The species was first discovered in 1995 on an expedition to the Galápagos Islands led by John McCosker from the California Academy of Sciences.

[3][4] Douglas Long was the first to notice the new shark species while he was processing the fish samples that were collected during the expedition.

[3] Though not yet formally described, the name Galápagos catshark was used in non-scientific shark literature for several years prior to the published description.

[7][8][9][10] The scientific name honors underwater photographer and cinematographer Al Giddings,[2][4] and the common name is in reference to the spotted pattern characteristic of the species, as well as its resemblance to the mythical jaguar shark in the Wes Anderson movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

[2] According to John McCosker, "since this catshark's range is restricted to the Galápagos, its population is likely limited in size, making it more susceptible than more widely distributed species.