A different approach to the naming of trace fossils is advocated. The primary ichnotaxobase should be the form of the burrow actually occupied, and the secondary ichnotaxobase should be the morphology of the structure that reflects the manner in which this burrow has been displaced and/or extended. Only by attempting to name trace fossils in this way will it be possible to eliminate features due to sedimentological factors that took place on termination of the animal’s activities, including passive infill and diagenesis. To discriminate between different preservational states the citation should include both the taxonomic and preservational aspects.