The word 'giraffe' originally came from Arabic as 'zarāfa'

'Giraffe' is a word borrowed from Arabic 'zarāfa'. The word entered the English language some time around 1600.

giraffe [noun] [circa 1600]

• a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a ver...
• camelopardalis

See 'giraffe' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Arabic.

Etymology: Italian 'giraffa' from Arabic 'zirāfa'

See more loan words from 1600s.