Camelopard, sometimes spelled cameleopard, is the more traditional English expression for a giraffe. It comes from Greek kamēlopárdalis, derived from kámēlos “camel” and párdalis “leopard”, and was common until the late 19th century.
Why is it called giraffe?
The original scientific name for giraffe was Giraffa camelopardalis. This name originated from the thought that a giraffe's body looked like a camel's body and its coloration was similar to that of a leopard.
When was the word giraffe invented?
The modern form of the English word is attested by c. 1600 and is via French girafe (13c.). Replaced earlier camelopard (from Latin camelopardalis), which was the basis form the name of the "giraffe" constellation Camelopardalis, among those added to the map 1590s by Flemish cartographer Petrus Plancius.
