Porifera is a phylum of marine animals commonly known as sponges. The word Porifera reflects the body structure of these animals which is characterized by numerous pores. There are several synonyms that can be used for Porifera such as spongiaria, spongida, calcispongiae, and horny sponges. These synonyms are coined based on different aspects of the sponge anatomy such as the presence of spicules or calcareous skeletons. Sponges play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as they provide a home for many marine animals and are also a source of various compounds that have medicinal properties. Using synonyms for scientific terms like Porifera helps in understanding their complexity and diversity.