Tarzan

Tarzan is a fictional name created by American author Edgar Rice Burroughs for the main character in his novel Tarzan of the Apes, first published in magazine form in 1912. In the novel, Tarzan is the ape name given to the human baby John Clayton, Viscount Greystoke, who is adopted by the Mangani great apes after his aristocratic parents die marooned on the coast of West Africa. The name is said to mean "white skin" in the fictional Mangani language.

Etymology

Burroughs coined the name from the invented Mangani words tar (meaning "white") and zan (meaning "skin"). This reflects the young protagonist's appearance: he is notably paler than the apes that raise him. The Mangani are portrayed as a species of great apes, somewhat larger and more intelligent than actual gorillas or chimpanzees; Burroughs developed their language with a small vocabulary, of which Tarzan's name remains the most famous element.

Notable Bearer in Fiction

The name Tarzan is forever tied to the character of John Clayton, Viscount Greystoke. In the original novels, Tarzan grows up in the jungle, becoming an expert hunter and an unparalleled all-around adventurer. He is agile, strong, and resourceful, and eventually learns English and discovers his parental lineage. Nevertheless, he ultimately rejects civilized life to return to his natural environment. The character has appeared in countless adaptations, including films, television series, comic strips, and video games, becoming one of the most recognized names in popular culture worldwide.

Cultural Significance

Because of the extraordinary popularity of the Tarzan stories, the name itself entered the broader English lexicon as a term for a strong, agile, and often jungle-oriented person, especially in phrases like "Tarzan yell" or being called "a regular Tarzan." The name has been used in trademarks, dog names, and occasionally human names, though it remains far from common as an actual given name. Durable thematic elements—the feral child, the noble savage, and the clash between civilization and nature—are all encapsulated in the name Tarzan.

• Meaning: "white skin" (fictional Mangani)
• Origin: Coined by Edgar Rice Burroughs for literature
• Type: Fictional character forename
• Usage Regions: International (through media/influence)