The specific name, galeritus, which is Latin, means "wearing a hood", referring to the head crest.

[3] Earlier reports of its occurrence in Central America are mistaken and actually refer to young of the closely related common basilisk.

On the back it has a small crest similar to that of young individuals of the common basilisk.

The western basilisk has been introduced to Gorgona Island, Colombia.

This species is not native to the island, and thus, is endangering native species that reside on the island, such as the endemic blue anole (Anolis gorgonae).