In 'Arrival', what is the name of the alien species?

In “Arrival,” the alien species is known as the heptapods.

The name comes from their distinctive anatomy: each alien has seven limb-like appendages. Linguist Louise Banks and physicist Ian Donnelly encounter the creatures inside their spacecraft and begin studying both their spoken communication and circular written language.

The two heptapods encountered by the American team are nicknamed Abbott and Costello. Their written language consists of complex circular symbols, or logograms, rather than a linear alphabet. Learning the language becomes central to the film because it changes how Louise understands time, communication, and the visitors’ purpose.

Heptapod is the humans’ descriptive name, not necessarily the aliens’ own biological term for their species. The film also explores how translation can create dangerous misunderstandings: the word interpreted as “weapon” may instead mean “tool” or “means.” Triffids, Predators, and Xenomorphs are unrelated fictional creatures from other science-fiction works.