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Home › Baby Names Directory › Jaguar

Jaguar

♂ Boy

Pronounced JAG-wahr /ˈdʒæɡ.wɑːr/High

Meaning: Jaguar is the English word for the great spotted cat of the Americas, borrowed through Portuguese from Tupi-Guarani yaguara, a word for a large predator. As a given name it is a modern word name, with a nod to the British car marque as well, which we note.Medium

In 30 seconds: Jaguar names the great cat of the Americas (said 'JAG-wahr') — a bold word name, with a nod to the car, which we note.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Tupi-Guarani
MeaningJaguar is the English word for the great spotted cat of the Americas, borrowed through Portuguese from Tupi-Guarani yaguara, a word for a large predator. As a given name it is a modern word name, with a nod to the British car marque as well, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#13014 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1995
Total births (all-time)≈ 68

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199519922024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jaguar is a borrowed word before it is a name: Tupi-Guarani yaguara, taken into Portuguese and then English, for the powerful spotted cat of the Americas, revered by Maya and Aztec peoples. As a given name it is modern and bold, and it carries an unavoidable echo of the car marque, which we note honestly (said 'JAG-wahr').

In the U.S. it is very rare for boys. Rare, fierce, and unmistakable.

Did you know? Jaguar comes to English through Portuguese from the Tupi-Guarani word yaguara, for a big predator. The cat was sacred in Maya and Aztec cultures — and later lent its name to a British car (said 'JAG-wahr').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Jaguar — English word name; Tupi-Guarani yaguara; car marque noted

Variations

JaggerJaguarrYaguar

Nicknames

JagJags

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jaguar…

Jagger— a like Jag- sounding name
Phoenix— a like bold creature word name
Wolf— another animal word name
Leo— a like big-cat name in spirit

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jaguar mean?

Jaguar is the English word for the big spotted cat of the Americas, from Tupi-Guarani yaguara.

How do you pronounce Jaguar?

It's said JAG-wahr /ˈdʒæɡ.wɑːr/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jaguar a boy or girl name?

Here Jaguar is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Jaguar?

Jaguar is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

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