Arachis hypogaea is the scientific name for peanuts. They are also called goobers, groundnuts, ground peas, earth nut, pinder, pinda, monkey nut, and Manilla nut. They belong to the legume family - which also contains peas and beans. Peanuts are a source of protein, as are meats. Peanuts grow underground, not on bushes or on trees.