An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Giraffe. An extended but inconspicuous
→ constellation near the north celestial pole. Approximate position: R.A. 5 h, Dec. 70°; abbreviation Cam, genitive form Camelopardalis.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from Medieval L. camlopardus, from L. camelopardalis, from Gk. kamelopardalis, from kamelos “camel” + pardalis, pard “leopard” (because the giraffe has a head like a camel’s and the spots of a leopard), from L. pardus, from Gk. pardos “male panther,” from the same source (probably Iranian) as Skt. prdaku- “leopard, tiger, snake,” and Pers. palang “panther.”

Etymology (PE): Zarrâfé “giraffe,” from Ar. zarafa, probably from an African language. This term is at the origin of
this animal’s name in European languages, via
It. giraffa. The Pers. name of the animal is: šotor-gâv-palang, from Mid.Pers., composed of šotor “camel” + gâv “ox, bull, cow,” → Taurus, + palang “panther.”