The mourning dove is sometimes called the American mourning dove, because it may be confused with the distantly related African mourning dove ("Streptopelia decipiens"). It also used to be known as the Carolina turtledove or Carolina pigeon. The species' scientific name was given in 1838 by French zoologist Charles L. Bonaparte, honoring his wife, Princess Zénaide. The "mourning" part of its name comes from its call.