Pteridium aquilinum is commonly known as the invasive fern Bracken, a perennial plant with long, triangular-shaped fronds. When looking for synonyms for the plant's scientific name, common terms include Eagle Fern, Bracken Fern, Western Brackenfern, and Brake Fern. Other related terms include Fiddlehead Fern, as the plant's young unfurled fronds can resemble the headstock of a fiddle. The word Pteridium also refers to a genus of ferns, of which Bracken is a part of. Aquilinum is derived from "aquiline," meaning eagle-like, in reference to the plant's frond shape. Overall, Pteridium aquilinum has a variety of commonly used names and related terms.