The widely used polychaete names DorvilleaParfitt, 1866, and consequently DorvilleidaeChamberlin, 1919 (Annelida, Errantia) are threatened by a senior homonym DorvilleaLeach, 1852 (Mollusca, Bivalvia). The latter is a junior synonym of AbraLamarck, 1818 and it has not been used as a valid name since 1899, while the former has been used as a valid name in over 25 publications by more than 10 authors in the last 50 years. Therefore, under Article 23.9.2 of the Code, DorvilleaParfitt, 1866 must be regarded as a nomen protectum and DorvilleaLeach, 1852 must be regarded as nomen oblitum. This act will also protect DorvilleidaeChamberlin, 1919, which is in prevailing usage for this family of marine annelids.