Carcharhinus leucas is the scientific name for the bull shark. Because the majority of sharks in this family, including the tiger shark, have extremely pointed nostrils, the name "Carcharhinus" means "sharp-nosed." This is not true with bull sharks, which have short, rounded, blunt snouts. The Greek word "Leucos," which means "white," is the root of the English term "Leucas," which refers to the bull shark's underbelly.