Sometimes inspiration strikes in unlikely places, and researchers turn to pop culture, fiction and the political arena to name newly discovered species.

Cirolana mercuryi
When a new species of isopod was discovered off Bawe Island, Tanzania, it was only natural to name it after Freddie Mercury, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer from Zanzibar.

Mandelia mirocornata
This nudibranch has been seen only off the South African coast and is believed to be an endemic species. So it’s only fitting that it’s named after the former South African president and national hero, Nelson Mandela.

Harryplax severus
The late Harry Conley was not around to learn that a critter he found in Guam would be determined a new genus and species 20 years later. But scientists showed him some love, naming the tiny — just 0.3-by-0.2 inches — crab Harryplax severus as an ode to Conley, the fictional wizard Harry Potter, and Potter’s enigmatic professor Severus Snape.

Yoda purpurata
This 5- to 7-inch acorn worm might seem like it belongs in a galaxy far, far away, but it was actually discovered in the North Atlantic. The inspiration? Luke Skywalker’s sage teacher, Yoda. A good name, this is.

Albunea groeningi
Simpsons creator Matt Groening appears to be the inspiration in the name for this mole crab, of which scientists know little about. But the crustacean’s name could also be a reference to the lovable, yet seemingly jinxed character Hans Moleman.

Synalpheus pinkfloydi
Some things just make sense. This species of snapping shrimp — found in the eastern Pacific — not only has a bright pink claw, but it can also put on an audio onslaught that could rival the legendary rock band Pink Floyd. When this shrimp rapidly snaps its claw shut, it can generate up to 210 decibels, stunning and sometimes killing nearby fish as a means of predation.

More Not-So-Common Names:

• Livyatan melvillei
Extinct genus of physeteroid whale, named after Herman Melville, the American novelist who wrote Moby-Dick in 1851, by researchers who were all fans of the novel.

• Bishopina mozarti
Indo-Pacific crustacean whose name commemorates the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who died at the age of 35 in 1791.

• Cherax snowden
Crayfish from West Papua named after the controversial former CIA employee and contractor to the U.S. government Edward Snowden. Snowden has been variously called a hero, a whistleblower, a dissident, a traitor and a patriot; scientists naming this crayfish were honoring him for his "contributions to freedom of speech."

• Ctenocheloides attenboroughi
Ghost shrimp collected in Madagascar and named after the British national treasure, broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough. At least 15 species and genera, both living and extinct, have been named in Attenborough's honor.

• Echiniscus madonnae
Tardigrade named after the American singer and songwriter Madonna.

• Etheostoma clinton
Freshwater fish in Arkansas named after former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

• Etheostoma gore
Freshwater fish in the Cumberland River named after former U.S. Vice President and conservationist Al Gore.

• Etheostoma jimmycarter
Freshwater fish found in the Green River named after former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

• Etheostoma obama
Species of darter fish endemic to Tennessee and named after Barack Obama. Nine different species — from extinct lizards to trapdoor spiders — honor the 44th U.S. president, which is more than any of his predecessors. (Theodore Roosevelt comes in as a close second with seven.)

• Etheostoma teddyroosevelt
The highland darter named after Theodore Roosevelt. The 26th President of the United States was an ardent conservationist, who contributed immensely to the protection of America's natural resources, extending federal protection to land and wildlife.

• Etmopterus benchleyi
The ninja lantern shark named after the late Peter Benchley, who wrote Jaws — and later regretted the negative impact it had on people's perception of sharks.

• Gnathia marleyi
A parasitic crustacean found in the Caribbean and named after the late Jamaican singer and songwriter Bob Marley.

• Leucothoe eltoni
A crustacean named after the English pianist, singer and composer Sir Elton John.

• Mesoparapylocheles michaeljacksoni
Extinct hermit crab named after the late singer and songwriter Michael Jackson.