* Follow pronunciation: The best approach is to divide the name according to how you would naturally pronounce it. Where you naturally pause slightly when saying the name is a good indication of a syllable break.
* Consider etymology (origin of the word): Understanding the root words can help. Latin and Greek words often have syllable breaks that reflect their component parts.
* Vowel sounds: Syllables generally have one vowel sound. Consonant sounds often group together at the beginning or end of a syllable, but sometimes they're split.
Example: *Homo sapiens*
A common and likely correct syllabification is: Ho-mo sa-pi-ens
* Homo: One syllable; the 'o' is the vowel sound.
* sapiens: Three syllables; 'sa-', '-pi-', '-ens' each contain a vowel sound.
Another Example: *Tyrannosaurus rex*
A plausible syllabification: Ty-ran-no-sau-rus rex
* Tyrannosaurus: Five syllables, following the natural pronunciation and breaking down the components of the name.
* rex: One syllable.
Important Note: Syllabification is ultimately for aiding pronunciation and understanding. There's often some flexibility in how it's done, particularly with longer or more complex names. Consistency within a single text or presentation is more important than adhering to an absolute rule. If you're unsure, consult a dictionary that provides pronunciation guides, or listen to how experts pronounce the name.