Where does the great white shark get its name from?

The great white shark gets its name from its color.

* Great: This refers to its size and power, as it is the largest predatory fish in the world.

* White: This refers to its underside, which is usually a bright white color. This provides camouflage when viewed from below, allowing the shark to ambush prey.

So, "great white" is a descriptive name that refers to both its impressive size and its distinctive white underside.