# Where does the phrase COVID-19 come from? April 03, 2020 - [ Blog ](/news-categories/blog) #### I posted this question on Facebook. Here are answers I received. To me this illustrates why Facebook is a very useful resource. Posting people's responses by their initials. 8 Comments: MO: Yes, WHO named it. [https://www.goodrx.com/.../what-does-covid-19-mean-who.../](https://www.goodrx.com/blog/what-does-covid-19-mean-who-named-it/?fbclid=IwAR0ax2u0GjXW99j4JdGkVoC6udZizJQxbQ8Kd-kRDCiI1gsY11e7OAE0Nng) MO: The WHO press release announcing the name makes clear that a lot of thought went into choosing the name, in particular, they did want to stigmatize any geographic place or animal. [https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-2019-ncov-on-11-february-2020?fbclid=IwAR2tvpnYHX9Oih\_0DMxxU2tIQZHaaPk8gMkud4hcl2VGZpcUjDOdh6DoQbY](https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-2019-ncov-on-11-february-2020?fbclid=IwAR2tvpnYHX9Oih_0DMxxU2tIQZHaaPk8gMkud4hcl2VGZpcUjDOdh6DoQbY) SLG: bc a few years ago WHO published guidelines for naming conventions specifically avoiding connection to geographic areas. I think it was 2017 LPG: Yes. Stay safe! EM: “In COVID-19, 'CO' stands for 'corona,' 'VI' for 'virus,' and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses.” LL: Corona Virus Disease-19 (2019). Steve Kelman: This is why I love Facebook. Thanks to all who responded to this question. Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)