Equus burchelli is a species of zebra that is native to eastern and southern Africa. There are several synonyms for this species, including the common zebra, plains zebra, and Burchell's zebra. These names were given to the species based on their physical appearance, habitat, and the name of the naturalist who first described them, William John Burchell. The common zebra is a popular name for this species due to their widespread distribution and recognizable striped pattern. The plains zebra name refers to their habitat preference while the Burchell's zebra name is a tribute to the naturalist who discovered and described them.