Why is the varicella-zoster virus referred to as a herpes virus?

See Below: It can be a bit confusing. The technical name for 'shingles' is herpes zoster. Herpes zoster is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. To further complicate matters, the virus is also called human herpes virus type 3.

VZV: Varicella-zoster virus (chicken pox/shingles virus) is within the broad family of herpes virus. It is not herpes 1 (cold sores) or herpes 2 (genital herpes), but another virus within the same large family. All 3 can be treated with antivirals--acyclovir, famvir, valtrex (valacyclovir).

Smith or Jones ???: Viruses have been classified over the years in many ways. Sometimes from where found, parvo from dogs, or shape=rotovirus looks like a tennis ball with spikes coming out. A better way to group them is by family, often because they act in similar ways. The herpesvirus family tend to persist in humans for life. They include subtypes like HPV, herpes simplex, varicella zoster & many more.