Wolframite is not scientifically classified as an individual mineral species by the IMA. However, it is universally recognized as a mineral series, with the minerals Huebnerite and Ferberite being its end members. Huebnerite is the manganese-rich end member, and Ferberite is the iron-rich end member. The term Wolframite can be used generally to describe unspecified members of this group, or to describe the intermediary member of this series.
Wolframite is named for its tungsten content, since wolfram means tungsten in German.