What does cavalla mean?
The cavalla is a powerful marine fish of the jack family, Carangidae, known to most ichthyologists and anglers as the crevalle jack (Caranx hippos). It roams warm coastal waters of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic, from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to West Africa, often forming fast-moving schools that feed on smaller fish near jetties, reefs, and channels. Prized by sport fishermen for its aggressive strikes and tenacious fight, it is also taken commercially and marketed as a firm, edible fish. The name entered English in the seventeenth century through Spanish or Portuguese, ultimately deriving from Latin caballus, meaning 'horse', which also gave English such words as cavalier and chivalry. In everyday use the word appears mainly in fishing and culinary contexts along the Gulf Coast and Caribbean.
nounA food and game fish of the jack family (Carangidae), Caranx hippos, found in warm Atlantic waters and known as the crevalle jack.
- A carangid food and game fish, Caranx hippos, common in warm Atlantic waters; the crevalle jack.
"The anglers spent the morning chasing cavalla along the edge of the shipping channel."
"Schools of cavalla crashed through the baitfish just off the jetty."
"The market had fresh cavalla, firm-fleshed and excellent for grilling."
Standard anglicized plural; the unchanged form 'cavalla' also occurs informally among fishermen.
"The tournament weighed in several large cavallas over the weekend."
Despite its name suggesting a little horse — it traces back to Latin caballus, 'horse' — the cavalla is a hard-fighting fish that anglers prize for the strength of its run.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cavalla
Cavalla entered English in the early seventeenth century, borrowed via Spanish caballa or Portuguese cavala, names applied to mackerels and related fishes. These terms trace back to Latin caballus, meaning 'horse' — the same root that produced English cavalier, chevalier, and chivalry through French. The word thus belongs to a small family of fish names built on equine imagery, reflecting the animal's strength or vigor in folk naming traditions.
Related word forms
How cavalla is actually used
Mostly used in regional American English, especially along the Gulf Coast and in the Caribbean; elsewhere the fish is usually called a crevalle jack or simply a jack.
Easily confused with cavalla
Cabala (also spelled kabbalah) is a Jewish mystical tradition, while cavalla is a fish of the jack family.
The cobia is a different game fish entirely; the cavalla is the crevalle jack, a member of the Carangidae.