[1][2] The epithet, orcutti, honors American naturalist Charles Russell Orcutt (1864–1929), who collected the type specimen in San Diego County, California.

[1][2] The granite spiny lizard is 7.6–10.8 cm (3.0–4.3 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL).

[5] Its dorsal scales are strongly keeled and pointed on its body and tail.

Additionally, the male has deep-blue ventral patches on its chest and throat and femoral pores.

The granite spiny lizard is a colorful species that can be observed perched atop boulders from considerable distance.