The female polar bear is also known as a sow. Additionally, she is sometimes referred to as a she-bear, which is a more archaic term. In some Indigenous languages, the female polar bear is referred to with names that reflect her importance and power, as she is a revered figure in many cultures. The Inuit word for female polar bear is nanuq or nanook, while the Yupik word is malik. In some cases, the female polar bear may simply be referred to as a polar bear, as her gender can often be inferred by the context. Regardless of what she is called, the female polar bear remains one of the most iconic symbols of the Arctic.