Etymology and definition

Further information: Names for the human species and Human taxonomy
All modern humans are classified into the species Homo sapiens, coined by
Carl Linnaeus in his 18th-century work Systema Naturae.[2] The generic name
"Homo" is a learned 18th-century derivation from Latin homō, which refers to
humans of either sex.[3] The name "Homo sapiens" means 'wise man' or
'knowledgeable man'.[4] In common usage, the word human generally just
refers to Homo sapiens, the only extant species.[5] There is disagreement if
extinct members of the genus, namely Neanderthals, should be included as
subspecies of H. sapiens or not.[6]

Human is a Middle English loanword from Old French humain, ultimately from
Latin hūmānus, the adjectival form of homō ('man' — in the sense of
humankind).[7] The native English term man can refer to the species generally
(a synonym for humanity) as well as to human males. It may also refer to
individuals of either sex, though this latter form is less common in
contemporary English.[8]

The word person is often used interchangeably with human, but philosophical
debate exists as to whether personhood applies to all humans or all sentient
beings, and further if one can lose personhood (such as by going into a
persistent vegetative state).[9]

Evolution