoever. They are the same species with two names. Some people mistakenly believe they’re different animals — perhaps confusing the question with whether orcas are whales or dolphins — but “orca” and “killer whale” refer to identical animals.

Why do some people insist on one name over the other?

Tradition vs. accuracy. “Killer whale” has been used for centuries and remains more widely recognized by the general public. However, “orca” is preferred by those who want to move away from the misleading “killer” label, which can create unnecessary fear and may harm conservation efforts.

Do orcas actually kill whales?

Some populations do. Bigg’s Transient orcas and Antarctic Type A orcas specialize in hunting other whales, particularly gray whale calves and minke whales. This is the behavior that originally earned them the name “whale killers.” However, most orca populations never hunt other whales — they eat fish, seals, or sharks instead.

Is it wrong to say “killer whale”?

Not wrong, just increasingly avoided. “Killer whale” is a legitimate common name with historical usage. However, many scientists and educators prefer “orca” because it doesn’t perpetuate the misconception that these animals are dangerous to humans. Wild orcas have never killed a human.

The Taxonomic Position

Level	Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Cetacea
Suborder	Odontoceti (toothed whales)
Family	Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins)
Genus	Orcinus
Species	O. orca

Fun Fact

The scientific name Orcinus orca essentially means “demon from the realm of the dead” — arguably an even more dramatic name than “killer whale”! The genus name comes from Orcus, the Roman god of the underworld and punisher of broken oaths. Despite this fearsome etymology, wild orcas have never killed a human, proving that names don’t always reflect reality!

Related Questions

• Why are Orcas Called Killer Whales?
• Why are Killer Whales Called Killer Whales?
• Are Killer Whales Dolphins?
• What Do Killer Whales Eat?