Whoever named strawberries was either mistaken or not too concerned with scientific accuracy, because they are not berries. They may have been named after their mulching process, which usually involves straw, or because they appeared to be "strewn berries" back in the day, but all we know for certain is that they’re actually accessory fruits.

Strawberries are part of the Rosaceae plant family, so they are close relatives to raspberries, cherries, and apples, but unlike their berry cousins, they fall under the Fragaria genus. Scientifically, strawberries are considered accessory fruits, as their flesh comes from the flower of their plant instead of a single ovary.

Apples, watermelon, and pineapple are all accessory fruits, so they’re closer to strawberries than actual berries are. To be classified as a berry, a fruit must be derived from one ovary's flower and contain two or more seeds, and while strawberries don’t meet this criteria, we doubt anyone will point out the plant’s ovary count and correct you.