Singapore Means "Lion City" (But Has No Lions)

Singapore's name translates to "Lion City" from the Sanskrit words simha (lion) and pura (city or fortress). The English name "Singapore" is an anglicization of the native Malay name Singapura, which carries this majestic meaning.

But here's the twist: lions have never been native to Singapore or anywhere in Southeast Asia.

The Legend of the Lion Sighting

According to the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), a 13th-century Sumatran prince named Sang Nila Utama spotted a strange creature while exploring the island then known as Temasek. Believing it to be a lion—an auspicious symbol of power and protection in Hindu-Buddhist culture—he took it as a divine omen and renamed the settlement Singapura.

The reality? Scholars believe the prince most likely encountered a Malayan tiger, which roamed Singapore's dense forests during the 13th and 14th centuries. Tigers were abundant in the region before urbanization drove them to extinction locally.

Why "Lion" Despite the Mistake?

The name stuck for good reason:

• Lions symbolized royalty and strength across ancient Asian kingdoms
• The Sanskrit name elevated the settlement's prestige
• Variations of "Simhapura" were already used for cities throughout the region
• The legend provided a compelling foundation myth for the emerging kingdom

Today, the lion remains Singapore's national symbol. The iconic Merlion—a mythical creature with a lion's head and a fish's tail—celebrates both the "Lion City" legend and the island's maritime heritage (the fish tail represents Temasek, meaning "sea town").

So while Singapore's name promises lions, its forests once held tigers. The mistaken identity became one of history's most enduring branding successes—turning a case of wildlife misidentification into a symbol recognized worldwide.