Organic compounds are called compounds because they are made up of two or more different elements chemically bonded together. This is the fundamental definition of a compound in chemistry.

Here's why this applies to organic compounds specifically:

* Carbon backbone: Organic compounds are fundamentally defined by their carbon backbone. Carbon has the unique ability to form long chains and complex structures by bonding with itself and other elements, like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.

* Variety of bonding: The way these elements bond to carbon creates a vast array of different structures and functional groups, leading to the enormous diversity of organic compounds.

* Distinct properties: The specific arrangement of atoms within organic molecules gives them distinct physical and chemical properties, often quite different from the individual elements they are composed of.

In short: Organic compounds are "compounds" because they are molecules formed by the chemical combination of multiple elements, specifically those containing carbon, forming complex and diverse structures with unique properties.