I-"Smiledon" ayilona igama elaziwayo noma elivame ukusetshenziswa ngolimi lwesiNgisi. Kodwa-ke, elithi "Smilodon" igama elaziwayo futhi libhekisela ohlotsheni lwamakati anamazinyo e-saber angasekho ayephila ngesikhathi se-Pleistocene. I-Smilodon isuselwa egameni lesiGreki elithi "smilos" elisho "ummese" nelithi "odon" elisho "izinyo", elibhekisela emazinyweni amade, agobile ayisici salolu hlobo.