Slytherin, Gemini, Omicron-maxi: Experts push to give new Covid variants a name

Lack of snappy names for BA. 4 and BA. 5 is stopping people talking about the dangerous new Covid variants, experts say. What do you think they should be called?

Naming the “pesky” new variants that are driving Covid’s third wave around the globe could combat the community’s blase attitude to the virus, experts say.

Omicron subvariants — known as BA. 4 and BA. 5 — are the most infectious and vaccine-evasive strains of the virus yet.

But unlike the names Omicron or Delta, which rapidly spread through public discourse and heightened awareness around their risks, BA. 4 and BA. 5 have no official name in Australia.

US experts have dubbed the new strains “Deltacron” because new studies showed the variants combined the transmissibility of Omicron with the lung impact of Delta.

The term was previously used for earlier strains, but experts said the newer variations were more akin to a hybrid.

Infectious Diseases expert Professor Paul Griffin said a name could help people “visualise” the virus better.

“A name would allow people to visualise something, conceptualise it better,” he said.

BA-D, Maxi-Omicron and Omicron-Plus are some of the suggested common names for BA. 4 and BA.5. Picture: Supplied

Epidemiologist Adrian Esterman proposed his own zodiac sign, Gemini, as a potential nickname for the “twin” strains.

“They were originally named (according to) where they were found, but then they decided it wasn’t fair to those countries … they were stigmatising countries. Then they turned to the Greek letters, and we still have a few to go,” he said.

“The WHO has thought about turning to constellations when they ran out of Greek letters.

“Geminis are twins and BA. 4 and 5 are twins. They have identical spike mutations so Gemini would be perfect.”

Prof Esterman said the subvariant’s “parent” BA. 2 was originally called the “stealth variant” because of its transmissibility, and that could be another clue for the nickname.

Nurse Alison Clancy gives Professor Paul Griffin his Covid vaccine. Picture: Annette Dew

Like BA. 4 and BA. 5, another Omicron subvariant, known professionally as BA. 2.75 has been nicknamed “Centaurus”, after it was detected in India.

Infectious diseases paediatrician Professor Robert Booy said BA. 5 attacked the lungs, and should be given its own moniker so people took it seriously.

“Given that BA5 is even more transmissible and in some people can be more severe, and thirdly can affect the lungs more than the throat, it is worth paying attention to the name,” he said.

“It attacks respiratory cells. Whether you call it “the scary one” or come up with a new name, the WHO should be on the job”.

Prof Booy said possible names could include “Omicron-plus” “enhanced Omicron” or “maxi-Omicron”, and conceded “Slytherin-omicron might work”.

Advertising expert Dee Madigan said BA. 5 could simply be called the BA-D variant.

“I reckon the fact that people are getting reinfected, I had a friend who was reinfected in five weeks, lived experience is the most persuasive thing that we have.

“We have tuned out a little bit to government messaging on Covid, but when we hear it from our friends we’re more likely to pay attention.

“We’re 80 per cent more likely to buy something at a friend’s recommendation than at an ad’s.

“Anecdotal evidence is what will motivate people the most to go and get boosted.”

“Young people don‘t stop smoking because of death, it doesn’t scare young people like it scares old people.”

NSW Chief Health Office Dr Kerry Chant has previously described BA. 4 and BA. 5 as “pesky” and ”sneaky”, but stopped short of coining a nickname.